To be so lazy and put getting fit off?

[thebeespyjamas]

I'm 40. I am so very unfit. I am fortunate enough to look good but I can't pick up my 6 year old daughter for long, I can't do a pull up, I get out of breath easily.

I am so lazy. I won't do it at home. I won't go to a gym. But I do want to, yes it's a real bane of my life. I want to be fit for my daughter.

So, can you get fit after 40 or is my time gone?

Worst case scenario what if I only start at 45? If I then build up to being able to do a 10K run and a pull up? Is that even possible?

Ugh.

Can you find ways to build some exercise into your daily life and then build from there.

I find it very hard to schedule exercise, but if I’m walking the dc to school, it gets me moving enough to want to move a bit more.

Or find a good series on Netflix and only watch it while running on treadmill/rebounding/ dancing in the living room.

ime once you get past the stage of having to sit down panting after a minute, you start doing a bit more. But sometimes you have to trick yourself a bit to get there.

I’ve just turned 60. I do body pump, salsa or Zumba, body conditioning and swimming. You need to make time to exercise in your (online) diary and stick to it. It helps if you join a gym with regular classes you can book, where you can also meet people, and use tech to monitor your progress. You will soon look forward to going and will gain confidence when you start to feel you have more stamina and can see a change in your body, lift heavier weights, go longer without getting breathless, etc. Honestly, it really is worth it!

I'm with you , OP. I've been meaning to do couch-2-5K for 2 years now but have yet to get off the couch!!!
I used to walk for miles and do 1-2 yoga classes per week!! Now, nada! Can't motivate myself.

I can't imagine not doing any e erciseornot actually wanting to but each tother own.

OP, I'm the fittest I've been at 45 and regularly run 10-15 miles a week plus several gym sessions and power walks. If you want to get fitter than you are, why put it off until you're 45? Start now, who knows what might happen to you in the next few years...

I started an outdoor bootcamp 4 days a week last year, I'm 2 stone lighter toned and the fittest I've ever been. I'm 45 this year. I feel so much better about myself and I'm glad a got my shit together and started going. As someone who absolutely hates exercise this is something I love and will keep doing. Find something enjoyable and go for it.

You can start later, but it'll be easier if you start now. You're thinking about it wrong though, if you're waiting to feel motivated before you start. You won't! Your motivation will come AFTER you've started. So you just need to grit your teeth to begin. Try a few different things and find out what you like.

If you're female then doing a pull up isn't a sign of being unfit, they're difficult and not something many women can do. If that is a goal of yours though, you'd need to do strength training (with heavy weights) which realistically means some sort of gym or classes. It's not the only way to get fit though.

There's some similar threads in the Exercise topic.

Walking is an easy place to start. Brisk walking to get you out of breath. Hills are particularly good.

I did C25k when I could finally walk without limping when DS was a baby. 9 months of SPD meant I was panting at normal functional walking, and that needed sorting.

Body weight strength work is another good place to start. There's loads on youtube. It's good to do a mix of cardio and strength as they have different but mutually compatible benefits.

I am 43 and run 3 x a week and am about to take up cycling where I can. I am a single parent so finding time isn’t always easy but I prioritise exercise because I know I feel better for it and my mental (and physical) health is important. If I don’t look after me, who will?

I can’t do a pull up either but that has nothing to do with fitness. I also hate gyms and won’t pay to exercise (apart from open water swimming which I also love) but the key is finding something you enjoy (or don’t hate to start with) and that’s different for everyone.

Yep you could do it at 45, but then your Dd is 6 NOW. You have holidays, weekends, picnics, days out, all of which will be more fun for her, and you, if you can play and have active fun.

And you will gain 5 years extra health.

walk, dance, swim. Whatever you do, JFDI!