Are you around 50? How much exercise can you do?

algebravoodoo

Like the others, I am fast approaching 50 and am in better shape now than when I was 30.
I run 4-5 days a week, totaling 25 or so miles, and try to lift twice. Weather permitting, 20-30 miles of biking is not unusual.

Like you, I hit a point where I just feel like to go for a run would be volunteering for a face-plant on the pavement.
Listen to your body. It will not lie to you.

LindaSmith108

Bump

poedunk65

I am 53 and try to workout 4 to 5 days a week. Check the intensity of what you are doing. Work up to it slowly and don;t try to do too much.

Maybe see your doctor to see if there is something sapping your energy.

areufnkiddingme

Yesterday I watched a 70ish, overweight, short man outpace me by 1.5mph on the treadmill for 20 mins straight. I am 26, a couple pounds over, and tall.

Jfearn64

I would look more to your nutrition. Sounds to me like you are running out of fuel. I work out intensely 6 days a week (P90X). I find if I play golf that day and also do P90X, I really struggle unless I have had a complex carbohydrate earlier in the day. Take a look at what you are eating. There is no reason you should not be able to work out everyday. I am 48 and still bringing it!

Ke22yB

I started at 60 and couldnt walk around the block my daily runs now are 4 miles and longer runs around 6 to 8 5 days a week with a fitness class at the SENIOR center 3 days a week I am doing something every day but i do have some days that are pretty light..
Pretty light for me now at 64 was not doable at age 60 . Alot of people question why I run at 64 " your almost 65 why are you still running'? age isnt a factor be patient and go at your pace listen to your body and just keep getting better
I will be fitter at 70 than 60 cool

Chgosportsgal

I'll be 50 in a month and I'm finishing up and intense cardio program called Turbo Fire. However, I did that cardio 3x's a week and strength 2x's week. I'm starting Insanity in two weeks. However, when I started Turbo back in May, I only could do 3 days a week and kept it low impact. So I think you really need to work up to whatever workout you choose. But I find that if schedule your workouts and stick to it, you will find your conditioning starting to improve. When you start a workout program, realistically ask yourself "what kind of shape am I in NOW?" I find many people choose workout programs they are not ready for, and sadly, that's how you set yourself up for discouragement.

crazyvermont

Fifty two here and I started out about 2 days per week and now am at five with two days off on weekend. My main recommendation is listen to your body. Never bad to have a "nice sore/tired" feeling after working out; however, your body shouldn't hurt. Goal, whether eating or working out is always towards a more healthy you

andreamkelly

My husband is 57 and I'm 53 and we both started exercising in May. My husband was an ultimate couch potato, longest walk during the day was to the restroom (He works at home). At first he could not even walk around the block without feeling like he was dying. Now about 5 months later he is mostly doing bike rides. Just about everyday and 20-25 miles a day. (He has lost over 100 pounds since May). My biggest worry is that he will 'burn out' and go back to his old sedentary life and give up on being healthy. I am sticking to my treadmill, water aerobics and the occasional bike ride with hubby or jog with daughter. For me this is a lifestyle change and I don't want to start something I won't be able to maintain for the future.

I suggest you listen to your body and take breaks as needed. If you overdo it too much you might end up with an injury that holds you back even more than a rest day. Good Luck!!

RunXstrong

I achieved a goal to be a faster runner and stronger person at 50 than any other time and I update and achieve the same goal every year. I place 3rd overall (not only just winning my age group) in a 5K race recently. I don't find being over 50 is very limiting physically, although it probably takes more work for the same result, and you have to be more careful about warming up and stretching.

That's amazing, very inspiring and encouraging. If you have a minute, I'd love to know what your training looks like

Sure. I have built up to it gradually. Currently I am starting to lift weights more frequently so my schedule is Mon. - upper body weights plus 3 mile slow and easy run; Tue - 6 mile run with speedwork included; Wed - lower body weights plus 3 mile slow and easy run; Thur - 6 mile run with speedwork included; Fri - 1 hour swim or day off; Sat. 15 - 18 mile long run at moderate pace plus upper body lifting; Sun. 5-6 mile slow and easy run. Sometimes I include biking and swimming, but the weight lifting is my focus right now. My workouts change depending on what I am getting ready to do. My next big race is the Boston Marathon in April but I won't start the specific training until late November.

myraknits

55 here and I work out almost every day ..never take off more than 1 day in a row and no more than 2 days in a week. 50-60 minutes of circuit alternating 5 mns treadmill with 5 minutes weight machines and push pretty hard. Legs one day, arms the next. Tread at 3.7-4 mph.

