These Athletes Are Living Proof That Age Should Never Hold You Back

Yes, you can get—and stay—healthy at any age, and these senior athletes show you how. What are the National Senior Games? Courtesy Andrea Mabry/Invision for Humana/AP Images Every other year since 1987, the National Senior Games Association has put on an sporting event for athletes aged 50 and up—and some are even in their hundreds. In an Olympic-like event, participants compete for...

Science has found an easy way to motivate to move, and it’s «ruff» in all the right ways. wavebreakmedia/shutterstockWhatever your age, staying active is super-important, not just for weight control but also for these health benefits. For older adults, regular physical activity can prevent many of the health problems that seem to come with age. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend...

She’s been running marathons for 50 years and won’t stop now. Andrea Mabry/Invision for Humana/AP Images At 70 years old, Kathrine Switzer has run 40 marathons in her life—and she has no intention of stopping anytime soon. Switzer first came to the public eye in 1967, when she was the first woman to run the Boston Marathon. Back then, she had...

Instead of envying 20-somethings for their ability to seemingly keep weight off with zero effort, follow these tips to help speed up your metabolism. Drink more H2O iStock/Bogdan Kosanovic Ensuring you get the proper amount of water every day is probably one of the oldest health tricks in the book, but it’s not just because it keeps our skin hydrated...

Pounding the pavement does more than keep you fit, it could actually add years to your life. Jaromir Chalabala/ShutterstockPhysical inactivity is to blame for six percent of premature deaths and is the fourth leading global risk factor for death after high blood pressure, smoking, and high blood glucose. Running is one of the easiest and most accessible forms of exercise...

Being over 50 isn’t too late to get in shape. Here’s a look at myths you should never believe about fitness at mid-life. Myth: I haven’t exercised my whole life—it’s too late to start Dmitry-Sheremeta/ShutterStock The one thing to remember is that you’re never too old to start exercising. “There is no expiration date on our body’s ability to benefit...

Need a little motivation? These people will inspire you not just to live your best life at any age but also to seize the moment and achieve fitness you never thought possible. I lost 160 pounds so I could do a cartwheel for my daughter Courtesy Patricia Jenkins As a busy mother of five, Patricia Jenkins, 54, of Zachary, Louisiana,...

There’s no reason you can’t get in the best shape of your life after the age of 50, but you should use some caution, especially if you haven’t worked out consistently or have a few injuries behind you. Age is just a number Olena Yakobchuk/Shutterstock Or at least to some extent: If you’ve been consistently active for decades and work...

Getty ImagesPull-ups behind your head are going to strain your shoulders. Face it, you’re not 20 anymore. By LINDAMELONE Working out the same way in your 50s as you did in your 30s sets you up for a world of hurt. Changes in flexibility, muscular strength, bone density and recovery time make injuries more likely if you don’t adjust accordingly....

Never ever quit on your stickball team, for your health. He’s a stock character in plenty of movies, in some form or another. The 20-something former high school star athlete, donning his letterman jacket in perpetuity, reminiscing about the championship runs of yore. Frequently, he’s a kind of sad character, an embodiment of overdone nostalgia and an inability to move...