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Health and Longevity Not the Reality for Generation X

  • February 02, 2017

Members of Generation X were born between 1960 and 1982. They may not receive as much attention as the preceding generation of Baby Boomers and emergent Millennial age cohort, but their collective health is a serious concern. Yahoo Finance recently reported that a large percentage of Gen Xers may have questionable health practices, but they still have time to proactively take control of their health. 

The importance of empowered and enlightened health decisions is demonstrated by a troubling statistic on strokes. Strokes have more than doubled in those ages 35 to 44, but have decreased in those over age 55.

The first step is to simply get moving, but beyond that you'll want to tweak your workouts for your 40-year-old self. This does not mean taking it easy — it means tailoring your workouts so you can be in the best shape of your life, even if you're 40 or beyond. Research has shown that men who begin intensive exercise after age 40 get similar benefits to those who started prior to age 30 — as well as show several health advantages compared to men who do not exercise. 

It is not unusual for responsibilities to increase and free time dramatically decrease during middle age. Fortunately, there are many ways to incorporate exercise into your daily schedule. The type of exercise matters more than duration. It is for this reason that I recommend high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Compelling and ever-mounting research shows that the ideal form of exercise consists of short intense bursts followed by a brief recovery period.