Ageing & Energy
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So as I head towards the big 40 I'm now starting to notice some significant slowing down going on physically. I've had to up my gym sessions to 5 mornings a week, (rotating exercise so as not to over-train), as well as limiting beer and carb intake in general just to keep the belly at bay.
What I'm struggling with at the moment is energy especially in the afternoons at work and early evenings. Anyone of a similar or more advanced vintage got any tips on this front?
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I bought a Suunto Ambit years ago and as a result I have years worth of heart rate/ speed etc. data to compare. At around 40 for some reason, speed fell off a cliff. Strength (especially explosive/ plyometric) and size is starting to decline. A genuine effort to control diet and portion size to maintain waist size.
It's entirely natural and exercising is solely to make the curve of decline more obtuse.
Doesn't help that I "enjoy" life more...
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@rembrandt said in Ageing & Energy:
So as I head towards the big 40 I'm now starting to notice some significant slowing down going on physically. I've had to up my gym sessions to 5 mornings a week, (rotating exercise so as not to over-train), as well as limiting beer and carb intake in general just to keep the belly at bay.
What I'm struggling with at the moment is energy especially in the afternoons at work and early evenings. Anyone of a similar or more advanced vintage got any tips on this front?
Beer
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Seriously though, learn to change your pace.
I'm not exactly extra fit, I'm over 50, don't work out, but make sure I have enough energy to do things I enjoy like snowboarding, mountain biking, tramping/climbing etc by pacing myself when doing them.
When young you tend to 'attack' physical activity and get away with it due to the energy levels you are searching for. Just kick back a bit and do things at a steadier pace. Half the time you shoot past youngsters that run out of puff anyway. -
I'm 39 and weight training is my focus for staying healthy etc. Not the greatest around eating well so I'm still rocking a wee belly. But the biggest factors energy-wise are sleep and making sure I eat something within a couple hours of training.
I train in the early evening and that works well. Although it does involve a bit of pre-workout from time to time
You are getting some good work done - 5 days/week def shows you are putting in the effort! But does your current training light your fire? or are you working out because you think you should be?
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@paekakboyz said in Ageing & Energy:
I'm 39 and weight training is my focus for staying healthy etc. Not the greatest around eating well so I'm still rocking a wee belly. But the biggest factors energy-wise are sleep and making sure I eat something within a couple hours of training.
I train in the early evening and that works well.
All of that applies to me as well
I work from home so I've had the luxury of trying different lifting times. Early evening is by far the best for me energy wise.
I think a lot of it can be keeping mentally stimulated too
One thing I changed up this year was shorting my workout time but increasing the intensity. Previously I'd lift for 40-45 mins and the break between sets would be as vary.. the quality of lifts would drop midway through a session and I would be going through the motions
I've changed that to ~30mins with timed breaks and I graph everything. My brain reacts well to being regimented like that and the energy levels seem higher because everything seems to have more of a purpose.
Another thing I like about the early evening lifting is you find yourself mentally preparing throughout the afternoon.. just thinking about what number i'd like to hit etc. Whenever I've tried mornings or lunch it's just turned into a grind for me
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@Duluth reckon it takes even more discipline when training at home - those tricks around staying stimulated are really good.
I'm learning Olympic lifting, which is a whole new range of skills and asking my body to X, Y and Z. Nothing like a challenge to keep you focused!! Would definitely suggest writing down what you do (this forum is perfect!) as that lets you reflect longer-term over goals and stuff.
