Hi Everyone! Today we are talking about Embracing Aging After 50: Staying Strong and Fit with Exercise! Quick fixes won't do it once we reach a certain age - instead it's all about making real, meaningful lifestyle changes that will rejuvenate how you feel and look - and pave the way for us to gain control over our health and bodies as we move forward in life!

The good news is that many of these suggestions can and should apply to you if you are in your 50s, 60s or beyond - it's never too late to start leading a healthy, fit lifestyle! When I talk about aging, and how to approach it, I like to break it down into five levels: exercise, nutrition, health, beauty, and mental attitude. (My 10-Week Whole Body Plan has weekly workouts, an eating plan and more, so if you haven't yet started your 7-day free trial, begin today - you will love it and you WILL see results!)

Today I cover exercising after 50, and look for more blog posts this month focusing on the other levels. A complete aging plan for you to adopt into your lifestyle!

The following are three exercise-related tasks I recommend women start doing in their 40s, to help you stay strong and fit after 40 and into your 50s - an important thing to tackle, because every little bit you do WILL make a difference, trust me!

Embracing Aging After 50:

1. Body toning to keep muscles firm. Strong muscles are one of the best defenses against aging: muscle burns three times more calories than fat does! This means when you build up your muscles mass, you are burning more calories even when you are sleeping. Strong muscles also help protect your bones from osteoporosis and can help to improve your posture.  Since the 40s and 50s are when we start to see things droop and sag - and that's OK, it's part of life - incorporating a good body toning routine can help you keep your muscles firm and taut and help to minimize that droop and sag.

The good news is that it is never too late to rebuild muscle, whether you lift hand weights or do push ups or lunges - all will help to build lean muscle that you will use for the rest of your life!

2. Cardio to burn fat from the entire body. Regular cardio exercise is crucial for anyone who wants to live a long, healthy and active life. A regular cardio routine can help you to control your weight, tone your muscles and improve circulation - all important pieces of my embracing aging philosophy! Plus cardio can help you stay regular, it helps regulate your blood sugar levels, can reduce unhealthy blood pressure levels and more - it's no wonder I am such a huge fan of cardio!

The good thing about cardio is that you can squeeze some in every day - take a brisk walk, dance around your living room, do some jumping jacks - every little bit counts, especially if you are squeezed for time and can't fit in an entire cardio workout. Learn more about age-specific cardio exercises I recommend and give them a try - you are worth it!

3. Stretching exercises to stay flexible and lean. Stretching is so important as we age - it helps to pump vital nutrients to your muscles and tendons which keeps them healthy. And as circulation increases, so does your energy - important for all ages! Stretching also helps to lengthen muscles, which can lead to better posture, making you look longer and leaner. The good news is that stretching doesn't have to be time-consuming, just make it a consistent part of your daily routine and you WILL reap the benefits! My DeniseAustin.com membership includes a stretching challenge - give it a try if you haven't yet!

And if you need some help adopting these types of exercises into your lifestyle, I have you covered - start your free trial of DeniseAustin.com today! It has something for everyone: my 10-Week Whole Body Plan will help you tone up, get fit and feel good inside and out, my Eat Like Denise Plan is a quick, fun challenge to eat healthy, my Natural Body Boot Camp will get your blood flowing and boost your metabolism, and more! Start today and join me as I guide you to a healthy, happy you - no matter what your age!

Let's get fitter, together - inside and out,

Denise

P.S. - If you missed any of my other "Embracing Aging" posts, click here to see them:

Embracing Aging After 50: 7 Beauty Routine Suggestions Embracing Aging After 50: It’s All About A Positive Attitude! Embracing Aging After 50: 5 Age-Defying Secrets