Overall Fitmess: Lifting and Cardio?

[Hopper]

As I am getting older (48) I am less interested in lifting massive amounts of weight or trying to look like Mr. Olympic. I am just wanting to stay fit and strong enough to do day by day activities.

I know this depends on the person but how much cardio and lifting is recommended for the average person need to do to stay healthy providing they are eating the right kinds of food and getting enough rest?

Thanks

[Lost Dog]

To stay healthy, vigorous lifting will provide you enough aerobic work.

One thing to consider is conditioning yourself to the level of your desired activity. I don't need to be able to run a marathon, but sometimes I'd like to run a 5k. So, I make sure to run that distance +/- periodically, plus just try to get faster in that and the shorter distances.

My kids don't run, but we do play a few running games, so being able to sprint around is good. If you want to play flag football or soccer with friends, then being able to run around on that field for that duration will make the game that much more fun. But, tailor your exercise to that or similar activities. For instance, jogging 3 miles, twice a week does not prepare you for chasing people around on a soccer field for a whole game.

You don't have to be anal about it, but one way to stay motivated is to try to get better at whatever activities you like to do.

[Lisa~]

I like LD's suggestion of setting your goals based on what you want to be able to DO. How much exercise you'll need to get there will depend on the goal and where you are starting.

[silver_surfer]

You don't have to massively heavy weights to be healthy. As Lisa stated, how much exercise depends on your fitness goals and your starting point, and then adjusting these accordingly.

[Frank.S]

'Massive weights' is relative remember.

I would get much more health benifets by doing say deadlifts with 300lbs then with 100lbs. sure, the 300lbs may be massive to someone else... Lots of people think 'im just lifting to be healthy' and lift waaay to light of weights. Lifting heavy weights (for you) is healthy. I'm not saying go and do 1 rep max's.. but, lift heavy(for you)