Why being over 50 can lead to being in the best shape of your life.

Turning 50 is not a barrier to being in the best shape of your life. In fact, when I hit 50, I found that as I age, I become more motivated to take better care of my health and well-being. There are several reasons why turning 50 can be a turning point in our lives to get in the best shape possible:

Focus on nutrition: As we age, our bodies become less efficient at processing certain nutrients, making it more important to eat a healthy, balanced diet. By focusing on nutrition and making sure to get the right mix of protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates, we fuel our body for optimal performance and recovery.

Regular exercise: Exercise is key to maintaining good health at any age, but it becomes even more important as we get older. Regular exercise can help maintain muscle mass, flexibility, and balance, while also reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis.

Avoiding harmful habits: Smoking and excessive drinking (remember, I am an 18 year recovering alcoholic)  can have serious negative effects on a man's health, particularly as he ages. By avoiding these harmful habits and living a healthy, active lifestyle, anyone can greatly improve their overall health and well-being.

Increased activity: As we get older, we may have more free time to pursue hobbies and activities to keep us active and engaged. (In fact, my "running class" is one of the most competitive out there 50-59) . Whether it's hiking, cycling, swimming, or playing sports, staying active will help improve physical fitness, mental health, and our  overall quality of life.

By my focusing on nutrition, regular exercise, avoiding harmful habits, and increasing activity levels, I have gotten into the best shape of my life. While it may take more effort and dedication to maintain good health at my age, the rewards are well worth it. I ran my first sub 6 minute mile at the age of 51, by the age of 52, I ran back to back miles at 5:55 seconds. Proof that dedication and attention to all things I've wrote about above pay dividends if you stick with it.