Heavy Lifting for a 50 year old woman?

ncytiz
ncytiz Posts: 105 Member
edited November 11 in Fitness and Exercise
I'm getting close to my goal weight and I still look kind of "soft" all over. I realize now that I'll probaby still need to lose more if I want to look better. I've lost my weight by counting calories, running and doing Jillian Michaels DVD's.

I've been reading all the comments on lifting heavy and I wonder if it would help me look more fit. I'm considering getting the New Rules of Lifting for Women and giving that a try. Can lifting benefit a woman my age?
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Replies

  • ncytiz
    ncytiz Posts: 105 Member
    Bump. Anyone???
  • zafferFL
    zafferFL Posts: 402
    I'm getting close to my goal weight and I still look kind of "soft" all over. I realize now that I'll probaby still need to lose more if I want to look better. I've lost my weight by counting calories, running and doing Jillian Michaels DVD's.

    I've been reading all the comments on lifting heavy and I wonder if it would help me look more fit. I'm considering getting the New Rules of Lifting for Women and giving that a try. Can lifting benefit a woman my age?

    Q: Can lifting benefit a woman my age?
    A: Yes
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    Oh, hell yes! I'm only a little bit younger than you, and it's benefiting me.
  • Beeps2011
    Beeps2011 Posts: 12,194 Member
    Yes. One of my great MOTIVATORS for lifting heavy is another poster, on this forum, who is my height, but not my age.

    I am 43 and she is nearly a decade older than me....but, in 2011 she lost 70 lbs (I think that's the number) and started strength training and entered a NOVICE competition in October, 2011!!

    She LOOKS awesome. She IS awesome. And, she whittled her body into a rock-solid emblem of incredible strength and health.

    Lifting HEAVY is for EVERYONE.

    (In fact, my gym has lifting equipment for WHEELCHAIR-bound persons!!!)
  • Meggles63
    Meggles63 Posts: 916 Member
    I sure hope so...I'll be 49 this year, and I want to get rid of some of my soft spots!
  • lisao62
    lisao62 Posts: 80 Member
    I too, am fifty, I have lost 46 lbs and don't look like what i thought i'd look like at this weight. I have recently started lifting with a trainer at the gym. It's been 3 weeks and I have lost 1 1/2 inches at my waist. I go twice weekly and I'm currently reading New Rules of Lifting for Woman. I want to get " there" and stay there. Good Luck to you
  • hottottie11
    hottottie11 Posts: 907 Member
    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/13/ernestine-shepard-74-year_n_644607.html

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eae3_LDysY8

    Anymore questions?
  • BobbyDaniel
    BobbyDaniel Posts: 1,459 Member
    I don't see why it wouldn't be effective for anyone, any gender, any age.
  • Leahnh
    Leahnh Posts: 30
    Strength training will definitely make you look more toned and less soft.
  • sarahbetherck
    sarahbetherck Posts: 270 Member
    Absolutely!
  • HolleeERL
    HolleeERL Posts: 313 Member
    I'm pretty sure women over 40 need to do more strength training. Helps with the bone loss among other awesome benefits. :o) I think you'll love the results you get from it as well! Happy lifting!
  • Victoria2448
    Victoria2448 Posts: 559 Member
    I'll lift heavy until the day I die...then I hope Heaven has a gym. It must or ot wouldn't be Heaven, :laugh:
  • HolleeERL
    HolleeERL Posts: 313 Member
    ...and let me add that you look pretty fabulous. Would not have guessed you were 50!
  • nopswd
    nopswd Posts: 12
    It's not only a good thing it's really the only thing that will really give you that sleek toned look. Build some real muscle mass. Don't worry you won't "bulk" up. That is the biggest myth out there. It's hard at first and you will be sore but it's so worth it.
  • jineat
    jineat Posts: 25 Member
    I'm 51 and lift and I do a lot of strength training and it is toning me very well I must say.
  • jjblogs
    jjblogs Posts: 327 Member
    46 and heavy lifting. DO IT.
  • funkycamper
    funkycamper Posts: 998 Member
    I started lifting light weights when I was 53. Upped it to heavy weights/less reps after my 54th birthday. I'm loving the changes it's making to my body. Wish I started out heavy sooner.
  • tangal88
    tangal88 Posts: 689
    47 and lifting heavy.

    I can rock a bikini. :)

    Heavy lifting has tightened me all over, and helped me lose excess fat faster. Well worth it.

    This girls another good example of a "not as young" lifter.

