Basketball Legend Nancy Lieberman: How to Get Fit After 40

Ever since I returned to the WNBA to play professional basketball at age 50, every wants to know how I stay so fit.

I’m often approached by women about my fitness routine. Some, who know more about the basketball in my past, assume “once an athlete, always an athlete.” Not true. As with everyone, aging can make maintaining your fitness a challenge. For women, who often balance a successful full-time career with motherhood and all that’s entailed, finding the time to focus on your own personal health can be even more of a challenge.

If you’re an active woman later in life looking to “re-boot” your fitness regimen as I was or maybe someone totally new to working out, here are some tips I put together that I feel helped me get back into my playing shape. I hope they help you as well.

Nancy’s fitness advice for busy women:

·      Manage your day and schedule. Develop a routine where you carve out 30 to 45 minutes each day for physical activity.

·      If there is a day you cannot make it to the gym, be mindful of what you put in your body.

·      Don’t sweat the small stuff – YOU are responsible for YOU and must be in control of staying positive no matter what happens. This means being mentally strong.

·      Stay organized; know your priorities and what you are responsible for – it cuts the stress level down.

·      Take care of yourself and develop self confidence and good decision-making skills.

·      Set aside an hour a day for you (this may mean waking up an hour earlier or staying up an hour later) to read, visit with friends or participate in hobbies you enjoy.

·      Consider supplements. Besides a eating a healthy diet and training, I take a variety of dietary supplements. My favorite brand is Mannatech, which I’ve been taking for over 14 years. In particular, their BounceBack capsules that support recovery from post-exercise soreness (which I was certainly experiencing), were a huge help. They also make a great portable multivitamin/nutrient called Optimal Support Packets that you can throw in your gym bag or purse and take on-the-go.  My day would be considered full for a 25-year-old, much less a 50-year-old! Throw in T.J., my teenage son who wants to rule the world, and I need all the help I can get!

At the age of 18, Nancy Lieberman became the youngest basketball player in Olympic history to win a medal. Twenty years later, she was still outperforming other top athletes, this time in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). A Basketball Hall-of-Famer and ESPN broadcaster, she made history by signing a seven-day contract with the WNBA Detroit Shock to play basketball at age 50. To keep up with Nancy you can visit her Web site www.nancylieberman.com or follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/nancylieberman