Congrats!
That is a cool idea.
My 50th was spent walking Hadrian’s Wall in England
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Home from trip to Maine for a wedding. Lots of time in the car and not tons of exercise.
Friday we did a cool trail that walked a couple miles through woods over a “mountain” and ended up at the beach.
Saturday we walked along the coast near Portland Head Light and got in some steps.
Tonight, following a day in the car we walked to our Mexican joint
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Hopefully, I didn’t bore folks with my stories.
Yes, I would do another, if it’s local. Lots of competitiors travel far for these meets, but that’s not a life for me. I do enjoy the competition. There’s something to said about keeping things fresh, a change of pace, and exciting.
I looked up my total (squat+bench+deadlift) and I finished in the top 30% nationally. For a non-powerlifter that’s not too shabby.
As I mentioned before, running (cardio in general) and powerlifting (or Oly lifting) are really antithetical to each other. You can do both, and you should do both IMO, but to be elite in either discipline, you really need to focus on one or the other.
Most powerlifters think cardio is a 4 letter word. When you run a lot, you lose muscle mass. And when you build muscle mass via powerlifting, your running gets slower and more difficult to do.
Now, I can get back to my regularly scheduled programmimg. I ran 5 miles today and did some core work and rolling out.
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I’m started to exercise before breakfast. That may be the only way I can be consistent.
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Because I’m exercising before breakfast, H is now doing so as well. It feels good—hope we can keep it going!
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What a great update!
In hotter seasons, I often run before breakfast to get an earlier start. If I do have breakfast first, it is usually just a poached egg and maybe some juice… then wait a while before heading out.
Saturday was such a lovely day that instead of running my usual 5k, I ran another 5k too. Did the same on Monday, even though after 10k (which does take me a while) it was sunny and temp up in 70s. I just remind myself that in winter I’ll crave the warmth.
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Hello all – So I made a post in a random thread about weight, and women’s comments and my generally crappy perception of myself, and then I was steered to this thread. And with fall starting and my somewhat-active gardening life slowly winding down, I’m reaching my annual agonizing about “I need to do something…”
As I said in the other thread, I am very unhappy with my weight. Maybe some accountability will help - I’m 57 and about 190lbs/5’5".
I can easily rattle off a half-dozen reasons why I have a hard time even getting started doing anything, to wit: We live in the middle of woods; the closest gym (a Retro Fitness that I gave up on a few years ago) is 10 miles. The only other gym is about 30 minutes away - it’s a Y. But I am really leery of any public spaces right now, even though ironically, with wfh, I now absolutely have the time to work out every day, which I never had before.
There are various personal trainers I see advertised around, but I don’t know anyone that does that to even get a recommendation, nor do I know if I could afford it.
In addition to living in the middle of woods, we are halfway down the side of a steep mountain. So even walking is not something I could ease into; it’d be hardcore right out the door. (I’m a former smoker; quit 10 years ago but still vape.)
Physical issues: Can’t do high-impact anything because of childbirth-caused mild incontinence and ankle surgery twice in the last five years for breaks & bad sprains. Also, the ex-smoker thing… All of these things are so depressing to write down!
While my weight situation sucks, hubby cooks from scratch and that’s a blessing. Of course, I supplement the wonderful dinners he makes with hours of snacking on trail mix or chips or crackers while I sit and wfh, and that’s my downfall: salty treats.
Getting stronger is my real impetus for writing any of this down. I can cry about my weight forever, that’s what it is, and maybe it’ll get better or maybe I will never quit the chips – but I don’t want to end up like my mother, who could barely move the last 10 years of her life, brittle and weak as hell. I have got to change that legacy.
I would love y’all’s expert advice. Walking, even if I drive someplace flat? Personal trainer? Brave the Y? I’ve watched some YT videos but have a hard time sticking with them. I feel like I need to have scheduling or payments or something formal that’ll be incentivizing.
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That’s your impetus, changing your legacy. Tomorrow is a new day. Don’t be afraid to start. We all started from the beginning. It’s just you against you.
What do you think about buying yourself a treadmill, rower, air bike, or some type of cardio machine for your garage or somewhere in your home as a start? Maybe some kettlebells or dumbells?
I’d probably start with a personal trainer, someone with their own equipment that they’ll bring to you at home. They’ll be able to see firsthand any movement limitations that you may have, like any issues with ankle mobility for example. An experienced and sharp trainer will scale exercises for you until such time scaling is no longer needed.
