Fifty and Fit
HeatherCSamps17
Posts: 22 Member
Looking for inspiration from other women and men who can show me that it is possible to be fifty or over 50 and fit!
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Replies
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I'm 57, have been on MFP for (I think) for about 6 weeks. Have lost just over 10 pounds. Started running the Couch to 5K program 5 weeks ago and can now run 20 minutes straight. The Zumba classes I've been taking for a year really helped my cardio stamina, for sure. Also began a gym class called BodyPump, doing the the low weights so I can keep up with the reps. My friend sold me a bike and I'm riding twice a week. You can totally do this, too! Good luck!3
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HeatherCSamps17 wrote: »Looking for inspiration from other women and men who can show me that it is possible to be fifty or over 50 and fit!
I think of Jane Fonda, Michele Obama, Barbara Kingsolver, Cher, Rita Moreno, Wendy Whelan, Gloria Steinem, Jane Goodall, Emmylou Harris...or am I dating myself?2 -
Ok. I started at age 44, 285 lbs. Lost on my own to about 215-220. My goal was 204.
Like a lot of guys I soon joined a gym. Built muscle but could never get below 212. Finally at age 56 I decided to make another serious effort.
I joined Weight Watchers. Ended up at about I weighed when I graduated HS. I'm 67 now. My little avitar pic is me this time last year on a paddlboard. This morning's WI- 177lbs.
So yeah, it can be done.2 -
54, totally possible1
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My Newspaper Article Feature:
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10347057/my-success-story-made-the-front-page-of-the-newspaper?new=1
http://archive.kitsapsun.com/news/woman-making-strides-in-weight-loss-fitness-2cecd299-3c0a-5674-e053-0100007f162c-370759861.html
Before and After, Same Outfit
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10488151/before-and-after-same-outfit/p1?new=1
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Just turned 50 and am an avid long distance cyclist.
In the past couple weeks I have ridden a difficult 210 km event (hot & hilly) and then a week later cycled a quick 160 km event.
My husband is 61 and he rides with me.1 -
I was fat and but fairly fit from age 31 to age 52. I had a very peculiar (and daft!) excuse for staying fat for twenty years but too many use age as their personal excuse.
Now I'm slim and very fit at age 57. Clocked up over 4000 miles of cycling in 10 months last year including riding a lifetime best distance in a day (129 miles). There's an awful lot of cyclists quite a bit older than me completing all day events with a smile on their face and looking remarkably fit.
50's have been a great decade for health and fitness, probably my best decade since I was a teenager. One of the big factors is I simply have more "me time" now the children are grown up - use that time wisely to invest in your healthiest future possible would be my advice.
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My Newspaper Article Feature:
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10347057/my-success-story-made-the-front-page-of-the-newspaper?new=1
http://archive.kitsapsun.com/news/woman-making-strides-in-weight-loss-fitness-2cecd299-3c0a-5674-e053-0100007f162c-370759861.html
Before and After, Same Outfit
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10488151/before-and-after-same-outfit/p1?new=1
WOW! You look radiant. Congratulations!3 -
I'm 52yo, been on MFP for over a year. I'm 5'3" and lost 25 lbs from May 2016 - Jan 2017, been maintaining at 120-125lbs for the past 6 months or so. I am also in my third season of stand-up paddleboard racing, mostly on flat water in Florida. This is my first year on a real race board, as I was previously racing short/SUP Surf boards. Currently, I do the short races (3-4 miles), but hope to start moving up to some of the longer "pro/elite" races (6-10 miles) next year. Most of the ladies in the 50+ division that beat me are older than me, and a couple of them are in their 60's. One of the best/legend paddlers on the east coast is a 65+ yo gent who in one long race a couple of years ago beat all the other paddlers in the race (which had mostly 20-40 yos). It's very do-able to be 50+ and fit.0
