Women over 40 and already lifting? Let's build a supportive community!

I do goblet squats, front squats, cable squats, back squats, wall squats and any other kind of squat I can manage. Luckily I don't have bad knees but I do struggle getting below parallel, parallel I can do. What I can't do is load too much weight on any of them. I think I've just lost some of the strength I had before my recent injuries.........climbing my way back up though hopefully!

I do have another suggestion for those of us with weak shoulders. My trainer has me doing inverted rows and two weeks ago I could barely lift myself off the floor I was so weak. Today I touched the bar with my chest and felt really strong in my shoulder. I didn't realize how much strength I'd lost because of the injury but it seems to be coming back fairly quickly now.

If I can work the OHP back in I think I might be able to get back to Strong Lifts!

@megemrj...........I love SL, so yes I'm trying. I've actually started with a lighter bar doing OHP but the 45 is still going to be tough. I'm doing some walking with a KB overhead and gradually increasing the weight there so eventually I'll get back to the bar at least.....LOL

I think cable squats will give you the benefit of doing squats without the extra strain on your knees....hope it helps! And hey.....there's more than one way to "skin a cat".............pardon the expression.....

My favorite lift is Dead Lift.........absolutely love how strong it makes me feel!

I was at 40%P/40%C/20%F - shooting for 100-130g protein. Lately, I've just been concentrating on making sure I hit my protein macro, have between 20-36g fat and the rest in carbs.

Glad I'm not the only one with bruises all over their legs.

5%C/25%P/70%F here

I aim for around 81-93 g protein except on Fast days

Today I weighed in and my bf hasn't moved. My trainer reviewed my food and pointed out that although I was eating below my calories my father macros were way too high. I argued that according to the Twinkie experiment...a calorie is a calorie. But I learned that macros matter and it depends on your body type. Apparently my body type doesn't work well on high fat. I need more protein and less fat. And healthy fats are sneaky and can sabotage your results...I was eating too much avocado and egg yolks. That being said, I don't believe there are banned foods...I can still have my avocado and yolks, just less of it.

If you are not getting the results you expect check your macros. Everyone is different and you need to monitor and adjust according to your body type.

I use my body weight to set my macros:
Protein: body weight x 0.8-1.0
Fat: body weight x 0.4
Carbs: no goal

I view protein and fat as minimums. And carbs just fall wherever they fall.

This site has been a great resource for me: http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/articles/

I have the same macro ratio as @megemrj. I have been eating this way since March and it has changed my life in regards to food completely, plus I am the leanest I have been my whole life. Carbs are like heroin for me- I do much better without them in my diet, other than low carb veggies. My running has even improved significantly.

Leg day today. I will be sore tomorrow- it's already setting in.

Hi all. Got my SL workout done for the day, plus some extras, then a 30 minute run. While I do like SL, I have to get some cardio in because that's just my thing. I like the rush running gives me My shoulder bothered me a bit when doing the overhead presses but I managed to finish my reps at 50 lbs and good form. I'll stay at this weight next week and try moving up the following week.

My AH HA moment yesterday was mixing my protein powder with water that my gym instructor mentioned. I never though about doing that since I though it would taste bad, but it wasn't that bad at all and I didn't have to count any extra calories for all the added fruits/milk/etc. Now I know how to get my extra protein in. DUH!

Today, I decided to work out before my IF lunch break at 12:30. I was pleasantly surprised how much energy I had doing SL followed by the run. I guess the coffee had a lot to do with it. I may have to keep up with this routine for a while.

Weekend plans: picking up sold out Violent Femmes tickets from Craigslist guy (so excited!!), then clean house since I'm overdue for a nice Spring cleaning. Have a great weekend.

Hi Ladies! I'm so glad this thread was started; I've enjoyed reading everyone's comments and learning about your journeys! I'm 41, and was an avid runner for about 20 years but that kind of fizzled after I got married (to a non-exerciser) and moved to an area that is mostly concrete and tops 100° for at least 5 months out of the year. That was my excuse for stopping pretty much all exercise. After some health problems last year, I finally forced myself to get back in shape, and dragged myself to the gym.

I'm now doing mostly weight lifting (and loving it!), with maybe a couple of HIIT workouts thrown in during the week. I was putzing around with Strong Curves for a while (this was before the gym, so I had limited equipment), and am currently doing P.H.U.L. I've lost most of the weight I wanted, but when I went lower, my upper body looked too stringy/bony for my taste, while my lower half still clung to the pudge for dear life. So I'm working on eating at (basically) maintenance for now and trying to build more muscle in my work-horse legs (as my grandma calls them) in the hopes that they'll be strong and not just big. I'm also working on the booty, which is stubbornly remaining only slightly less flat than a pancake.

Glad to be here and I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!