I couldn't do more than 1/2 hr of treadmill at 3.5 mph without weights a year ago until I stopped telling myself 1/2 hr was my limit.
I never pushed past it because I thought "at my age..." it was enough. I did 30 mins of walking for years until one day I just decided I could do more. Then I worked up slowly but kept increasing my time. MFP was a big factor..Love my MFP friends!!!

Now I believe anything is possible and I'm with the group that says they'll be in the gym at 70 and beyond.
I definitely have to pace myself but I'm much better at listening to my body than I was when I was younger.
Listen to your body, do what you can, build it up and avoid the negative thinking. You can do it if you want to. I really believe it's all what we tell ourselves.

scottb81

I just turned 53 today and I ran 87 miles this week and have averaged around 67 miles per week for the whole year. In my experience age doesn't make that much difference in how much you can do as long as you build yourself up to it smartly and avoid injuries along the way. Also, you have to believe in yourself and have confidence that you can reach whatever level you are aiming for.

mathteacher2010

I am 57 just finished a 100 mile century bike ride in 7.5 hours.
Two years ago 5 miles was hard. One day at a time.

I bike 4 to 5 days a week usually 20 to 39 miles each ride at about 14 or 15 miles an hour.

So great to be fit.

Cheers
Jim

My husband is 60 and has done 3 centuries so far this year! Again, it's never too late!

bllowry

My hubby is 61, and I'm well over 50 and we can now walk a 4.5 mph pace and still chat. I ran track in high school (was a miler, relay and 440 runner) 40 years ago and was active and fit in to my late 30s. Then I had some serious upheavals life wise and became rather sedentary. I no linger run because of arthritis, but I walk, bike, hike trails and garden. Someone else mentioned nutrition, and I agree with that; the single appointment we made with a registered dietitian was the move we made!

martintanz

I am 47 and just got back in the swing of things. In May, I could barely bike ride 5 miles without being gassed. I am now up to 5 to 6 days/week of exercise, including 2 days a week of weights. I was feeling pretty good about myseflf when I ran into a guy at the gym who I remembered from years ago. He is in his late 60s and he comes to the gym every day. Additionally, he plays tennis 3 days/week.

OSC_ESD

Age ???? <

---

What's that ??????

Listen ... age is just a number. How you feel and what your body is capable of handling is all determined by your health / nutrition / fitness. If you eat healthy, exercise accordingly and know your limits ... you will easily be able to maintain a healthy fitness regimen weekly.

It does take time to form your body into this " idea " .... so just do what you can at your own pace and allow small improvements over time make not only the 50's better than your 40's ... but just think how good you will look in you 60's ! Ha !

Cheers ! :drinker:

mhotch

I am 53, {man that was hard to type!} I have been consistently exercising for over 6 years now, I do cardio 6 days a week, and strength 1 hour, 3 days week.

My cardio is a combo of swimming, outdoor running, stairclimber, rowing, arc trainer and elliptical.

77tes

56, soon to be 57, and I try to get in 4 workouts per week, plus a walk or strength exercises 2 other days. Work up to it slowly. When I started working out 5 years ago, I got light-headed and winded about 10 minutes into it. I've never been more fit than I am now.

Just be patient. If you need it, take a rest day or a walk rather than a workout. You will get fitter.

unhinge

I'm 56 and in better shape than I was at 47

Love reading this thread and all the beautiful people getting into shape in the golden age of their lives!!!

falcon367

P90X, 7 days a week. I can do anything I put my mind to ... plain and simple.

pamperedpenguin

I'm am 47 also (well, in November I'll be) and I walk 5-6 times a week.