The one exercise that I would recommend, above all others, is the squat. No weight is necessary to start. Obviously, I’d layer other movements on top of squats, but I’d simply begin with the legs, back and core. Build the foundation from the bottom. Again, under the guidance of a professional trainer.
And it’s time to empty the house of any and all bad snack foods. Clear it out now. It’s quitting time. There’s nothing wrong with a handful of unsalted nuts and seeds each day, but snacks should be limited to something like unsalted nuts, apple slices, low fat yogurt, veges with a light dip, etc. A small serving/portion 1x or 2x a day is fine.
I’d ditch the vaping, but I think that’s a whole separate issue to work on maybe for later. Lungs are pretty friggin’ important to life/survival, thus I wouldn’t want to be filling them with any kind of smoke.
That’s how I would begin tomorrow. I wish you luck on your journey. I remember a saying that was emblazoned on the wall of a gym that said: “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.”
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I forgot to mention this. In the powerlifting (squat, bench press and deadlift) competition this past weekend, competing was an 80+ year old man and woman.
You can do it.
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Gatormama – I find going to the gym motivating. There is nothing else to do there but work out! Good luck!!!
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@Gatormama - can you find someone to walk/work out with? Would a spouse/partner or friend be interested? You could then drive/meet up somewhere to walk. Is there a local running group? Look into them and see if they have a walking group.
Having a fitness buddy is great for accountability and fun.
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If a personal trainer is too $$$ or overwhelming to find at the moment - and I admit both would be obstacles for me. I get overwhelmed picking out a book at Barnes and Nobles 
- Beachbody might not be a bad idea to start. It’s made for people who don’t want to, or can’t, work out in a gym. You can get a free two week trial, and then it’s $10/month (no commitment), or $100/year. But not - I do NOT recommend buying into their supplements or even buying their equipment. It’s just $$$ and not necessary. The equipment you can buy much cheaper on Amazon or anywhere really.
You get access to dozens of programs in all areas of fitness and ability levels. Some don’t even require any equipment to get started. There’s yoga, dancing, barre, traditional weight lifting, HIIT, MMA, etc. Every program comes with workout calendar that lasts ~3-13 weeks, so you’re told what video to do each day and when to rest. The videos not only come with a trainer, but also a cast who’s there to suffer along with you. Every program has a modifier - and also don’t be afraid to modifier the modifier! You’re in the privacy of your own home. Don’t worry about looking like an idiot (BTDT!!!) Just keep track of what you do and try to be better the next time. “Do your best and forget the rest!” and “Don’t let your past define you. Make progress from your past.” are a couple of my favorite phrases they use.
if you do decide to join, you’ll be assigned a “coach.” Coach is the term for the person who just makes $$$ off what you buy. Don’t rely on them for expertise. But, if you’re lucky they will have an online group that posts and motivates each other. My original one had a great one - we were all women in our 40s-60s and in various stages of fitness. But that fell apart and I’m just on my own now.
If you do decide to join, I’d recommend Barre Blend to start because it uses little to no equipment, but don’t let the label of beginner stress you out. It’s REALLY hard, but you just do what you can. I’m very strong and do mostly advanced programs, and 5 pounds was too much really. I would have to put them down at times. If you feel the need to add weight, use soup cans. But I know a lot of people love that program (though personally it’s not for me)
ShaunT is SUPER motivational and he has a new program that is easier and more dance like. His stuff is usually high impact and uses minimal weights, but there is always a low impact modifier. I love ShaunT as a motivator. The last few months I have been listening to his workouts as I run/do cardio just for motivation.
If you have some weights at home, I’d recommend Mega Davies’s MBA/MBA. She’s very positive and a good intro to weights. I personally like Autumn’s stuff, but she does talk a lot of how you look and is supposedly a little too obsessed on the food front on social media. People seem to love or hate her.
I love Amoila Cesar’s stuff too, but it might be a bit advanced for you at the moment, but he has a new program that will be out soon that is more low key.
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Thanks for all the suggestions.
We have an exercise bike that is a clothes hanger in the basement, haha. I’ve used it exactly once in all the time it’s been here. My kids used it a lot though, so I’m glad we had it during this time. Is something at that level really necessary? Wouldn’t walking be OK? Like, if I cut out the bad snacks, walked, did some strength work, would that be OK?
