Welcome to Strength for the Journey! This is the place where I dive into the real ups and downs of fitness and personal growth. In this latest episode, I’m opening up about my own experiences and sharing some practical advice on how to navigate your fitness journey over 40. My biggest goal for you today is a simple reminder: starting small can lead to massive changes over time.
The Power of Imperfect Action
I’ll be honest with you—I’ve really struggled with creating content for this podcast. But through that struggle, I’ve leaned into the idea of “imperfect action”. (Check out Ep. 002 for more on what that means) If you’ve ever felt paralyzed by the fear of not doing things perfectly, this episode is for you. I want to encourage you to start your fitness journey right now, even if you feel uncertain.
Tracking My Progress with Small Changes
I’m also giving you an update on my own training. Lately, I’ve been focusing on how tiny, incremental changes lead to substantial progress. For example, I recently bumped my cardio from 20 to 30 minutes, twice a week. It’s a small adjustment, but it’s a perfect illustration of how consistency is the real key to hitting your goals.
Should You Workout on Your Birthday?
I’ve been reflecting on the dilemma of whether to exercise on special occasions like birthdays. I’ve found a balance between taking a well-deserved break and sticking to my routine. It’s all about how the choices we make today impact our “future selves” and fostering a mindset for long-term well-being.
Finding My “Just Right” Challenge in my Fitness Journey over 40
I’ve also been experimenting with my cardio levels to find the right difficulty. I recently tried Peloton’s incline classes and found a workout that really challenges me without causing burnout. Remember, fitness isn’t one-size-fits-all; it’s about tailoring your exercise to your own capabilities.
From the Classroom to the Gym
I often draw parallels between my background in teaching and my current role as a personal trainer. So many clients come to me feeling “broken,” and I’ve made it my mission to meet them exactly where they are. Building confidence is the first step toward growth, especially if you’ve been struggling with self-doubt.
Your Personal Fitness Assessment (Over 40)
To help you figure out exactly where you are on your journey, I’m introducing four simple assessments specifically for those of us over 40:
- 30-Second Chair Stands
- A One-Mile Walk
- Single-Leg Balance
- Sit-to-Rise Test
These tests give you valuable insight into your physical abilities. My advice? Focus on your current status—don’t compare yourself to others or even your past self.
Final Thoughts
Fitness is a deeply personal journey that requires a lot of patience and self-compassion. If you take one thing away from this episode, let it be this: small, consistent efforts lead to big progress. Embrace where you are right now, set some realistic goals, and let’s build a sustainable path to health and strength together.
Listen to the full episode now to dive deeper into these tips!
