I’m not trying to make this like a new years resolution thing – more so I want to start myself off properly. So far, between then and now, I’m working on completing everything thats been on my to-do list for years so I don’t have those things hanging over me anymore. I’m scheduling doctor/dentist visits and (hopefully) starting out with a clean sheet. I’m splurging a little and buying a few of the things I’ve always wanted to facilitate my hobbies, one of which includes some time with a personal trainer so I can dial in my exercise routines.
Without knowing me I know its hard to come up with specifics, but if you have any general ideas to help me to cruise into 40 with confidence, let me know what you think. My 20s and 30s were…sloppy. I want 40s to kick ass.
Edit to add: For those 40+, whats something you wish you had started/stopped/learned/tried to do at the time in your life you were turning 40 (or younger for that matter). Lots of great suggestions so far, thanks everyone.
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Start exercising. Start slow. Start easy. Start now.
Check this message in ten years and either thank me or feel stupid.
Stretch. Take care of your back and knees
In your 40s, you either commit to fitness, or you commit to injury and illness. There is no third option.
Absolutely get your diet and exercise routine dialled in. It’s worth the effort in how you look and feel.
And remember, 40’s still your prime. As long as you look after yourself.
Google “Camino de Santiago Frances”.
It’s a long pilgrimage in Spain spamming about 40-45 days. I did it at 40 and honestly it’s been one of the best decisions of my life. People of all ages do it, but 40 is that perfect sweet spot of not too young where you don’t have life experience and not too old where you’re in your twilight years and not much large pivots can be done.
Although it’s a religious pilgrimage, I would say only about 30% who do it are religious. Don’t let that stop you. I took a work sabbatical, And I would do it again in a heart beat.
The whole journey just gives you complete clarity. On your life. What’s working. and more importantly, what’s missing. A lot of people use it to reset after a traumatic death or life decision. But that’s not required.
I did it and would recommend doing it with phone off. I had mine on my person in case of emergency, but it was in airplane mode the whole time.
It’s hard to explain what makes it so great. The best way I could describe it is that it gives you human experiences that are essential, but sadly have been lost in today’s modern world.
Play and spend more time with your kids/ loved ones if you have them.
Choose a favorite over the counter pain med.
Team naproxen baby!
Keep your social connection strong. Make an effort. They will start disappearing as friends start their own families, move away, and you start going out less.
Find new and enjoyable interests/hobbies and continue the ones you have. Some hobbies might die off due to the decreased physical abilities (for instance sports like basketball or snowboarding).
This goes for any age – limit your screen time usage on trivial stuff like social media, video games, porn which are a epidemic problem for men today and their loneliness and happiness in life.
40 is awesome for men. No one expects you to be anyone other than yourself anymore
Start getting your eyes checked regularly because you’ll need reading glasses soon, fun stuff!
I took up Yoga sometime in my 30s but was an irregular practitioner. I had the good fortune of turning 40 right before COVID and then had two pretty sedentary years of working from home or only going to the office a few times a week that caught up with me, I started “feeling old” for the first time in my life. Going on two years of consistent practice now and easily feel ten years younger.
Dietary and exercise habits are arguably number one, and with a bit of wisdom and experience I would argue that doing something full body and mobility oriented like Yoga is foundational in terms of keeping your body from feeling old and stiff and sore, especially if you have an office job or otherwise generally inactive and sedentary daily life.
Every guy should own a Porsche at least once in their life. Buy used, get a PPI.