"We have a huge influence on how we age," says Guðbjörg Finnsdóttir, sports scientist.
"Aging with dignity is not the same as trying to keep up with younger women." The body changes and it is a natural journey that we enjoy observing and seeing the beauty in. Exercise, diet, rest and spiritual nourishment are key things that we must nurture. We have a huge influence on how we age, there is an ocean and sky between those who exercise and those who don't," says Guðbjörg Finnsdóttir, sports scientist.
Guðbjörg is the owner of G fit health club in Garðabær and has been training for more than 30 years and knows what it takes to keep the body in good condition so that it "lasts" as she puts it herself. Women are in the vast majority.
She says getting older is not an obstacle to being in great shape. However, you have to listen to your body, find out what it can tolerate and exercise regularly. Stability and routine are important, even on days when enthusiasm is low. It is also important to choose a good group with whom you form a bond, and then training is always fun. "You set up routines that you follow. You always have time, anything else is an excuse," says Guðbjörg sposk.
"The main thing is that we want to grow old and stay in good shape. Have energy, feel good and enjoy dealing with the things that life has to offer.”
"If you want more and get everything your body needs to be in top shape, you need the fight."
We are always affected by how we age
Guðbjörg advises middle-aged women to try hard on their muscles. Among other things, lifting weights contributes to bone density. We get her to give us some bulletproof tips for getting in shape.
- Lift dumbbells and heavy weights, feel the muscles getting tired
- Do HIIT exercises (high intensity and rest in between)
- Endurance training that tests the heart for a longer period of time
- Flexibility exercises
"Top form can be achieved by doing this training 3-4 times a week, hours at a time or more often by taking 30 minutes at a time. Diversity that covers all aspects of training is important. The muscle mass increases by lifting weights and has the best effect on the bone density," explains Guðbjörg and continues. “HIIT workouts involve agility that keeps our movements fast and youthful. Endurance training trains the heart muscle, and it can withstand much more than people think."
Having said this, Guðbjörg points out that we are all different and have different needs. Speed and conflict do not always have to go together and the same does not suit everyone.
Safe exercises result in a pain-free body
"You can always adapt the exercises to your body and soften them so that you don't get as much impact if your musculoskeletal system does not allow it, and some people choose to do it in quieter times. In my quieter classes at G-Fit, you get training for deep muscles and good posture. You also get strength training with your own resistance which is very good and manages to fix those musculoskeletal problems that are common in the shoulders, lower back and hips. These are safe exercises that result in a pain-free body," explains Guðbjörg. "Others are for more conflict, want to sweat hard and get their heart rate up.
The most important thing is to find what our body can tolerate. If you want more and get everything your body needs to be in top shape, you need the fight."
Protein important supplement
Guðbjörg says a balanced diet produces the best results and says she herself follows as clean a diet as possible. She takes supplements as needed.
"I try to get more protein into my diet, carbs are way too easy. Look at the food groups and get variety. Healthy fats are important for us, and of course it is best to avoid sugar and sweets. Let's still enjoy the moments when we want to treat ourselves, that's fine," says Guðbjörg.
Feel Iceland in your coffee
"Supplements are important and I advise my women to take supplements such as the Icelandic collagen products from Feel Iceland. I myself always put the Feel Iceland collagen protein powder in my coffee cup twice a day. It gives me a lot and the coffee will be even better. The Joint Rewind capsules are great for the joints, which is even more important as we get older, and I also use the Age Rewind capsules from Feel Iceland, for the skin."
"I have experienced many cases where my women have found a huge difference with the Feel Iceland supplements and it becomes part of the lifestyle. Another reason why I take the Feel Iceland collagen products is that I consider them preventive, which pays off for the future. I also make sure to take vitamins A and D, B vitamins and beneficial bacteria, and of course fish oil," says Guðbjörg.
