Toning Up After 40 Years

Figured today I would simply share a message I sent in reply to an old highschool friend today.  She had contacted me via FaceBook asking for a bit of help on "toning up".

As with many to most of us, a need arises for toning up after 40 years of age.

I shot her back a few simple keys based on the small amount of information she shared with me (I may provide another info blog as details of her condition, needs, and goals materialize).   
Many of these may be valuable to you as well, so take a read through and know you are capable of toning up after 40 years of gravity wearing you down.

Dear My High School Friend (after 40 years)

1. 1. Resistance training is EXTREMELY important, especially for women. Vital for bone density, function, and body composition. It's a must do whether you want to gain or lose inches.
   
2. 2. When it comes to exercise, the best comes down to whatever you REALLY will do. Most, including my sorry ass, say we will spend X minutes, X days per week, doing X activities and it's often way off...... So, give yourself a real heart to reality talk and figure out what you can, will, and want to do consistently
   
3. 3. You can do an awful lot from home with a couple items. Actually, can do tons with nothing but a couple cheap ones are helpful - stability ball (55cm), 1-3 tubing with handles, yoga mat, adjustable dumbbells.... If you want a specific exercise let me know what you have and we can talk about it.
   
4. 4. We all have our various medical issues at some point. Not being there to do a full assessment with you but knowing there was some significant health issue a couple years back, you NEED to be in contact with your doctor prior to any significant activity changes. Medical history & various meds can directly effect cardiovascular and physiological function (you remember from that BSN program ;-)
   
5. 5. Staying generic but wanting you to find the info you are looking for I suggest you sign up for the RSS on Amy's blog. She's way smarter than me at all aspects of health & wellness. Here is a link to one of her blog posts from a year ago that may be of interest to you. (tip - i know she's required herself to answer any questions posed there, so feel free)

My friend liked the response.  Hopefully you find some use from it to. - http://is.gd/b9X8w