Fifty and Fit
Options
Replies
-
As a start, maybe ask Google about people like Johanna Quaas, Madonna Buder, Ernestine Shepherd, among others . . . the latter two were late starters, at 48 and 56, too.
Me, I'm just a weak sort of character who mostly likes to have fun, especially now that I'm 61. One of the very most fun things I like to do is shown in the photo below. I'm the one in yellow. The one in pink is my rowing buddy Jeanie, age 70, who also weight trains and does pilates regularly, among other things.
I started rowing in 2000 at age 46, after not having been regularly active in a very long time, as part of an attempt to feel happy & strong again after cancer treatment (surgery, chemotherapy & radiation in 2000-2001).
Not only did it work, but I got hooked. I loved rowing so much I started doing other things to get/stay in shape for rowing (aerobics, spin class, etc.) or support it (swim lessons). I've even competed (& even placed a couple times!) in on-water or rowing-machine races.
These days, since it's rowing season here now, I row M-W-F-Sa (weather permitting) and go to spin class Tu-Th. I find my body holds up better if I mix things up a bit like that. I'm throwing in a tiny amount of progressive weight work (truly tiny - like 20 minutes) for non-rowing muscles, while in rowing season. I also do the occasional short bike ride, walk, or other fun things.
I try to ramp up the weight training in the off season, but feel like I don't get the needed level of recovery if I weight train while rowing intensely. Truthfully, I tend to be a bit of a slacker about weights: I love feeling stronger, but don't really love the process. Spin is all year, I try to swim at least once a week in winter (don't love swimming either, but rowers gotta swim ). I also do some rowing machine workouts, but Winter is lower volume overall.
Despite being quite active, I stayed obese until 2015 - easy to eat up to activity level, sadly. Something finally clicked, and I lost about 60 pounds, around a third of my body weight, in a little under a year. Most of this was by using MFP to calorie count.
Frankly, I wish I'd done it decades ago: It was so much simpler (not necessarily easier ) than I'd ever dreamed, and i feel so much better - more mobile, less pain/discomfort, easier daily life, . . . and I'm enjoying food & eating more than before, besides.
You can do this! IMO, the keys are to commit to eating in a nutritious & delicious way that supports your personal goals, and to find some active pursuits - not necessarily formal exercise - that you enjoy so much you want to do them, and to get better at them.
ETA: before & after photo.5 -
Wow! Y'all are certainly living life to the fullest. I did step out of my comfort zone and did something crazy for my "50th" birthday! I lost a bet with my 19 yr old "adrenaline junkie" daughter and the wager was to go sky diving. Well, this chic is afraid of heights and would not normally go seeking this kind of thing out. Needless to say, I was true to my word (even though once there, signed in and waiting for our turn, my daughter gave me a free pass), I stuck to my guns and did it! It was exhilarating..... to say the least, however I am still ambivalent on whether or not I would do it again. I really loved reading all of your stories and y'all have certainly inspired me to get back out there, try new activities and to start living "la vida loca".
4 -
FYI, all newbies like me to skydiving have to jump with a tandem diver.1
-
Found my peeps, I turned 50 in June, I'm looking to do a body building show in Dec. The inspiration came from a TED talk, a 98-year-old man started competing at 80. Let me just say it's nice being sexy and sophisticated.5
-
@HeatherCSamps17 What a great way to celebrate your birthday. Thanks for the pics.
I like your starting living 'la vida loca'.
It will make your fitness goals so much easier to achieve.
I was thinking the other day, my 64th is upcoming, that I still had 26 years before I reached my mum's age of 90 (still independent) That is a heck of a lot of living to do, and I want to live life; not observe it passing me by.
Cheers, h.
And yes we go share a name.3 -
By getting out there and challenging yourselves, you have all given me much needed inspiration and of course my "mojo" back! ❤️ My sincere gratitude goes out to all of you! The spark ⚡️ has rekindled the fire1
-
I'm 52 and 5ft 2" at 108lbs.
I don't know how to post photos .....2 -
56 and 5' here .... I lost 30#'s and just celebrated my 2 year maintenance anniversary My preferred exercise is swimming, biking and walking (hiking) because I need to keep things more low impact.3
-
I love this post...I turn 50 next month and like the fact there are others in the same boat as me3
-
Just turned 51, and feel great since joining MFP. Best thing I ever did for myself. I've lost 35 lbs. Wish I had done it years ago!3
-
Got my black belt in karate at 53. Age is just a number. If you enjoy doing something - just go for it!4
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 391.6K Introduce Yourself
- 43.5K Getting Started
- 259.7K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.6K Food and Nutrition
- 47.3K Recipes
- 232.3K Fitness and Exercise
- 393 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.4K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 152.7K Motivation and Support
- 7.8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.3K MyFitnessPal Information
- 23 News and Announcements
- 938 Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.3K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions