It's tough to keep up the motivation to exercise consistently as we age. It's also understandable that people tend to put their health on the back burner as they become more and more consumed by work, family, and other commitments. The truth is that it gets harder to maintain a healthy weight as we age. Many stop exercising once they hit 40 or 50 because they feel there's no point in trying to continue what used to work before. However, the number of benefits for maintaining a healthy lifestyle does not decrease with age. In fact, there are a number of reasons why you should keep exercising after 40. Here are some great benefits that will help motivate you today!

Exercise as a mantra of well being

The importance of exercise as we age is one of the most important reasons why you should keep it up. It helps to maintain the physical and mental well-being of those who partake in it.

Aerobic exercises such as cycling, running, and swimming are excellent forms of exercise for those over 40 years old. Those activities that involve lifting weights or using resistance machines can also be helpful to those over 40 years old because they help to increase bone density and lessen the risk of injury.

Exercise is important for those over 40 because it helps to maintain a healthy weight, prevent obesity, and improve or maintain strength and endurance.

Improve your mental health

Aerobic exercise has been shown to improve mental health. A number of studies have found that it can help reduce anxiety, depression, and the risk of developing dementia. Additionally, it can decrease chronic stress levels by up to 47 percent!

Exercise is a natural mood elevator. As we age, our bodies produce less endorphins and serotonin, which make us feel better. Regular exercise can increase your body's production of these hormones and put you in a better mood.

It's also a great way to counter the effects of aging on your brain! For example, people who exercise regularly are less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease later in life.

In fact, one study found that older adults who exercised three times a week had the same cognitive function as those who were 10 years younger!

No risk of disease

One of the many reasons why you should continue exercising after 40 is the potential it has to reduce your risk of disease. Regular exercise can help prevent or delay chronic diseases, such as heart disease and cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). When you're carrying around more weight than you should be, your risk of developing these diseases increases—and that's not good for any aspect of your life.

Regular exercise can also help protect against diabetes and other chronic issues, like arthritis. If you're living a healthy lifestyle and keeping up with an exercise routine, you may be able to ward off these terrible conditions before they start creeping up on you.

Energy levels boosted

A great benefit of exercise is that it increases your energy levels. Exercise will give you the stamina and endurance to perform the activities of your day more easily. It can also help you maintain a healthy weight, which will be beneficial for your energy levels since fat cells produce more cortisol than other cells in the body.

It's easy to get too tired and lethargic during the day and it's not just because we're getting older. It's due to our sedentary lifestyles where we spend most of our time sitting at a desk, hunched over a computer, or driving in traffic. Exercising increases blood circulation and oxygen flow throughout your body which helps to provide you with much-needed energy!

Keep your muscles strong

As we age, our muscles weaken and it becomes difficult to maintain a healthy weight. Exercise is the best way to combat this natural process.

Exercise keeps your muscles strong by increasing blood flow and growth hormone levels in the body. It also reduces fat cells and helps regulate hormones that break down muscle tissue. When you exercise your muscles, they are able to repair themselves from damage which creates growth hormones that will build up your muscle fibers.

Stronger bones than ever

Osteoporosis is a major age-related health concern. It's the most common bone disease and its risk increases as you age, but staying active can help reduce this risk significantly.

One study found that the hip bones of people who exercised for at least 30 minutes per day were five times stronger than those who did not exercise at all. Exercise will help you maintain your bone density so you can avoid osteoporosis later in life.

Keep your blood pressure in check

Your blood pressure will decrease as you exercise, which will help manage your weight and lower your stress levels. Exercise is also known to improve physical health, mental health, and emotional well-being. The right amount of exercise can also be the key to reversing the typical decline in muscle mass that accompanies aging.

Increase your chances of living longer

As we age, our metabolism slows down. This causes many of us to gain weight and lose muscle tone. However, regular exercise can help slow this process and combat the natural aging process.

Exercise not only helps you maintain a healthy weight, but it also helps increase bone mass and improve your mental health. It's been shown that people who exercise have higher levels of self-esteem and lower rates of depression. Exercise also has been linked to a decrease in mortality rates among older adults.

If you want to live a longer life, the best thing you can do is get up and start moving!

A big no to heart diseases

Aerobic activity is one of the best ways to prevent heart disease. If you're 40 or older, don't stop exercising just because your body doesn't move as quickly as it used to. You still have time to reap the benefits that exercise can provide!

Exercise improves blood flow to your heart. And this will help decrease your risk of developing conditions like coronary artery disease, high cholesterol levels, and high blood pressure. All of these can increase your risk for stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. This is especially important if you are over 40, since there are more people who develop these conditions than younger adults.