Okay, so there are times that it feels like forty is old, but in reality, it's the new twenty! I recently heard that and my heart soared. And then, I realized that I had to participate in making it that way...That is where getting into better shape with diet and exercise began to become more than a dream. It became an ambition, an attainable goal, and now it's actually a hobby! I wouldn't have believed it a year ago, but it's true. Although it's easy to want to get fit and jump into the fitness zone full force, there are some considerations that the person over forty should keep in mind.

1--You aren't REALLY twenty anymore.

2--Your body has aged, including your muscles, joints, and bones.

3--You can injure yourself and your recovery time if you do may not be as short as it once was.

4--Your body may need more in the way of vitamins and supplements than it once did in order to function at top performance.

The following are some tips that will get you on your way to achieving your fitness goals without injuring yourself, giving up, or losing your motivation!

*Take your time at first. Don't incorporate too many new things at once. This way, if something that you do causes you more than normal discomfort or even pain, you will be able to narrow down what the cause of the problem is much easier.

*Don't skip the stretching both before and after your workout! It's easy to want to get right to the fun stuff and then be done when you're done, but don't do it. This is the cause of many strains and pains.
*Be sure that you are feeding your muscles with a good whey protein to aide in muscle recovery after your workout.
*Take your vitamins, especially calcium and vitamin D for women.
*To keep your motivation up, make a goal list with both long and short-term goals that are attainable, but still challenging.
*Get an Ipod and put music on it that will keep you humming along. Try the music that you were listening to in those younger years and you'll notice that you begin to feel the way you did then.
*Get yourself a new workout outfit. This will be effective in keeping you going as you will want to wear it. If possible, invest in one that will complement your body type and increase your confidence level.
*Try a new class every so often. Tai Chi, spinning, kickboxing, pilates, yoga, power bodybuilding...there is something for everyone.
*Get a workout partner if you prefer to have company and a motivator. When one of you is ready to give up, the other can encourage and cheer them on. It also makes working out less of a chore and more of a treat.
*Get a fitness journal so that you can keep track of the progress you've made. You'll be amazed at how far you get when you look back at where you started.

Getting fit over forty is not only possible, but it is wonderful! You will feel more confident, healthier, and your energy level will increase. There is no limit to what you can do if you set your mind to it. Take proper precautions to prevent injuries and have fun. The results you see and feel will be well worth the work you put in.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2265491/simple_fitness_tips_for...