Amber Cekerevac: Five ways to get and stay fit and healthy above the age of 50

Maintaining fitness as we age is essential for overall wellbeing, especially once we hit the 50-year milestone.

As we age, our bodies naturally experience a slowdown in metabolism, a loss of muscle mass and joint flexibility decreases.

But you can fight all this and improve your health and vitality by being active.

If you’re above the age of 50 and want to get and stay fit and healthy, try these five things:

Low-impact workouts

Our joints might not be as supple or flexible as they were when we were younger.

If you want to improve your cardiovascular health without causing unnecessary strain on your joints, try low-impact activities such as swimming, walking or cycling.

These activities help keep the heart healthy, increase circulation and boost endurance.

Build muscle

Although strength training can’t stop the inevitable loss of muscle mass that comes with ageing, it can aid in the process.

Use resistance bands or light weights in your workouts to develop and keep your muscles strong.

This improves metabolism and increases bone density, reducing the risk of osteoporosis.

Find balance and flexibility

To maintain independence and avoid falls, you need to work on your balance and flexibility.

Yoga and tai chi greatly enhance both.

These activities improve muscle, joint flexibility and concentration.

Emphasis on core strength

A strong core supports better posture, reduces back pai, and improves overall stability.

To strengthen your core, incorporate exercises like Pilates or simple planks.

These exercises protect the spine and improve balance and coordination, making daily movements more effortless and safer.

Be active every day

Use the stairs instead of the lift, walk instead of driving on short trips, or get your hands dirty in the garden.

The cumulative effect of these small, regular efforts is to keep your muscles and metabolism working.

A lifestyle that prioritises mobility, strength and flexibility increases the likelihood of aging well.

Always seek advice from a health professional before beginning a new exercise regime.

Amber Cekerevac is a director, nutritionist and coach at BodyCare Health Club in Albany.