Why it’s Important for Men to Exercise in their 40s
Being a 40 something year old man is not easy; your testosterone levels are on the decline and so your metabolism is slowing down there for the calories do not come off like they used to.
You are also BUSY, you have a fast-paced life to deal with, the demands from your job and from your family takes up all of you time, finding time and motivation to exercise is tricky and not near the top of your priority list.
However, it is extremely important to find a slot for exercise (even if it’s just 20/30 mins) as it is the single most powerful thing you can do for good health and to live long enough to enjoy the rewards of your demanding life. Whether that’s enjoying the money and comfort you have worked for or enjoying/being able to run around with your grandchildren.
We all know about the benefits to heart and lung health that you gain from exercise but there are also less well-known benefits such as type 2 diabetes, bone health, lower risk of cancer and now we are learning that exercise can also help reduce depression for some people. There has also recently been a study which links exercise to a decrease in alcohol consumption. If these reasons are not enough for you to start finding time for exercise here are a few more….
- Reduction in risk of type 2 Diabetes
Exercise helps manage prediabetes and type 2 diabetes by lowering blood glucose levels and improving insulin sensitivity throughout the body. Men who exercise are 39% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes. For more information on diabetes type 2 please click here
- Exercise lowers risk of high blood pressure and lower cholesterol.
As men get older, typically blood pressure goes up and high blood pressure means a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. However, blood pressure can be kept at a lower level through exercise and studies have been done to support this. Like blood pressure, as men age cholesterol levels go up, LDL (bad Cholesterol) moves up and HDL is likely to drop. This combination is a big risk factor for heart disease and stroke. The best way to control this ratio is through diet but also a recent study has shown that consistent regular exercise is associated with good levels of HDL (the good cholesterol).
- Reduction in the risk of colon cancer.
Colon cancer is the top cause of cancer death in males; however, it is also preventable. A healthier is diet will help with prevention, but again exercise is just as important in prevention. Studies have shown that regular exercise will reduce risk by up to 15%.
- Improvements in positive mental health.
It has been proven and there is no doubt that exercise improves your mental health, and this is very important for men because 1 in 8 men will suffer with mental health issues. The reason exercise and helps is because when you exercise your body releases feel good hormones call endorphins the release of these hormones changes your mood and so reducing feelings of anxiety or stress. Exercise also increases your overall energy levels and helps regulate your sleep pattern which in turn also reduced stress and anxiety.
This is all very well but how do you get started and maintain an exercise habit
The best way to start is not to over commit, you won’t maintain 2 hrs at the gym every day so don’t use that as a starting point, and you will get bored of it very quickly. Instead commit to 20 mins of exercise 4 times a week and build it from there gradually. The most important thing is not what you do but make it habitual.
If you want to take things a step future or you are really struggling to get started, then get a local PT to come and see you. Consultations are free and carry no obligations, a home personal trainer can give you not only motivation but a host of ideas so you can exercise on your own at home which is beneficial to your time management. A Personal trainer can also give you nutrition tips and advice on what to do with your 20/30 mins of designated exercise time each day.
For more information about booking a free initial consultation with a home Personal Trainer please click here or email info@arbrookpt.com.
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