Back when our nest emptied up, Mr. and I decided to start runninh around the 'hood together. It turned out that I was significantly faster, so I would literally run in circles around him to keep him company. 
On rainy nights, getting out of the house was quite an adventure. Then Mr. had knee issues and underwent a meniscus surgery. That was pretty much the end of his running, and upon his doctor’s advice, switched to biking. We turned our home office into a gym and equipped it with a recumbent bike for Mr. and the treadmill I mentioned above (for me). I would run on the 'mill and he would pedal his bike for 40 minutes 4-5 times a week. On weekends, when the weather was decent enough to venture outside, we would load his (ugly, no good) mountain bike up on the truck and drive to the local trail. I would run my long runs, and he would bike for as long as I ran. It worked well for us. Regular bike seats hurt me, so we got an Ellipgo awhile ago for me to accompany Mr. on his bike rides. We had not had a chance to ride because our “new” house kept us pretty busy with weekend projects, but we are mostly done and plan on dusting the bikes off in the spring. We still exercise together in our new (to us) home gym and also go for long walks in the neighborhood every now and then when there is a break in the weather.
As a middle age female (45yo) I can say the struggle is real!!
I’ve historically been a runner and hiker and thin and fit, but over the last year or two I think with perimenopaus my weight has creeped up and it is so hard to get it off, it’s really depressing. I’d been focusing on hiking the last few years but in an effort to get in better shape I am now training for a half marathon in March. I just did 7.5 miles this morning (at a slow pace haha).
I’m also trying to eat fairly low carb but that is also hard for me as a loooove food and drink. Would love any tips on how to fight the middle aged spread…it is so much harder to lose weight now then before…
(also any tips for outdoor activities in Minneapolis for next month - trying to plan a college visit haha)
I’m jumping in here (figuratively - no way could I actually jump right now LOL)… I am definitely on the “light” side, as in that I’ve been needing to get back on track.
I’m 59 and have never been super athletic. Not a runner or a swimmer. I did play tennis in high school and sporadically as an adult. My weight is a serious issue for me. You know the Freshman 15? Well, I have the 50’s 50. I literally have gained close to 50 pounds in my 50s. Horrifying. There have been times that I’ve gone down about ten to fifteen (and then gained it back), but I’ve never been able to get back to what I was in my early 40’s.
As for exercise, about 3 years ago I joined a fitness group that was intense interval training. We did cardio, weights, balance, etc and I was literally the worst and most out of shape in the group. Still, I stuck with it 3x week and I definitely felt more fit and strong, although my weight didn’t change much. After a surgery where I couldn’t workout for 6 weeks, then shortly after returning I had an injury that sidelined me again, I just ended up quitting - this was about a year ago.
In September I joined my local rec center and bought an annual pass. This would give me unlimited gym passes as well as passes for any classes. I have literally gone once. One time since September. I just had eyelid surgery earlier this week so can’t work out for a couple of weeks, but once I’m cleared I have re-committed to start going on a regular basis. But I almost feel intimidated at the thought of starting from zero again. Still, I think that seeing this new thread on CC is a sign that I should get moving and get inspiration from you all. So thanks for giving me the push!
@MichaelNKat Also count me as someone who has probably under-rated the elliptical. What about an ARC Trainer? Is that also a good choice? I prefer it over an elliptical, but could be persuaded to change if the the workout is better.
I tend to work out alone. H needs to exercise, but doesn’t. Nagging is highly UNproductive with him, so I don’t. A year ago he bought a Concept II rower and was a consistent user for about a month. Since then, not so much and I use it more than he does.
Once in a while I walk with a friend, which is a fun change. I also play a lot of golf in the summer and always walk the course – unless it’s wicked hot and humid.
I walk on average over 50k steps a week. Blew out my shoulders doing 9Round kickboxing. 2 months ago I bought a NordicTrack bike. Slowly getting better with it as I was so terribly out of shape. Now if only I could control my diet to shed 30 lbs or more! Being a stressed out mid 40’s female isnt easy on my gut!
I work out alone and with others. Each has a role. Today I ran with some newbie runners I know from swimming. Tomorrow I will run alone.
My husband is very active and has a better diet than I do since he lacks my sweet tooth. We do many of them same activities but not always together. I used to be much faster and fitter, now he is faster than I am. The biggest exercise difference between us is that I like it and he doesn’t. He runs and swims because he knows it is good for him while I do it because I enjoy it. If we sign up for a local race, I’ll do the half marathon and he will do the 10K. Same for swimming: he loves fast Friday practices while I prefer 800m, 1600m, and hour swims.
We are good for each other. He sees me get up and run or go to swim and then feels like he should be doing the same. I see him snack on fruits and nuts instead of cookies and do the same.
I’m a little envious of those who have H’s who enjoy fitness! Mine will take a trail walk about 3 times a week (his own pace) but besides as @BunsenBurner calls it “functional fitness” - which is in itself limited! - he doesn’t do much, but needs to. Weight is an issue.
@my2sunz , when you’re ready to get back in the groove (when medically released) let us help motivate you!
I’m also Lol’ing…“middle age spread” or “middle middle age spread”?! I suffer from that middle area that I’d like to lose. I’m convinced if I would cut out sugar and bad carbs for the most part I’d lose it - actually doing that is the challenge!
I was recently listening to Robert Santana (RD & co-owner of Weights & Plates barbell gym in AZ) on a podcast and he said something that stuck with me.
Since a normal part of aging is the loss of muscle mass, it’s probably more helpful to think of ourselves as “under-muscled” rather than “over-fat”.
I don’t know about the rest of you, but when your engine has gotten smaller (less muscle mass), it’s even more difficult to lose fat. It’s easy to end up “skinny fat”. I certainly was!
