Looking for older women fitness role models-49 y.o. hoping to make my 50's my best decade

MsGenXodus

This time of life is challenging for me as an American woman. We have great role models in our culture of what a girl can do, what a young woman can do, what an adult woman can do and what an elderly woman can accomplish. (Whether you love her or hate her, Hillary Clinton proved that it was possible for a woman to be taken seriously as a Presidential candidate)

As a member of Generation X, we are kind of used to making everything up as we go along. So I figured, why not get into body building as I traverse the last half of my life?

I guess I wonder: when you are working 50-60 hours a week, have a spouse who works just as hard, have a spouse and a family who demands your attention, how does one find time to for anything else?

My mother retired at the age of 46 because she decided that she simply couldn't "do it all" any more. That wasn't her intention, she had hoped to just change careers, going from being an RN her entire adult life to attending and graduating from Seminary School. She worked for a short time as a spiritual director and liturgist for her church, but left the position after a couple of years due to a toxic workplace culture. (Mostly, it was because she opposed the church allowing gays to lead congregations, but that's another story. This was over 20 years ago, after all.)

I've been cutting out all extra-curriculars from my life to deal with my demanding work schedule. I do my job. I do my chores. I care for my family. I keep commitments to family obligations with my extended family.

I'm working so hard today because my nest egg was wiped out twice.

2001: Dot bomb killed my investment/retirement savings
2008: Mortgage crisis killed all my home equity and we ended up needing to short sell our house. (My husband and I work in residential construction and real estate sales, respectively. The mortgage crash sent a lot of people back to the drawing board after being in careers for a decade or longer)

All of my vacation time over the last 7 years has been dedicated to taking care of others. I attend weddings, funerals, and work on things that must be done around the house.

Now that I'm 49, the fact that if I want to experience all that life has to offer before I depart this mortal coil, has me wondering: How?

I'm working as hard as ever, but at the end of the day, it is all I can do to tidy up my apartment, walk my dog, hug my spouse and then fall into bed exhausted. I spend my days off doing all the chores I had no energy for during the week.

My spouse is a great help, but he also works a demanding job. We sort of have to work this hard if we expect to retire before we are politely "retired" out of the jobs we currently hold. The economic climate of the US was such that it kept kicking the crap out of us in our youth when we should have been building up that safety net for old age.

Are you a 50+ woman who is able to do what I'm attempting to do? Please tell me about how you managed without harming yourself, your career or your relationships. Because the rest of us really need this info!

7elizamae

Well, either you make time for it or you don't.
I realize that doesn't sound very friendly or nice, but it's true. If you want to work out, you have to make time for it and do it. So, you give something up.

7kimboucher7

I’m hearing that you have a family that demands your attention. I’m also hearing you are a highly intelligent woman with a strong work ethic. If you could wave a magic wand, how would you like your family to address you?

Mouse_Potato

Well, I'm 45, so I don't know if I qualify, but it comes down to "me time." I also have a demanding job that has me on call 24/7. I have a long-term boyfriend. I have a dog. Saturday and Sunday mornings are mine. I spend 2-3 hours on each doing my sport of choice (horseback riding and pole fitness in my case). The rest of Saturday I spend with my boyfriend, running errands and having "couple time." On Sundays I do chores and my cooking for the week, so I have my evenings free for dog walking, errands, workouts, etc.. I gave up television 5-6 years ago and that freed up a chunk of time. I don't even miss it. A few years ago I broke down and hired a cleaning service for my house. Worth every penny. And sometimes I have to make choices. I love to garden, but I just don't have time, so my yard is pretty plain. I love to paint, but I only ever get 20-30 minutes every few weeks, so I just leave my unfinished work where I can get to it easily. I don't have your family obligations, but I am curious about them. I assume any children you have are grown, so what does your family need from you? Is it aging parents who need assistance?

Mmb3413

I just found this group so I’m a newbie! I’m 56 and work full time so my workout time is in the early mornings before work. I consistently go to the gym 3-4 times per week but have watched my weight creep up and now my “need to lose 10 lbs” is now 20! I have tried lots of diets and challenges but never logged my food until now. I’m hoping this group keeps me on the right track because this gaining has to stop! Any secret weapons out there to fight the menopause weight gain will be welcomed!

pobgoblin69

Me too ,eating well n healthy ,fitness has improved ,but scales are saying a slight gain every week ,driving me nuts .