10 Health and Fitness Tips for the Over 40s, According to Gladiators’ Hunter

If you’ve reached middle age and need some motivation to get moving, who better to turn to than a personal trainer who had a nine-year run in the hit TV sports show, and was crowned the Ultimate Gladiator in the grand finale.

[Read more: How to get a body like Millie Mackintosh – from her personal trainer]

But don’t worry, you don’t have to train like a gladiator, embark on a 12-week programme of intense exercise or go on a faddy diet to be in the best shape of your life.

James Crossley (aka Hunter) has spent the past 15 years educating clients in ‘age-appropriate’ health and fitness to bring about a balanced and healthy lifestyle, designed to filter into all aspects of your life, acting as a positive influence.

Studies suggest there are a number of myths and truths surrounding health and fitness for those in their forties and beyond, such as ‘with age it becomes increasingly difficult to lose body fat and put on muscle’.

[Read more: How fit are you for your age? See how you match up against our fitness barometer]

However, with the correct lifestyle adjustments combined with training, James says the over forties still have the ability to build muscle and change their body shape, improve energy levels and transform decades of bad habits.

We’re not talking about a quick fix transformation that’s not sustainable, but more long term simple changes that can be made to your daily routine.

Here are James’s top 10 tips…

1. Full Body Workout
Do a full body workout three times a week. The more muscles worked means more calories are burned at rest.

2. Ditch the Sugar
Avoid fizzy and energy drinks and any product packed with sugar. Stick to fresh water and teas.

3. Try Fasted Cardio
Get up 20 minutes earlier and do short forms of exercise on an empty stomach 2-3 times a week.

4. Diet
My best tip is to get a steamer, a simple way to prepare food and keeps calories in check.

[Read more: 6 things you need to know about carbs before deciding they're the enemy]

5. Don’t fear the fat
Good fats from nuts, avocados etc are hugely beneficial.

READ MORE on http://home.bt.com/lifestyle/health/wellness/10-health-and-fitness-tips-for-the-over-40s-according-to-gladiators-hunter-11364161630404