As your host on the Midlife Fulfilled podcast, I am deeply committed to bringing you stories from people who can impact your life. My conversation with Allan Misner in episode 172 brings to light a message that resonates deeply with me: the imperative of investing in fitness for long term health.
It all started for Allan when he realized the importance of fitness as we age – a testament I’ve lived by and experienced firsthand. As I embrace my age in my 60s with “age pride,” I can attest to the benefits of fitness that allow me to engage in physical tasks and activities with relative ease and confidence.
As an example, my fitness serves me well when I do yard work at home. Sometimes the yard work involves lifting trimming equipment shoulder level and above my shoulders. While I admit lifting anything above my shoulders for more than a few minutes takes some effort, I can do it because I am “fit for task.”
My experiences and Allan’s insights are testimonies of fitness being more than just a routine; it’s about cultivating an ‘I can’ mindset that weaves physical activity into the very fabric of our daily lives. Allan’s brand, 40 Plus Fitness, and his wellness resources shine a spotlight on the small, consistent investments we can make in our health. I’ve learned about Allan’s transformative journey from a corporate vice president to a personal trainer where his lifestyle is enriched with health and vigor, and it inspires the same potential for change in your life if you need it, or someone you know who needs the change.
When it comes to fitness, it all starts with your “why.” You have to have a reason. Otherwise, you won’t make fitness a priority. You won’t say to yourself “I can.”
Your why should be your why. My why is not your why. You need your own why to make fitness a priority.
As for me, my why is threefold.
- I know that fitness is good for my health. I’m often told at doctor appointments that my resting heart rate is like that of an athlete.
- I want to be able to do the tasks I need to do. Whether that’s helping family or friends move, pressure washing my pool cage, or going kayaking on choppy water, I want to be able to do all of it.
- I want to feel good. I admit this one is selfish. I feel good about being fit. And, I like how it feels.
I don’t need to search for motivation to make fitness a priority. These three reasons are all the motivations that I need.
For Allan, his “why” was about being a participant in his daughter’s athletic adventures and being there for his future grandkids, and maintaining his independence in his later years. Allan and I have a shared vision of never succumbing to the embarrassment that comes with lost physical capabilities that are within our control.
Allan explained on the podcast how corrective exercises and functional training aren’t just terms but are necessary responses to the ailments of sedentariness and ‘tech neck’ – some of the demons of the modern era. Fitness can counter these and help sidestep the litany of movement issues that arise from them. We can look at the vivacious energy of legendary rock stars like Mick Jagger (80 years old) and Rod Stewart (79 years old) to understand that age doesn’t have to be a limit. The “I can” mindset is the reason anyone stays fit in our midlife years.
I am alarmed by some of the statistics – how 60% of Americans don’t meet the minimum exercise requirements – 30 minutes, three times per week – and the concerning trajectory of obesity rates pointing to nearly half of Americans will be obese by 2030. This foreshadows a future that we can change starting now, one movement at a time. Through strategies such as auditing how you spend your time, capturing micro-moments of exercise throughout your day, or perhaps even getting an adjustable desk, you can inject activity into your life with reasonable effort.
In my 2020 midlife research study, the number one desire by respondents was to improve their physical fitness.
I’m updating this research with my 2024 midlife fulfilled research study. You can participate anonymously in this survey here.
I am witness to the eagerness to improve fitness among others in midlife not just as a podcast host but as a fellow midlife individual on the same journey as you. This is why I challenge you to engage with our episodes, participate in the fulfillment survey, and absorb the wisdom of experts like Allan.
Together, let’s cultivate a culture of health and vitality that extends well beyond our 40s and 50s, into a fulfilling life at every stage.
If you stumbled upon this blog post, I invite you to subscribe to our midlife fulfillment journey here at the Midlife Fulfilled podcast for more inspiration and actionable take-aways. Remember, it starts with an ‘I can’ mindset. So, can I count on you to take that first step towards a more fulfilling life?
Until next time, let’s keep moving, and keep living our best midlife.