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Wow, y'all are truly amazing! I love all of the replies and most of all, your personal stories. Now, I really need to literally step up and join the 50+ & Fit party!2
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I'm 50, soon to be 51! Totally doable! I'm 5'4" and 127 lbs, curvy and toned. Yoga 2x a week and Pilates. Feel free to send me a friend request.1
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Review of the last couple years, and my July so far. I post this stuff in some Challenges threads. Check the Challenges forum.Review ... (Distances include cycling + walking)
March 15: 489.8 km (304.3 miles) = 38 hours 4 min
April: 491.94 km (305.6 miles) = 43 hours 6 min
May: 361.81 km (224.8 miles) = 35 hours 50 min
June: 569.53 km (353.9 miles) = 41 hours 53 min
July 2015: 230.7 km (143.35 miles) = 32 hours 45 min
Aug: 211.3 km (131.3 miles) = 28 hours 8 min
Sep: 306.7 km (190.6 miles) = 35 hour 2 min
Oct: 441.82 km (274.5 miles) = 47 hours 43 min
Nov: 660.21 km (410.23 miles) = 60 hours 41 min
Dec: 499.91 km (282.8 miles) = 54 hours 56 min
Jan: 864.79 km (537.35 miles) = 65 hours 36 min
Feb: 470.53 km (292.4 miles) = 40 hours 39 min
March 16: 917.73 km (570.2 miles) = 66 hours 13 min
April: 417.83 km (259.6 miles) = 40 hours 23 min
May: 267.09 km (165.9 miles) = 36 hours 10 min
June: 552.1 km (343 miles) = 54 hours 48 min
July 2016: 709 km (440.5 miles) = 60 hours 41 minutes
Aug: 775.9 km (482.1 miles) = 54 hours 52 minutes
Sep: 371.3 km (230.7 miles) = 32 hours 20 min
Oct: 649 km (403.3 miles) = 49 hours 46 min
Nov: 403 km (250.4 miles) = 52 hours 16 min
Dec: 511.05 km (317.55 miles) = 52 hours 2 min
Jan: 741.9 km (461.0 miles) = 70 hours 3 min
Feb: 600.5 km (373.1 miles) = 57 hours 30 min
Mar: 1113.2 km (691.7 miles) = 78 hours 25 min
Apr: 1181.9 km (734.4 miles) = 76 hours 45 min
May: 426.6 km (265.1 miles) = 39 hours 21 min
June: 575.7 km (357.7 miles) = 41 hours 53 min
Look at that! I did the same time of exercise in June as I did 2 years ago. Consistency!
July ... somewhere in between my two previous Julys would be good.
_______________________________
July 1 - 161.5 km cycling (510 min) + 0.5 km walking (6 min). This was a 150 km event put on by the BC Randonneurs to celebrate Canada's 150th birthday. Plus a bit extra.
July 2 - 3 km walking (35 min)
July 3 - 3.5 km walking (43.75 min) + 20.00 km cycling (63.16 min)
July 4 - 1 km walking (12 min) + 28.3 km cycling (90 min)
July 5 - 1.5 km walking (18 min) + 33.8 km cycling (105 min)
July 6 - 4 km walking (50 min) + 50.9 km cycling (160 min)
July 7 - 3 km walking (35 min) + 30.5 km cycling (95 min)
2017 Monthly July
Walking Distance (km): 16.5
Walking Time (min): 206.3
Cycling Distance (km): 325.0
Cycling Time (min): 1026.3
Totals
Total Distance (km): 341.5
Total Distance (miles): 212.2
Total Time (min): 1232.6
Total Time (hr): 20:32:344 -
Woke up one day and realized I had become fat, frumpy, and 50+.
Lost 30 lbs and started doing some exercise.
Now I am svelte, strong, and 60+.
My outside now suits my inside.
I have never loved exercising, heck I'd never done any until I was 54! But I do love what I am able to do because I have continued to exercise and started to lift.
Aqua fit and swimming lessons= snorkelling in the Caribbean.
Walking and participating in 10km races= walking all day around, Rome, Istanbul, Pompeii, etc, and still being able to do it again the next day without aching feet.
Belly dancing and zumba= I can still dance till dawn.
Hiking up and down the 2 small mountains that I can see from my living room window= when the going got tough I could lead a pony up through a steep heavily treed mountain slope, then relax in a waterfall at the top. Nothing prepared me for how my thighs felt after a few hours on that pony though- I was walking like John Wayne for a couple of days- not attractive.
Good old Pilates, and the like= rappelling down cliffs, kayaking through mangroves, good flexibility and balance so I will try almost anything.
And best of all I was fit when my one and only grandchild came into this world and I was able to roll around and play with him from day one. He is 7 now and I am still his adventure buddy who roams the woods with him, carries him on my shoulders, and did his first camp out with him this weekend. Just the 2 of us and a stuffed toy to keep us safe.
