Maybe it's a myth on lifting weights...

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FitnessLover001
FitnessLover001 Posts: 188 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I know there is a difference between haters and realistic people and I know the realistic ones mean no harm, but a lot of them say things like, "When you quit lifting all those weights you'll get fat and lose all that muscle. You need to be able to do things that you can stick with for your life, not just do it because you're young and able to. There'll be an age when you can't do that anymore."

Is this true? I don't think any of us here are lifting weights to look good now and not in thirty years, but every time I'm lifting weights I'm thinking about those comments and if I really will be able to do this later in life.
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  • Dewymorning
    Dewymorning Posts: 762 Member
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    If you preserve/build your muscle mass now your body will be thanking you in 30-50 years time.
  • 1PatientBear
    1PatientBear Posts: 2,089 Member
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    Who the hell says that?? I may not be able to lift as much at 61 as I can at 41 but that doesn't mean I won't still be able to lift weights. Whoever is telling you that crap is an idiot and doesn't know what they're talking about.
  • knittinlady
    knittinlady Posts: 143 Member
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    One thing's for sure: if you don't do it now, it'll be tougher to start later in life. :smile:
  • LiftAllThePizzas
    LiftAllThePizzas Posts: 17,857 Member
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    That doesn't even make sense. If you were to stop lifting AND keep eating the same amount, then yeah obviously you would get fat.

    But saying you shouldn't do it now because you don't know if you will be able to when you're old? Well you might also be incontinent when you're old so I guess we all might as well start crapping our pants now, right?
  • TommyJensen1987
    TommyJensen1987 Posts: 95
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    Muscle only turns into fat if you stop lifting and keep eating like you still lifted.

    Also while you will have to vary your routine you will be able to lift weights well into your 90, it will make you more mobile for far longer (and mobility in old people are a pretty good proxy for whether they are going to die soon).
  • Dewymorning
    Dewymorning Posts: 762 Member
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    Also, I saw a little clip on a news programme with this guy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precious_McKenzie

    He lives in a retirement home, where he gives exercise classes to the other old people, and then goes and lifts huge amounts of weights.
  • crystalflame
    crystalflame Posts: 1,049 Member
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    Wtf? I have NEVER heard that. And even if you're not squatting your body weight when you're 60, you'll have the foundation and knowledge to do something that keeps you active, in shape, strong of mind, and osteoperosis free.
  • GiveMeCoffee
    GiveMeCoffee Posts: 3,556 Member
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    Well since my 65 year old mother started lifting this year, I'm not seeing a problem with me continuing lifting for years.
  • ExtremePhobia
    ExtremePhobia Posts: 40
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    Like all things... sort of. Your muscles will only maintain what they use. If you stop lifting and you don't need that much muscle for your daily life then you'll lose muscle mass slowly over time until your muscles reach equillibrium. This mass could potentially turn to fat if that energy isn't burned (is my guess anyway) but any fat you do gain won't just end up in that one spot. It'll end up spread over your entire body. So if you lose a little bit of muscle, you POTENTIALLY could gain a tiny fraction of an inch of fat on your body. But you likely won't notice.

    I would argue that if you work out hard and always work out hard then you have nothing to fear. You'll ease off as your body becomes less capable but you might as well do the best that you can always do. If you are concerned then when you start easing off the muscle building routine, similarly cut back a little extra on your calorie intake and your body will burn that energy instead of storing it. You'll be fine.
  • Trundlegate
    Trundlegate Posts: 52 Member
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    This is an impressive clip
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18346128
    it is abut a 75 year old female weight lifter. i want to look as good as her and be as strong/healthy as her when I am 75
  • Jenky85
    Jenky85 Posts: 190 Member
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    I think lifting needs to be a lifelong commitment...not necessarily because of the idea of 'muscle turning to fat' but because of the benefits to us as we age. It's great for improving bone density..or at least preserving it and being strong as we age ensures we are able to stay independent for as long as possible. I definitely don't view it as a quick fix...it's part of my life now and will continue to be.
  • eric_sg61
    eric_sg61 Posts: 2,925 Member
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    This guy started lifting at 44.............he is now 70
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKJaZDGVNWA
  • Quarkles
    Quarkles Posts: 69 Member
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    Straight from the CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/growingstronger/why/
    That's why you should keep lifting weights.
  • acogg
    acogg Posts: 1,870 Member
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    I am fifty three and I seem to manage it. Here are a couple of inspiring videos showing older ladies lifting. You are only limited by your mind.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Clk6r8tjlno

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eae3_LDysY8
  • ColeCake292012
    ColeCake292012 Posts: 247 Member
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    These people clearly aren't into lifting and being strong...whereas you are. A spark of jealousy on their part seems plausible. :)
  • Rehobobound
    Rehobobound Posts: 143 Member
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    Another reason to lift is to preserve bone density! As we women age, bone density decreases as well as muscle. Lifting helps to lessen the damage.
  • SueGeer
    SueGeer Posts: 1,169 Member
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    Also, I saw a little clip on a news programme with this guy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precious_McKenzie

    He lives in a retirement home, where he gives exercise classes to the other old people, and then goes and lifts huge amounts of weights.

    I remember seeing him on telly when I was a kid....for a little man, he was awesome!!!!
  • TomZot
    TomZot Posts: 165 Member
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    Muscle only turns into fat if you stop lifting and keep eating like you still lifted.

    Also while you will have to vary your routine you will be able to lift weights well into your 90, it will make you more mobile for far longer (and mobility in old people are a pretty good proxy for whether they are going to die soon).

    What he said.

    There's a woman at my gym who is a regular and she's pushing 90. Several men and women are in their 80's.
  • suejenfb
    suejenfb Posts: 54 Member
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    I've been lifting weights on and off for years. When I stop for a while I don't gain extra weight because I have muscle and when I start lifting again and it comes right back to me.
  • sarab99
    sarab99 Posts: 134 Member
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    Saw a program with this lady on it last week. I think it answers your question well!

    http://abcnews.go.com/Health/mess-ernestine-shepherd-body-building-grandma-benches-150/story?id=10480184

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