I need a little help getting past my mindset...

I know this is going to sound TOTALLY dumb, but I know I have to, and I do want to start weight training, but I keep thinking, for some reason, that I'm getting 'too old' to see any real results. I turn 44 this month. I don't know why I feel this way, but its keeping me from getting really motivated to start. I appreciate any feedback, advice, etc.!!
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Replies

  • gigglybeth
    gigglybeth Posts: 365 Member
    Knowing it's ridiculous is half the battle. If you are on the right side of the dirt then you are young enough to start anything! :-)
  • ken_hogan
    ken_hogan Posts: 854 Member
    Knowing it's ridiculous is half the battle. If you are on the right side of the dirt then you are young enough to start anything! :-)

    Thanks!! :)
  • narsgirl79
    narsgirl79 Posts: 41 Member
    You can do it! Just make sure you get that cardio in so you can see your body change!

    Can you do it??? YES YOU CAN!!!
  • harpmark
    harpmark Posts: 5 Member
    Like they say "Just DO IT" If had been doing it since I was your age I would have 19 years of fitness behind me. Imagine you saying that to someone in the future, and imagine the effect of those 19 years.

    I agree with Beth!
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,422 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/sarauk2sf


    If that doesn't motivate you, nothing will.
  • ken_hogan
    ken_hogan Posts: 854 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/sarauk2sf


    If that doesn't motivate you, nothing will.

    Nice...thanks!!
  • heatherluuu
    heatherluuu Posts: 58 Member
    I really didn't want to start toning... I'm a cardio queen, but I can tell you that after only a few boot camp classes that integrate weight training, I'm seeing definition. I was completely surprised. Now I'm looking to step it up. I'm 38 and still 25 pounds overweight.
    Hope this is a little motivation!
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    i turned 41 this past summer. am i getting the results of a 24 year old? hell no. but i do okay
  • Dude, I abhor weightlifting, find it to be the most mind numbing repetitious load of cods wallop ever. But it's soooo good for you, in order to keep myself motivated I tend to mix it up.... A lot...., sometimes I'll use dead weight, sometimes I'll use resistance, just bought rip 60 to use my own body weight, and I cheat ....a lottttttt, if I am doing sets of three, I'll skip a couple of reps on the last set, not because I have to, but because I want to dammit. Sometimes I'll just do a couple of sets of something then call it a day, or I'll spread out the weightlifting over the day. I'm never going to get ripped this way, but I wouldn't anyway, because I abhor weightlifting, but at least it keeps me doing something.
  • EvgeniZyntx
    EvgeniZyntx Posts: 24,208 Member
    47, here.

    Doing stuff and knocking down walls of my mind.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Just make sure you get that cardio in so you can see your body change!

    Ignore this part
    Can you do it??? YES YOU CAN!!!

    but this part is true
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    I am almost 41 and will be starting soon...(I have the room almost set up and 2 days left of a program I made a goal to finish) then I am off the wonderful world of weights...

    No reason your age will prevent you from being strong and fit...go for it
  • james6998
    james6998 Posts: 743 Member
    I know this is going to sound TOTALLY dumb, but I know I have to, and I do want to start weight training, but I keep thinking, for some reason, that I'm getting 'too old' to see any real results. I turn 44 this month. I don't know why I feel this way, but its keeping me from getting really motivated to start. I appreciate any feedback, advice, etc.!!
    I am 42 and disabled, any questions :drinker:
  • clbortiz
    clbortiz Posts: 98 Member
    I am 42 and started weight lifting program with a very good trainer 2 weeks ago. I can honestly tell you after just the second workout I felt stronger and more motivated than doing cardio alone. I know my physical strength hadn't changed much after only 2 workouts but my mental strength and general physical feeling was amazing. I was gently reminded that muscles existed that I hadn't felt in over 15 years but it felt great!
    I say go for it. What's the worst that could happen? You decide you don't like it after a month or so and stop? But if you are like me and many others you'll love the way you feel and keep going back for more!!
  • aynhagenbarth
    aynhagenbarth Posts: 75 Member
    You are definitely young enough to get results! I was at a gym a couple of months ago and couldn't believe how many men and women in amazing shape in their 70's were lifting weights!!! It is very very encouraging and you could really be quite an example to others around you! You're never too old!
  • BigGuy47
    BigGuy47 Posts: 1,768 Member
    I'm getting 'too old' to see any real results.
    At 40 plus you don't change the way an 18 year old will change with the same amount of training. It is what it is. You need to manage your expectations. You may not become ripped or shredded, but you can slowly build up your strength and muscles.

    I turn 50 later this month. I started my exercise routine about 2 years ago.
  • Contrarian
    Contrarian Posts: 8,138 Member
    You will see results. More importantly, though, you'll feel it. You will be stronger. Feeling strong is an amazing feeling.

