How old is "too old"?

Calliope610
Calliope610 Posts: 3,783 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I know this may sound silly, but how old is "too old" to become a hardbody? I am so impressed and awestruck by the ladies of MFP (sounds like a Playboy pictorial, right:wink: ) who lift and have totally transformed their bodies. But many of you are 10, 20, 30 years my junior. I will be 52 years young next month. The fitter I get, the more weight I lose, the younger I feel, both physically and in my mindset, but I know I will never be 30something again, nor will I have a 30something body. I guess I would just like to see what strength training/heavy lifting can do for someone my age. Realistic inspiration so I can have realistic expectations, I suppose.

Replies

  • tiptoethruthetulips
    tiptoethruthetulips Posts: 3,371 Member
    Never too old....and its never too late to start.
  • htg20
    htg20 Posts: 116 Member
    Search for 77 year old female bodybuilder Ernestine Shepard on google. It is quite an inspiring story!
  • SaintGiff
    SaintGiff Posts: 3,679 Member
    My thinking is just the opposite. It's not a matter of being too old to lift weights. It's a matter of being too old not to be.
  • Viva_Karina
    Viva_Karina Posts: 398 Member
    Search for 77 year old female bodybuilder Ernestine Shepard on google. It is quite an inspiring story!


    +1
  • millerll
    millerll Posts: 873 Member
    Well, I'll be 52 in a few months, and I still compete in powerlifting. I do one or two meets a year usually. I started in college, gave it up due to military commitments, then started up again a few years ago. It's really the best thing you can do for yourself as you get older (lifting, not necessarily competing). Unless you're looking forward to hip replacement and osteoporosis!

    And, yeah, love me some Ernestine!
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,149 Member
    Search for 77 year old female bodybuilder Ernestine Shepard on google. It is quite an inspiring story!
    c716ht_ernestine_shepherd_100427_mn.jpg

    One of my fave pics of her.
  • Calliope610
    Calliope610 Posts: 3,783 Member
    Search for 77 year old female bodybuilder Ernestine Shepard on google. It is quite an inspiring story!

    Thanks for the info. Ernestine surely is inspiration, especially because she started her "journey" at age 56. I've got 4 years on her, so look out!!
  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    I am loving this thread :heart:
  • v70t5m
    v70t5m Posts: 186 Member
    Calliope610,

    You can absolutely "transform your body."

    I'd love to see another "mature" woman joining Ernestine and showing all the youngsters how awesome lifting can be.

    http://exrx.net/WeightTraining/Weightlifting/Masters.html

    I like the suggestions made in the above article ... I do think soreness will be a huge factor, especially when starting. I know how sore I get when I do too hard a workout with a new program. Lowering myself onto a chair with my arms since my quads are so ... incredibly ... sore. (It has happened twice that I can remember!) On the other hand, women tend to recover more rapidly than men from the muscular damage caused by lifting (and recovering even stronger) ... so you have that going for you as well.

    The human body is absolutely, flipping amazing! You can accomplish major physical changes even late in life. This is what we are meant to do.

    Having taught Anatomy & Physiology for several years, No, there is no such thing as "too old."
  • 123stefania
    123stefania Posts: 167 Member
    Search for 77 year old female bodybuilder Ernestine Shepard on google. It is quite an inspiring story!

    wow just google it, and its amazing!!!! she looks Great!!! I have to start that ...eventually :)
  • amybg1
    amybg1 Posts: 631 Member
    You are only as old as you feel! One is never too old to be heavylifting - as an example there is a YouTube vid of a 91 year old man doing an I believe 130 kilo deadlift! If he can lift heavy at just about 40 years your senior, so can you!
  • DebbieLyn63
    DebbieLyn63 Posts: 2,654 Member
    Look up the profile of Californiagirl2012 on here. well into her 50s and rock hard body!
  • wonderwoman234
    wonderwoman234 Posts: 551 Member
    Never too old to do what inspires you. NEVER! Go for it, sista! :)
  • tammyjoneshancock
    tammyjoneshancock Posts: 1
    How says the 50s isn't the new 30s? :happy: I will be 55 this year and I just want to feel better about myself, physically and mentally. If I turn a few heads also, even better. :blushing: We are never to old unless we give into age ourselves and that at happening here. So have a good day, nose to the grindstone, as they say, and the world had better watch out for us more mature women!
  • Katla49
    Katla49 Posts: 10,385 Member
    Welcome to a great place to help yourself get healthier. I'm 64. I started in October 2012. You can work miracles here, but it takes time and persistent effort. I have had the support of very positive women while here and they helped me keep up my motivation. I've reached my weight goals but have no intention of leaving MFP. I enjoy the support and want to maintain my good habits.
  • ponycyndi
    ponycyndi Posts: 858 Member
    I'm so in love with this whole thread.


    When I was a teenager, I ran across the Body Electric program on tv. I so wanted a body like that!!
  • tracydr
    tracydr Posts: 528 Member
    Absolutely amazing! I've gotten out of shape the past couple of years. Dealing with bone disease and surgeries. This is the kind of inspiration I need to get back to the gym!
  • margannmks
    margannmks Posts: 424 Member
    Two years ago i was 25 lbs heavier than now and found my way back to the exercise,weighttraining that tranformed me in my 30s it definelty took more work and diligence but im proud of my 53 year old body. I look like i lost 30 + pounds and am wearing sizes i never wore at this weight so it definetly can happen [img]http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d121/abyreb53/Mobile Uploads/0504141219_zpsqm57oagw.jpg[/img]

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