You rely exclusively on cardio
While cardio is a great habit to get into, strength training is what will tone your muscles and help you burn calories even when you’re not working out. It’s especially important for adults: One Abbott-AARP survey found that many Americans ages 50 and up lack adequate strength. “While many of the adults in our survey reported exercising, cardio was really preferred. Only about a quarter of those people are actually lifting weights,” says Abbott’s registered dietitian Tiffany Dewitt. “Evidence has really shown that doing those exercises can help you maintain your muscle.” Maintaining your muscle, in turn, will keep you looking young. These simple activities will prevent age-related muscle loss.
You neglect your pelvic floor
The pelvic floor might not be the first thing you think of when you consider working out, but it’s important nonetheless. “Neglect your pelvic floor muscles and you can end up with the soft round belly many women develop after middle age, as well as urinary incontinence,” Guy Andrews, MA, CSCS, told Prevention. Keep things tight with three sets of 10 Kegels, three times a day, each day, he recommends. Don’t miss the signs that your face is aging faster than you are.
You skip high-intensity interval training
Although you’ve likely heard of high-intensity interval training (HIIT), it might have seemed like a passing fad. Turns out, it’s incredibly helpful in fighting signs of aging. One study, published in the journal Cell Metabolism found that older people participating in HIIT saw a 69 percent increase in mitochondrial capacity, which helps the body create energy, as well as improvements in insulin sensitivity, which can help lower the risk of diabetes. To replicate the participants routine, try three days of HIIT cycling (high-intensity bursts fused with slower-paced intervals) and two days of treadmill walking each week. These are the 10 foods that can make you look older.