It seems like there are always debates and opinions floating around about when a woman is too old to wear a bikini. According to one recent posting, women my age should not be wearing a bikini. Do I agree? No.
Instead of focusing on age appropriateness in wearing a bikini, we should address the issue from a fitness standpoint. Rather than ask someone else or adhere to the latest opinion polls, why not ask yourself these questions:
Do I exercise regularly?
Am I eating a healthy diet that is low in saturated fat and contains fruits,
vegetables, and whole grains?
Do I drink enough water each day?
Am I getting sufficient sleep?
Do I have good coping/stress management skills?
Do I have a positive attitude about myself?
Am I getting enough vitamins and minerals?
Do you have a positive attitude about life in general?
If you have maintained a healthy lifestyle, and keep yourself fit, then age is irrelevant.
With that said, did you know that for each decade after the age of 25, 3 to 5% of muscle mass is lost due to changes in lifestyle and the decreased use of muscles? After the age of 40, you lose 1 percent per year! Also, did you know that with normal aging, our maximal oxygen uptake, (VO² Max -our total capacity to consume oxygen), declines at approximately 8 to 10% per decade after age 30? What does that mean to you? A reduction in aerobic capacity/cardio-respiratory fitness. The good news is that aerobic capacity and muscle strength can be improved at any age. In addition, by following a regular strength program, older adults who were previously sedentary, reported having significant strength gains according to recent studies.
There is no question that age plays a role in the way we look, and that is why we need to commit to a healthy lifestyle in order to feel good about ourselves in whatever we wear.
(Note: The "2" in VO²Max should be in subscript form, but I don’t know how to do that….maybe I am just too old!)
Sources: American Council on Exercise-Ace Personal Trainer Manual, 3rd Edition; Framework: Your 7-Step Program for Healthy Muscles, Bones, and Joints; Author: Nicholas A. DiNubile,MD with William Patrick
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