    Now, START!
  • lauren3101
    lauren3101 Posts: 1,853 Member
    It depends on your expectations. Will you end up with the body of a 20 year old? No. Will you make drastic improvements to your body and fitness? Yes.
  • 0somuchbetter0
    0somuchbetter0 Posts: 1,335 Member
    I'm 47 and 18 months ago I was morbidly obese and couldn't keep up with my kids on family vacations. Now I'm "just" obese, run 5/week and lift 2/week and while I still have 20 lbs to lose before I'm in the "just overweight" category, I feel energetic and strong and soon I'm going to incorporate MORE LIFTING into my workouts! Just DO it!

    :)
  • bceltic
    bceltic Posts: 135 Member
    I had the same thoughts past couple days, " am I too old to start this?" I signed on to mpf to search out woman my age ( 43) to see if there were any who were over weight and started weight training. First post I saw was a 46 year old woman who looked in her 30's with a rockin body, and theres so many more! Saw a 93 or maybe 83? year old man on the news the other night, weight lifter. He looked amazing.
  • _HeartsOnFire_
    _HeartsOnFire_ Posts: 5,304 Member
    When you are ready you'll do it. Age doesn't matter. You want it, you'll do it. You have to believe in yourself that you CAN do it.

    Good luck! You got this.
  • nelinelineli
    nelinelineli Posts: 330 Member
    My dad was overweight all his life, and came to his senses in his late 50s... Now he's almost 70 and strolling like a spring chicken from exotic country to another enjoying his retirement.

    You're one decade younger. No excuses!!

    JUST DO IT.
  • I know this is going to sound TOTALLY dumb, but I know I have to, and I do want to start weight training, but I keep thinking, for some reason, that I'm getting 'too old' to see any real results. I turn 44 this month. I don't know why I feel this way, but its keeping me from getting really motivated to start. I appreciate any feedback, advice, etc.!!

    You wash your mouth out with soap young man!!! I'm 53 and no-one's going to tell me that I'm too old for anything.

    Well, OK maybe the reproducing things beyond me now - but there's a lot of life in me yet and I sure as hell intend to lose the weight to be able to live it to the fullest. I've wasted too much time being obese. It's time for change.
  • tigersword
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
    http://www.powerliftingwatch.com/node/15134

    400 pound deadlift at 80 years old. Still think you're too old?
  • BernadetteChurch
    BernadetteChurch Posts: 2,210 Member
    Have a look at the Stronglifts 5X5 program. Join up (it's free!) and you'll see loads of success stories from guys your age and older.

    But if you've never lifted before make sure you start with low weights and get your technique right before you start lifting heavier.
  • RobynSmithIBECHS
    RobynSmithIBECHS Posts: 86 Member
    As they say, age is only a number. They only real thing that is stopping you from losing is the mind set. We have all done it before! The true show of motivation is not running the extra lap, but running a lap in the first place. The hardest thing is getting started, but once you get past the daily walls it is a piece of cake. After all, "You must do the things you think you cannot do". We all have full faith in you.
  • hookilau
    hookilau Posts: 3,134 Member
    I know this is going to sound TOTALLY dumb, but I know I have to, and I do want to start weight training, but I keep thinking, for some reason, that I'm getting 'too old' to see any real results. I turn 44 this month. I don't know why I feel this way, but its keeping me from getting really motivated to start. I appreciate any feedback, advice, etc.!!

    My Dh is 44. He started thinking that way as well until only recently. I'll admit he went kicking & screaming the whole way like a petulant child. It wasn't pretty.

    He had always been into weight training & was rather large in our 20's through to late 30's. Something had gone wrong along the way for him though, as all the training he did started to hurt his back, his joints, etc. Sometime around our 40's he just thought it was his age catching up to him as well as all those years power lifting.

    For him, it turned out he needed to adjust his diet and get back to basics as far as form via youtube videos & additional research. Sometime about the 90's or so, there was so much regurgitated BS about weight training (bro-science) that he just thought there was nothing really new about it, so he just accepted his fate. Lots of bickering back & forth on forums, 'my way is the only way', etc.

    It took a lot of experimenting before he found something that worked for him....it was starch & sugar restricted diet, and yoga as well as getting his fundamental form down. Now he's able to progress, no pain in his joints, squats don't hurt, and he even looks younger. Doing this has changed his silhouette back to athletic and closer to what he was like in his 20's.

    It only took about 6 weeks to see improvement once we hit on the right combo for him, but it took my subclinical turned clinical, T2D diagnosis for us both to hit upon the correct combination for both of us.

    We'd both always thought Atkins & carb restriction was a bunch of BS and vehemently denied it's validity. It sounded utterly hilarious to us because we came from low fat, low calories is the only way genre. Once we went LCHF to get control of my blood sugar, imagine our surprise when he started dropping crazy body fat & increasing muscle mass.

    Good luck and I hope you find a combination that will help you realize your potential the way we did, just not through illness :ohwell:
  • ken_hogan
    ken_hogan Posts: 854 Member
    Thank you everyone. You DID help me change my thinking!!
  • jadedone
    jadedone Posts: 2,446 Member
    44 isn't old. Think about it this way, if you live an average length of time, you still have another 30 years to go!