How To Stay In Shape as You Get Older
Yes, you can stay in shape even as you are getting older. It may take a little more effort, but the benefits are obvious. It will make you look younger, feel more energetic and help you live longer.
Revolt Against the Dad Bod. As I’ve become a father, this has become one of my mantra’s. It’s currently in my Twitter Bio. It’s not just advice for those who follow me. It’s also a reminder to keep pushing myself, to stay healthy, and to stay in athletic shape.
There are some very loud voices on social media shouting about “body positivity.” Part of this is the praise of the “Dad Bod.” Picture Seth Rogan. This is nothing to be proud of. This body is a sign of laziness and apathy, not fatherhood. It sets a bad example for your kids and for other men. The Dad Bod is a result of unhealthy diet and lifestyle choices. And it is completely avoidable.
So How Do You Stay In Shape As You Get Older?
Lift weights. Lifting weights will make you look better., make you stronger and help lift your mood.
Many think that running is the best way to lose weight. This is a lie. It’ll help you improve endurance and burn some calories. But weightlifting is often more effective. Muscle will passively burn more calories than fat. And as you lift more, you gain more muscle.
Cardio will burn more calories than weight lifting during the workout. This is why most people believe running is the best way to lose weight. Weightlifting builds muscles and muscles burn more calories at rest. Weight lifting will help you burn calories every day. Cardio will only help you burn calories while you’re training.
80% Diet 20% Exercise
You can’t outrun your fork. Working out has it’s obvious benefits, but you need to focus on eating right first and foremost. (Even though I put exercise about diet in this post)
When you’re young, you can eat whatever you want. You have a higher metabolism and you’re constantly on the move. Children are typically more active than men. Though iPhones and Tablets make me question if this is still true.
As you get older, you need to take your diet more seriously. Your biggest enemy is sugar. Sugar is like the Vietcong. It’s sneaky, hidden all over the place, and it’s trying to kill you. That bread for your sandwich? It has sugar in it. That condiment you put on everything? Sugar is in it. The juice that you claim is healthy? Loaded with as much sugar as soda.
Sugar will make you gain weight, can lead to diabetes or heart disease and can even lead to depression.
Find a Healthy Hobby
You’re not always going to be motivated to go for a run or hit the gym. But if you can add an element of fun to your workouts, you’ll be more consistent. I train in martial arts 3 times a week. I break a sweat while having fun. And I train with other people. This provides a level of accountability. If I miss a session, someone will reach out and check on me.
The thing most people get wrong is they diet for 6 weeks and train really hard to lose weight. Then they quit and go back to their old habits. And they are shocked when they put the weight back on. Staying in shape as you get older isn’t a weekend retreat. It’s a lifestyle.
If you want to stay in shape as you get older, you’re going to have to create healthy habits, stick to a healthy diet and learn to say no to cakes, beers and all the temptations that your friends, family and coworkers will throw at you.
Getting older is no excuse to accept the “Dad Bod.” Don’t believe the propaganda about women preferring the Dad Bod. This is wishful thinking at best and willful ignorance at worst. It’s a man’s duty to be a good example for his kids and for his community. Men are meant to be strong. Revolt against the Dad Bod.
If you enjoyed this, follow me on Twitter for more @RealRyanFogel