I will never be a super athlete, it just isn't me, but if I hadn't made the changes I did at the age of 54, I wouldn't be the woman I am at (31days shy of) 64. And I most certainly wouldn't be having so much fun.
Before and after.
Trying to grow some muscles.
Cheers, h.
5'1, SW 130 (54yo), CW 100-105 (almost 64), maintained 7+ years.6 -
Wow! You look amazing! I love your adventurous spirit and it certainly has inspired me! If you started at 54 and look like this now, then there is still hope for me. I am 52 and going to get serious about exercising and having fun! Thanks for sharing.1
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middlehaitch wrote: »Woke up one day and realized I had become fat, frumpy, and 50+.
Lost 30 lbs and started doing some exercise.
Now I am svelte, strong, and 60+.
My outside now suits my inside.
I have never loved exercising, heck I'd never done any until I was 54! But I do love what I am able to do because I have continued to exercise and started to lift.
Aqua fit and swimming lessons= snorkelling in the Caribbean.
Walking and participating in 10km races= walking all day around, Rome, Istanbul, Pompeii, etc, and still being able to do it again the next day without aching feet.
Belly dancing and zumba= I can still dance till dawn.
Hiking up and down the 2 small mountains that I can see from my living room window= when the going got tough I could lead a pony up through a steep heavily treed mountain slope, then relax in a waterfall at the top. Nothing prepared me for how my thighs felt after a few hours on that pony though- I was walking like John Wayne for a couple of days- not attractive.
Good old Pilates, and the like= rappelling down cliffs, kayaking through mangroves, good flexibility and balance so I will try almost anything.
And best of all I was fit when my one and only grandchild came into this world and I was able to roll around and play with him from day one. He is 7 now and I am still his adventure buddy who roams the woods with him, carries him on my shoulders, and did his first camp out with him this weekend. Just the 2 of us and a stuffed toy to keep us safe.
I will never be a super athlete, it just isn't me, but if I hadn't made the changes I did at the age of 54, I wouldn't be the woman I am at (31days shy of) 64. And I most certainly wouldn't be having so much fun.
Before and after.
Trying to grow some muscles.
Cheers, h.
5'1, SW 130 (54yo), CW 100-105 (almost 64), maintained 7+ years.
I am 5"1 also. I would ❤️ to have those abs, bi's & tri's.2 -
@middlehaitch l love your reasons for getting fit! Sounds like you're living it!2
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Thanks for the kind words folks.
To be honest it is the admiration of people like @lorrpb, @Machka9 (above), and @AnnPT77 (not chimed in), and some of the other women that post here regularly that has kept me going some times. *
I love their dedication and love of their particular sport and tried hard to find one that I could fall in love with. I couldn't, so decided to take the variety is the spice of life approach and plan vacations and cruises that had lots of challenging adventures that would require a good level of fitness.
I am not a natural, I prefer a bottle of wine and sitting chatting with good friends or reading a book. My exercise routines are wide and varied and my lifting is a slow progressive recomp- if the opportunity comes up to go away for a few days the programme gets cut from a 3 to a 2 day routine, or dumped and I do body weight or dumbbells.
I have decided so long as I am doing something extra an hour a day 6 days a week, life is grand.
Cheers, h.
Edit: * I should have mentioned a lot of the guys on here are pretty inspirational too.4 -
@middlehaitch you have such a great perspective that helps me too! You are one hot momma!3
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middlehaitch wrote: »Thanks for the kind words folks.
To be honest it is the admiration of people like @lorrpb, @Machka9 (above), and @AnnPT77 (not chimed in), and some of the other women that post here regularly that has kept me going some times. *
I love their dedication and love of their particular sport and tried hard to find one that I could fall in love with. I couldn't, so decided to take the variety is the spice of life approach and plan vacations and cruises that had lots of challenging adventures that would require a good level of fitness.
Thanks @middlehaitch
You were actually one of the ones who inspired me to get back into cycling when I first signed on here!
Variety is good. Although cycling is my main thing, I also enjoy dabbling in other stuff as well. On our recent trip, we got in a couple decent hikes. And we keep talking about getting our canoe on the water again!
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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".
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FYI, all newbies like me to skydiving have to jump with a tandem diver.1
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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
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@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
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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
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I love this post...I turn 50 next month and like the fact there are others in the same boat as me3
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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
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