    Shes age 40

    Rob-hammer-2.jpg

    Never to late to start!
  • Elizabeth_C34
    Elizabeth_C34 Posts: 6,376 Member
    I saw a man at my gym today who must have been at least 65 benching 150 lbs putting the skinny 20 year dudes to shame. If HE can do it, you can get your tookus in there and do it to.

    KILL it sister! I'll so be rooting for you!
  • Coco_Puff
    Coco_Puff Posts: 823 Member
    Yes, I love it!!! I'm almost 54 and weight training has been the best. I can go on vacation now and eat what I want and maintain my weight. Before, when I just did cardio, I'd always come back home weighing more!!!!
  • ncytiz
    ncytiz Posts: 105 Member
    You guys are amazing! Thanks so much for the encouragement :happy:
  • almc170
    almc170 Posts: 1,093 Member
    The more I learn about the subject, the more convinced I am that it's not only possible, but necessary. I'm 42 and just getting ready to start the NROL4W program. I'm also looking forward to reading The New Rules of Lifting for Life (comes out in April, I believe). It's specifically geared for the middle-aged crowd.


    13438744.png
  • ncytiz
    ncytiz Posts: 105 Member
    I'm also looking forward to reading The New Rules of Lifting for Life (comes out in April, I believe). It's specifically geared for the middle-aged crowd.

    Good to know. I'll have to watch out for that one as well. Thanks!
  • tangal88
    tangal88 Posts: 689
    The more I learn about the subject, the more convinced I am that it's not only possible, but necessary. I'm 42 and just getting ready to start the NROL4W program. I'm also looking forward to reading The New Rules of Lifting for Life (comes out in April, I believe). It's specifically geared for the middle-aged crowd.


    13438744.png

    For me, it is. When I drop strength training with heavy weights, pounds creep back on.....
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,336 Member
    Yes it can benefit you. Better yet, heaving lifting will help increase your bone density. Other than having some physical limitation that stops you from doing so, lifting heavy weight can benefit people of any age, the only exception would be young people whose growth plates on the bones have not closed up yet, but even they can benefit from weights, but need to be careful. Make sure you warm up well, and that you have a good understanding of proper form. A good personal trainer can be invaluable here. Youtube can help as well. And there are lots of knowledgeable people here on MFP as well.
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    check this lady out. she's 73

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/29/ernestine-shepherd-worlds-oldest-female-bodybuilder_n_868577.html
  • jhalton
    jhalton Posts: 85
    I'm not a woman, but I am 50 :). I highly recommend strength training. I think the older I get the more I need to add strenth to my aging joints, etc. If a gym intimidates you, you can workout at home with little investment. If a gym is intimidating, check around and ask to workout for a week for free or small fee to get the 'feel' of a gym. If the gym if full of meatheads gawking at you, find another. Check out Jen Talton's blog: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/myboysmomx2/view/new-rules-of-lifting-for-women-what-equipment-is-needed-216963. Send her a friend request. She is a MFP superstar so you may not get alot one-on-one attention, but she is into The New Rules of Lifting for Women too. Feel free to send me a friend request if you want.

    Blessings,

    Jack
  • AussieMisfit
    AussieMisfit Posts: 78 Member
    Have a look at bodybuilding.com they have some great plans - with some specifically for women 40+. And there are demo videos, it's free and there's no ordering and waiting for a book to arrive.
  • itsanot
    itsanot Posts: 89 Member
    I'm 49, I lift weights 3-5 times a week as my schedule permits! I love it! I was at a plateau till I started this 2 months ago. I was watching my calories but not really losing anything. I met with a personal trainer that showed me how to lift properly, and set me up on a routine. I've been doing that for 2 months slowly upping my weights and loving every minute of it! Yes you will find muscles you never knew you had!! Go for it!! You will not regret it at all!
  • myboysmomx2
    myboysmomx2 Posts: 505 Member
    I'm not a woman, but I am 50 :). I highly recommend strength training. I think the older I get the more I need to add strenth to my aging joints, etc. If a gym intimidates you, you can workout at home with little investment. If a gym is intimidating, check around and ask to workout for a week for free or small fee to get the 'feel' of a gym. If the gym if full of meatheads gawking at you, find another. Check out Jen Talton's blog: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/myboysmomx2/view/new-rules-of-lifting-for-women-what-equipment-is-needed-216963. Send her a friend request. She is a MFP superstar so you may not get alot one-on-one attention, but she is into The New Rules of Lifting for Women too. Feel free to send me a friend request if you want.

    Blessings,

    Jack

    Thanks for sharing this Jack! I love heavy lifting and I think you will too. It is truly our way to the "Fountain of Youth!" For some reason, the link that Jack included above doesn't work. Try this one instead: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/myboysmomx2?month=201202
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