Stretching

I’m not talking about a stretching class. I’m talking the type of simple passive movement of sitting on the floor at home, lean forward, side to side, twist and rotate, and move your body any and all ways you can think of. If you don’t allow your joints to move through full range of motion, they will reduce movement range of motion. Do this every day.

Strengthen

I’m not talking about the weight room. I’m talking sit-ups on the living room floor and push ups on your knees or toes. You can do these every single day. Add to this some bodyweight deep full knee bend squats. These three simple movements will create movement in the following joints: wrist, elbow, shoulder, scapula, spine, ankles, knees and lower back. Theses movement will preserve your valuable muscle strength and preserve lean body mass in your forearms, biceps, triceps, back, shoulder, chest, abs, thighs, calves and lower back.

Keep Moving

With aging, there is decreased natural physical activity. This might account for two or three percent of the daily movement that occurs during most of our younger years. When you turn 40, I think this has been reduced to zero. You could replace this by everyday performing the movements previously described. You have to put movement back in your life. This has nothing to do with organized exercise or going to the health club.

Mommy With A Body

Here is a note for women. As you turn 40, hormone levels begin to decline. But from my un-scientific field observational research, some of the best exercise bodies I’ve ever judged in competition or witness in general have been females in their late 30s and early 40s who have kids. In the sport of women’s bikini and figure, a large percent of the highest placed finishers are near 40 and over.

For more information about maintaining an active lifestyle, visit villageclubs.com.

Source: Kevin Shepard, certified personal trainer and nutritionist at DC Ranch Village Health Club

Scottsdale Living Magazine Summer 2012