Question:
Hi Anna, I am an active 53 year old man who works out daily. Is there anything I should be aware of doing (or not doing) as I get older that will be of benefit or harm me in the long run?
From D.G.
Answer:
Dear D.G.,
The fact that you're active daily is great. The most important thing is that what you're doing is working for you. If you feel good, and you're not in pain, you'll have two main concerns. One is that you're getting what you want from your workouts related to how you want to look and, more importantly, for health and longevity, your concern will be maintaining, or even developing joint mobility and muscle flexibility.
As we get older, muscle can sustain itself with resistance training, however flexibility is lost at a very rapid rate, which can promote injury and contribute to a more sedentary lifestyle. When we look at older populations, poor range of motion in movement, muscle stiffness and joint pain are prevalent. It would be in your best interest to look into some mobility and joint stability training like yoga or Pilates.
The best fitness comes from healthy living, in general; healthy eating, restful sleep and continued physical activity. Reducing alcohol consumption is more important with aging, as for men especially, attention to liver health is crucial. Regular physical check-ups with your doctor are paramount, with heart attacks and heart malfunction peaking (even in active males) ages 40-60.
At any age, it's important to get the right supplementation. That can be anything from vitamins for optimal mental and physical performance, to glucosamine and MSM, for achy joints. Make sure to consult an informed health professional before introducing supplements.
Thanks for your question!
Anna | 
