Over 40 Fitness

I am 46 and post menopausal. I eat less than I did in my 30s but I also have changed how i work out. I used to max out cardio (trained for marathons) now I weight train. I love barbell training-lots of squats, deadlifts, benching and OHP. I look better now than in my 30s but weight more.

mkmfrog you're totally right, and I didn't mean it to sound weird about the kids at the gym thing. I think what I meant was sometimes its a bit overwhelming for us agers to get into the swing of working out and seeing younger, more fit people can sometimes work against us mentally. Believe me, if I were in your shoes I would be thrilled to be at the gym, and while I look great for my age I know I can't keep up with them. I didn't want to feel like I was insulting the younger generation by saying what I said, so I tried to add a disclaimer, which I guess worked against me. Did all that make sense? I'm really not thinking clearly lately. Please excuse me.

Im not looking to spot reduce. I am looking to get in total shape, meaning I want to be strong fit and active going forward. I don't need to have rock hard abs, or a killer butt, but if thats what happens along the way then I'll take it. ))) My goals have changed recently and I'm just looking to find my way now… I want to find something I love to do every day and have it fit into my crazy life.

You have received ALOT of great advice here. And I get you trying to figure out what pieces to try out. As our bodies are different, what works for some, may not work for others...but I definitely see there is some repeating advice: 1) up the protein...it should be equal if not more than the carbs; 2) strengh training, and 3) be mindful of what you are eating.

I can't keep up with the 20-somethings...but I am not trying to do what they do either. My lower back prevents me from doing high impact aerobics (so I modify the moves to low/medium impact) and my upper back right now is preventing me for doing heavy lifting (mainly with dumbbells). I am still strong and in great cardio shape.

Each of us has own reasons for going to the gym. Please do not judge your insides by their outsides. Just stay your course and walk your truth!

I don't feel hungry on 1200 calls but I do feel greedy. I want to eat more, especially sweet and fatty stuff - but I can't honestly say I feel truly hungry. I feel so resentful! Especially when I don't lose any weight and I've stuck to the calories and been to the gym every day. I'm 52 this year so proper old!

You may not be eating enough. 1200 calories is pretty low.

Just remember, old age ain't for sissies!

Additionally, the point I'm really hoping to be at is stronger. Like, weight training strong. I can't seem to find much on the weight training front in regards to older women. Maybe someone here has a link or two they can point me to some gym machine workouts I can follow.

I'm 45 and I lift 3 times a week with free weights...things like squats, deadlifts, bench press, etc. you can do anything at your age! The only concession I make to my age is to listen carefully to my body and not push it too hard when it's telling me to take it easy. Of course, young folk should do the same thing. Don't let age hold you back from lifting!

This....There is no difference between "lifting for younger women" and "lifting for older women"...I'm 46 in five days, and I have started with Jillian Michaels and a set of tiny dumbells did Chalean Xtreme, P90X, P90X3 and now doing Cathe Friederichs with a olympic Barbell and need more plates every now and then... if I slack on exercise or start eating too much carbs and processed crap, I gain at the speed of light....
You need to make peace with the fact that this is a freaking ongoing battle..... Good luck!

At this point I think this thread has become a place where us 40-50 and even 60 somethings can come to talk about our journey.
I do appreciate all the advice, but I've come to a place in my life recently where family comes first and my toning up has become second. Its important to note that while today I'm not ready, tomorrow I might be, and this thread has shown me that I'm not alone. I've made some new friends, and hope to make more along the way. I have to get back to yoga 1st, then I'm dusting off Jillian next. Her workouts have always made me feel and look good. From there, I'll bump to some weight training. I was gun ho about begin in shape for summer, but it looks like I'll be a little doughy on the beach this year, but if this is all I have to give up for what I have to do in the coming months, I'll take it.

With regard to "family first", I am here to tell ya, that never changes unless YOU decide to carve out some "you" time. I'm speaking as one who STILL struggles with that so I can't say I've been any more successful at it than you are. A lot of what you are saying resonates with me even though we are decades apart in age. I too am one who has a hard time enjoying exercise. I also set goals like "look good by summer" and then find that the time flies and I arrive at that point NOT being in the shape I want to be in. I think that kind of goal-setting can be counter productive for some of us.

One thing I would suggest (amidst all the great advice that probably has overwhelmed you) is that you find something that will give you the biggest bang for your exercise buck. I'd also suggest that strength training is "that thing".

If you only have a limited time, just get on those machines at the Y and do the circuit. That's how I started (at the Y) and when I was older than you are I got GREAT results. I know many pooh-pooh those machines but for those of us just starting out they are great and DO give results if you continue to challenge yourself by increasing the weights as soon as you can do so. When I got in the best shape I've ever been in I did so at the Y using the track and the machines. I walked (brisk pace) 20-30 minutes on the track to warm up, did 2 circuits of the weight machines (3 rounds once I got stronger and when I had time) and then walked another 20 - 30 minutes. I lost weight and WOW did I tone up. I will add one note though...I used the dumb bells (that were in the room with the machines) to do bicep curls and tricep extensions in each circuit instead of the machines that specifically target those muscles). I just felt the dumb bells were more effective.

Because I was doing both upper and lower body machines in the same workout, I only had to get to the gym 3 times a week. It wasn't always easy to get there (in fact getting there was the hardest part) but once I was there I worked hard and when I walked out I felt fantastic.

Since i stopped going to the Y I have not been able to develop consistency in my workouts. I believe I have a great home workout plan that would be very effective if I did it consistently but I let everything else of the day get in the way. Hmmmm....maybe even if I haven't helped you, I might have just talked myselfl into going back to the Y!!

Anyway...you sound like you are floundering. There are SO many options and opinions about how to get the job done. I hope you can find something that gives you what you need!