Six things I tell every person over 40 to start doing

At some point after 40, things just change a little.

You don’t recover as fast. Energy isn’t always there when you want it.

And if you’re like most people, you’ve spent a lot of years putting everything else ahead of yourself.

I see it all the time.

But here’s the deal: This isn’t the time to slow down. It’s the time to get intentional about how you’re living.

I’ve worked with a lot of people in this stage of life, and the ones who feel good, move well and actually enjoy their life aren’t doing anything crazy. They’re just doing a few simple things consistently.

Here’s what I tell them.

Get outside at least twice a week

I’m not talking about anything extreme here. Just get outside for 20 minutes. Walk. Sit. Breathe.

There’s something about fresh air and sunlight that just resets you. I’ve had people tell me it clears their head more than anything else they do all week. It’s simple, but most people don’t do it.

If you asked me to pick one thing that matters most, this is it.

We start losing muscle as we get older. That’s just reality. And when that goes, everything gets harder. You don’t need to push yourself excessively in the gym. Just be consistent. And focus on strength. Lift weights. A few good workouts each week go a long way.

I’ve seen people completely change how they move and feel just by sticking with this.

Learn something every day, even if it’s just 10 minutes

This one doesn’t get talked about enough.

Read a few pages. Listen to a podcast. Watch something that teaches you something. An intentional 10 minutes a day doesn’t sound like much, but it adds up fast. More importantly, it keeps you growing. And that matters.

Eat breakfast and get more protein than you think you need all day
Most people I work with are under-consuming protein. Not even close.
Start your day with something solid, such as eggs, yogurt or a shake. Keep it simple. It helps your energy, helps with cravings and supports everything you’re trying to do physically. You don’t have to overcomplicate it. Just be more intentional.

Find your tribe
This is a big one.
If you’re around people who don’t care about their health, it’s going to be hard for you to care about yours. But when you’re around people trying to improve, something shifts. You show up more. You stay consistent. It doesn’t have to be a big group. Just find your people.

Write down your BHAG and do something about it every week
Your Big Hairy Audacious Goal. The thing you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t acted on yet.

Write it down. Make it real. Then, each week, do one thing that moves you closer. That’s it. One thing. That’s how it starts.

None of this is complicated. But most people don’t do it consistently. You don’t need a complete life overhaul. Just start with one or two of these and build from there. Because the goal isn’t just to get older. It’s to feel good while you’re doing it.

Chad Cannon is a Health & Fitness Coach, Success Coach and the owner of the CannonFit Transformation Center in Bluffton. For information go to www.CannonFit.com.