I usually start out strong on Monday with a longer then usual walk and walk at least 2 miles the rest of the week, BUT by Friday/Saturday I am EXHAUSTED! So on those days I walk about a mile.

For me it's about making myself get out there.

Even if I only walk a little I'm still going circles around someone sitting on the couch!

ElizaDnl

Thanks for the tips of looking into my nutrition - this could be part of it, since I was not just exhausted, but absolutely starving, too. I had to eat tons for a couple of days to feel full again.

I'm 56 and in better shape than I was at 47

Love reading this thread and all the beautiful people getting into shape in the golden age of their lives!!!

Me too, this has turned out to be a fantastic thread :-)

CLynch309

You've already had tons of good advice. My own experience is that you have to do what you enjoy, start slow, build up. The more you do, the more you can and want to do. I have two big dogs, so I take each one on a separate walk. I started with short walks with the dogs - over time, we started going farther and taking on steeper hills. When I went to Yosemite earlier this year and did the hike up to Upper Yosemite Falls, it was no big deal, thanks to the daily walks with the dogs. I also started playing tennis, just because it's fun. I'm a terrible player. But for an hour and a half three times a week, I exercise a different set of muscles and I have a blast as my sweetie regularly cleans my clock. One of these days I will beat him. I've come close a couple of times. :-)

cbeutler

Went biking with my 60 plus yr old buddy. He rode 70 miles the first day could have easily done 100 if I wasn't slowing him down.

Tdk4685

I am 47 and I work out for at least 30 min every day. The weekends I work out for about 1.5 hrs each day. Some days cardio some days weight lifting. When I started exercising a year and half ago it was tough but I started to notice that I was feeling physically and mentally a whole lot better. The more I tried the easier it got, and now I feel fantastic and I look younger than I have in years. Keep it up and stick with it, it will be worth it.

KS_4691

My mother is 52 years old. She runs marathons and actively participates in Crossfit. She can deadlift 250. I don't think it's a question of age.

fitbugfreak

I am 47 and do Insanity 6 days/week. You will get better over time but you have to stick with it!!!

twinteensmom

I'm 54 and discovered Leslie Sansone DVDs. I like the5 mile walk one because it's broken up to 1 mile increments that I can mix and match. I usually only take off on Sunday morning. I've been doing it over a month, daily, and I'm just now, FINALLy seeing some toning and results in my body. I think as we get older it takes longer tosee results unfortunately..Good Luck!

Thank you so much for mentioning those DVD's. I love to walk. It is my exercise of choice and one my very bad knees can handle. I have wondered what I was going to do once the cold really set in(I'm in Northern Vermont) because health clubs are so expensive and I can't walk outside when it is snowing. I can't tell you how happy I was to google those DVD's and realize they were something I can easily do. Thanks again.

Toomestwin

I'm 54 and I'm active every day. I either run, exercise on the elliptical trainer or lift weights at the gym. Sky's the limit.

Didn't start out that way, of course. Started off very simple: taking my dog out for a walk. That gradually became going out for a walk, then a jog and then a run. At the gym, it started off pretty simple too: running the elliptical and performing very simple weight lifting exercises.

The only catch is that I've learned to put my ego aside and listen to my body. I don't necessarily plan a "rest" day, but if my body is telling me that it needs a rest, I give it a rest even if it means a couple days in a row. Same thing goes in the gym. If I can't knock out the same number of repetitions as I did the last time I performed that exercise, I don't push it. My body is trying to tell me something, and I listen. In most cases, the next time after that, I usually end up performing that exercise more easily and end up adding more weight/resistance to the routine.

When I was younger, I followed the "no pain no gain" principle. It's a great way to over-train and injure yourself.

With age comes wisdom.

sistershort1

I am 51 and have been exercising since July 2012...I currently walk 2 miles a day. Work out with lite weights Mon-Wed-Friday for 3 sets of 15 reps. Work out doing boxing for 10 min on Tues-Thurs-Sat...I am going to try and change my routine up evey four weeks so that my body doesn't know what's coming...I am still in the losing weight mode which means I need to keep my heart rate up around 137bpm for at least 10 min in order to maximize my exercising efforts...so far...its paid off...22.2 pounds lost since Sept 4, 2012.