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Sure! All of that is OK for general health and fitness. The key is to find what you enjoy doing and can stick with forever. Consistency over time is the biggest key to fitness. (but also don’t be afraid to change anything up if you get bored or find it doesn’t work for you anymore)
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@Gatormama so glad you came over to this thread! We NEED you to also breathe new life and mind provoking thoughts for us!!!
Walking is SO good.
Most of your routine things - work, grocery shopping, house cleaning, brushing our teeth, etc. all happen because we create a routine or schedule for them. Exercise is the same. Making it part of your routine (not “I’m going to try and go for a walk to night” - decide that 5-5:20 is your walk time and do it!)
To start out my thought is do just try and do 10% more than you are doing now. Are you doing nothing now? Then aim for 10-20 minutes of something to start. Do that for 2 weeks. Add 10% more. Make it manageable and do-able. The right choice is the one that you are going to actually do!
You mentioned trying YouTube and not loving it. May I ask what type of videos you were doing? I have several people on YouTube I like - some are actually to do indoor walking exercise. And you know what? - if the video is 30 minutes long you don’t have to do the whole video! If you have 20 mins available or if that’s all your attention span will take, DO 20 MINUTES!
It’s your game to play. The point is MOVE. Once you move on a consistent basis you will start to look forward to it and hopefully feel mental if not physical benefits.
Many of us here were not lifelong athletes! Some of us started getting active in our 50’s. We all have ups and downs! But we do our best to keep moving. 
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I agree with so much of what @abasket said.
You’ll be most successful if you pick something you actually will do, whether that’s walking or riding the stationary bike. Start wherever you are and add 10% each week. That might be time, such as walking for 20 minutes then going to 22 minutes, or intensity – walk a mile in 30 minutes, then next week walk a mile in 27 minutes.
And for me, scheduling a time to do it is key. I exercise at 11 a.m. My family and friends know not to call me then. It’s MY time. Of course, I am flexible when I need to be, but at first, until you establish the habit, don’t be flexible. It takes a few weeks to establish a good habit.
I don’t know how much this would be motivating to you as different people are motivated by different things, but I got re-jumpstarted when I bought my Apple watch. I had lost 50 pounds and got it was a reward, and it was pretty eye-opening how sedentary I was when I wasn’t working out. You can set the rings however you want and readjust them as you go.
You’ve been giving a LOT of advice so I won’t overwhelm you. I will end with this mantra … You can’t out-train a poor diet. All the working out in the world likely won’t get you top results if you don’t adjust your food intake, whether that’s how much or what particular foods you eat. That’s why when on the other thread when someone asked about processed foods, I posted a link. I didn’t know until my “trainer” told me about the the relationship with processed foods and hormones. I am learning all kinds of things on this journey, a lifelong one for me.
ETA: I could go on forever! Agree about the weightlifting, too, which is new for me. Keep asking questions. People on here love to help.
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@abasket I like YouTube as well. I have been much more successful keeping myself motivated to work out at home by doing short 25 min YouTube workout videos. For some reason, I am more apt to get it done knowing it is only 25 mins versus 50-60 minutes. The ones I do (BodyFit by Amy) focus on strength training so they are low impact (combo of lunges, squats, etc with hand weights doing arm/shoulder exercises at same time).
The Fitness Blender arm/shoulder and ab videos, which I heard about here, are also great 10 min workouts.
I have had tremendous results from both of these workouts. Combined with a concentration on healthier eating, I lost 25 lbs b/w March and August that I gained from menopause and Covid. I lost inches in my thighs, waist and arms and feel so much stronger.
@gatormom I am also a salty snacker and love crunchy stuff like chips/salsa or crackers with cheese. It was hard to break that habit. Finding a good substitute was difficult. I eat a lot of bell peppers and hummus. Occasionally a hard boiled egg. Nuts. I put shelled pistachios, pepitas and sometimes wasabi peas in my salads.
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OMG, I would never be able to attend to a 50-60 minute indoor video! My attention span would not have it! - a 50-60 minute walk outside ? YES.
YouTube saves me this time of year when it’s too dark to do much outside before I leave for work at 7:15am. Over time (not right away!) I have accumulated a short list of things I’m willing to do at 6am - a small menu that I can choose from depending on weather, motivation, etc.
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All my online workouts are at least 50 minutes. lol I figure that if I’m going to make the time then I want to make it really worth the effort. About 15 minutes of that is warmup/cooldown.
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