turn back the clock on your health and fitness
Think it’s too late to be fit and healthy in your 60s? Let’s shatter that myth – right now. Get ready to turn back the clock on your health and fitness. It’s time for you to become a Ripped Senior!
Today, we’ll dig into the reasons why people tend to become less fit as they get older. But more importantly, we’ll explore powerful ways to reverse that trend. You’ll hear inspiring stories of people in their 60s who have transformed their lives through fitness. Lastly, we’ll discover the key to unlocking the motivation you need to kickstart your fitness journey.
Declining Fitness is Common Over 60
If you’re over 60 and you’ve packed on a few extra pounds, don’t worry, you’re not alone. A recent CDC survey found that nearly three-quarters of Americans over the age of 60 are overweight. But your growing waistline is not your fault! Well not entirely. Some of the biggest culprits behind your growing girth are the sneaky changes to our bodies that creep up on us as we age.
In our 60s, we face a biological triple threat to our physical fitness. First, we are gradually losing muscle mass, which lowers our strength and our daily calorie burn. Secondly, key hormones decline – hindering our ability to maintain muscle and burn fat. Finally, our metabolism naturally slows down meaning that we need fewer calories for the same level of activity. Couple these physical changes with a less active lifestyle, and it’s not surprising that the extra pounds start piling on.
Great News! reclaim physical fitness after 60
But here’s the great news! Many studies have proven that you can regain physical fitness and live an active, healthy lifestyle even in your 60s and way beyond. In fact, with the right diet and exercise, you can lose fat, build muscle, and gain energy, paving the way for the golden years to truly shine.
Yes, fitness after 60 requires work, but the rewards are astonishing. In his bestselling book “Outlive: The Science & Art of Longevity,” Dr. Peter Attia describes exercise as “a powerful drug that miraculously extends lifespan and improves healthspan”.
- Outlive hard cover: https://geni.us/OutliveHardcover (Amazon)
- Outlive soft cover: https://geni.us/OutlivePaperback (Amazon)
- Outlive audio book: https://geni.us/OutliveAudioBook (Amazon)
Exercise and a healthy diet ward off many age-related health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. And these positive habits bolster your energy levels and enhance your agility, balance, strength, and mobility. All these benefits help you to stay vibrant and active for longer.
And fitness isn’t just good for your body, it’s great for your mind. Regular exercise can safeguard your brain from age-related decline and dementia. And it keeps your mind sharp: improving your memory, attention, and problem-solving. Plus, being physically fit reduces stress and anxiety, and boosts your self-esteem, confidence, and your overall happiness.
but is it too late?
OK, so that all sounds great, but is it too late? Am I too out of shape? Do I have too many health problems? Have I waited too long? The answer to all those questions is a resounding “No, it’s never too late to reboot your fitness”. Again, in his book “Outlive”, Dr. Attia recounts that his own mother started her life-changing weight-training program at age 67!
Here are just a few other examples of ordinary people who proved that it really is never too late:
Ken Campbell
Once sedentary and weighing over 200 lbs, Ken Campbell found unexpected passion in trail running in his 60s. Campbell started with walking and progressed all the way to running ultramarathons – that’s 100 km! Now in his 70s, Campbell finds joy and a sense of belonging running out on the trails.
Joan MacDonald
Joan MacDonald began lifting weights at age 71 after being overweight, diabetic, and on medication. She embarked on a fitness journey, starting with light exercise and evolved into heavy weightlifting. She lost 62 pounds, got off her all medication, and became an Instagram sensation with 1.8 million followers!
Simeon Gipson
Despite polio as a child, two knee replacements, shoulder surgery, and severe diabetes, Simeon Gipson took up cycling at age 62. He biked progressively longer distances leading him to complete a 300-mile ride. Through regular cycling and an improved diet, Gipson shed 75 pounds and drastically reduced his need for medication.
my fitness story
And here’s my story. Up until my mid-forties , I was the poster child for the sedentary lifestyle. I had spent 20 years working as a software engineer, slouching at my desk for hours a day. I was overweight and had an achy back, and I got winded just walking up a couple of flights of stairs. And I wanted to be fit but just couldn’t muster up the motivation to do something about it.
But something shifted as my 20th wedding anniversary approached. My wife Carolyn challenged me to fit back into my wedding suit before we left on our first-ever, all-inclusive Caribbean vacation. For some reason, her challenge sparked a picture in my mind, of me walking on the beach, lean and tanned and looking 20 years younger. Somehow that vision of my future self broke through 20 years of procrastination and ignited my drive to get fit. I joined the local YMCA and started running every day after work. Whenever I grew weary and felt like quitting, I just imagined that picture of “future me”, and it revived my will to persevere.
In 12 weeks, I hit my goal of losing 25 pounds and I felt great. The first day on the beach, Carolyn snapped a picture of me and, later, when I saw it, I said, “That’s it, that’s the picture I envisioned of the future me.”
(I’m actually in much better shape now, 20 years later, than I was in that picture 😆)
start with a powerful vision that inspires you!
So, if you’ve been struggling to find the drive to eat healthily and exercise, just like I was, it’s time to kickstart your journey with a powerful vision that inspires you!
Imagine yourself standing at the finish line of a 10K race, hands raised in triumph. Or maybe you’re easily lifting your grandkids high above your head, laughing as they squeal with delight. Maybe you’re hiking to the peak of a majestic mountain, inhaling the crisp air, feeling the invigorating energy of nature.
Don’t underestimate the power of a potent, personal vision. Picturing your future self doing something you love can spark strong and lasting motivation.
No matter your age or current fitness level, you can embrace fitness as your ‘miracle drug’ for a longer and more vibrant life. Start with a clear picture of a healthier, happier “future you” and let that vision spur you to action. All you need are those first, small steps to set you on the path toward your first, life-changing goal.
Remember, the time to start is now; your future self is waiting!
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Thanks for reading, now go get ripped!