DH has been into fitness much longer than I have. He works out alone, not interested in getting any advice from a trainer - when I see him do free weights I’m honestly not sure he’s doing it correctly, but I can’t tell him anything about his routine. He has never had a weight problem & takes no meds at 65yo.
We may be in the gym at the same time, but we don’t work out together. We occasionally take walks together.
@TheFrenchChef - I struggle with staying low carb. I instead focus on whole grain carbs and portion control. It’s easier for me that way. Although I do try to have a couple of dinners/week that are double veggie, no carbs.
I used to carry all of my weight in my thighs and tush, since menopause, it’s now shifting to the middle. Last year I lost weight but gained an inch around the middle. Not happy! 
My husband does zero exercise except for on the weekends, and even then he’s a lightweight. He abandoned me on our walk today less than three blocks from the house because the snow was “too wet.” I’m used to walking alone so continued on without him. I didn’t melt.
He eats whatever he wants and doesn’t gain an ounce. I wish I could trade metabolism with him!!!
As you might surmise, my workout holds no appeal to my spouse. She will either walk or bike with friends.
I have the camaraderie of the mostly “kids” in my small gym. We actually yell “Norm!” when one of us walks into the gym, though many of them were probably not alive for the original airing of Cheers. But I workout alone. In fact, sometimes, I’m actually the only one in the gym. The gym is my happy place.
A few years ago, my family and I took a trip to UT to see the national parks. At Arches, we parked in the lot and walked over to the trail to see the one beautiful arch all by itself. There was a choice, a 3-mile hike in the 90 degree heat or walk to the lookout point, which was about 1/4 mile up the trail. Guess which one I chose and guess which one my wife and kids chose. 
That’s my family!
Love hearing everyone’s journey.
Great topics! My husband and I met through running. We were both part of the corporate running team at our employer in Dallas and won several national championships. We wouldn’t have met through our work there. We were both really good age group runners, but as we aged, he had a lot of foot issues and prefers biking now. His last marathon was in 2000 and on the bus on the way to the start (Big Sur in California) he said, “Please, God, let me get through this and I promise I’ll never do it again!” He placed in his age group and hasn’t done it again, although he does run in the winter months when it is too cold for him to cycle outdoors. He does spin and weights during the winter, too. When we were both top runners, people were jealous that we shared that interest, but we could get pretty competitive. My husband said to someone, “It’s fine as long as you both are doing well or both are doing terrible!” As it turned out, our son turned out to be faster than both of us and was beating us when he was pretty young and we were still pretty good. We’re older and slower now!
Yeah- the running falls are bad. Besides the treadmill “incident”, I’ve had some bad outside falls and have had a few butterfly stitches on my forehead. I have a low foot pickup, so don’t dare do trail running. I can trip over dust! I fell 3 times in one marathon that was on a path that had some rocks and roots - nothing bad, but I managed to find them. I was hell bent on finishing because you didn’t get the t-shirt ( @OhioOhio will relate) until the finish. Turns out I cracked some ribs.
@TheFrenchChef, that “middle aged spread” is a toughie even for active people but you are not alone. Some strategies that I have found to work include logging my food every day so I know what I am really eating and not underestimating my intake, generally cutting out all refined, processed carbs and foods with added sugars and making sure that I get a lot of protein and some healthy fats each day. Then also try to get in some type of movement based activity at least 30 minutes 5 days per week. And while low carb diet plans are very popular right now, you really don’t need to eat low carb to regulate or eliminate “middle aged spread”. Carbs really are not the enemy. Refined, processed carbs, added sugar and over indulging in calorie dense foods are really your enemy. And for your long distance running training, you want to have enough carb intake to fuel your activity level and recover. Just be aware of what you are eating, eat slowly and stop when you are “80%” full.
@CBBBlinker, the ARC trainer is a great piece of equipment. It’s really an elliptical on steroids. The variable height adjustment that can be made on the fly is a great feature. In addition to the Cybex units, Precor makes what it calls its EFX trainer which is very similar to the Cybex.
@oldmom4896 – if you are going to a gym, then I think you can arrange personal training sessions at just about any gym. At some places they might be included with the membership, at least for some introductory sessions. I have Silver Sneakers, so I don’t pay directly for a membership, but I think when I started there was an initial free session with a trainer, and I know that today the gym is having a special day with free training sessions for anyone who signed up for one. I also bought a couple of training packages - so it definitely was worthwhile to have someone show me all the appropriate equipment. It very quickly turned out that the elliptical is definitely not my thing — but I think it’s worth trying out all the equipment and then settling into a routine that works for you
I tripped on the side walk in the dark last fall, my glasses got scratched, and I had a black eye and scratched cheekbone, but luckily otherwise unharmed. I go to the gym with husband and hike with him when we hike.
I never seem to get as sweaty on the elliptical. It claims I’m burning more calories than the treadmill, but it sure doesn’t feel like it.
I never had a belly until menopause. I don’t have a big problem there, but I don’t like it. I am finding success shedding my middle by cutting out processed carbs (I eat other carbs) and refined sugar. Reducing stress is also key for me. Exercise in & of itself has less impact on weight loss for me now than it did when I was younger. That is, I can’t lose the jiggle just by amping up my workouts. Once upon a time, I could just exercise more to make up for eating or drinking too much. Now I find that I have to eat healthy & exercise every day to keep my middle from being a muffin top. I am okay with that, because I feel like it’s my body telling me how to live right. I am trying to listen & obey!
My wife doesn’t work out so at home, I’m on my own. My kids, on the other hand, are work out animals from another planet. My daughter (who is a certified kettlebell instructor, among other things) throws around 26 kg kettlebells (singles and doubles) like they are paperweights. My son competes on a national level in submission BJJ fights and lifts very heavy weights. He normally fights at 150 lbs and has a 550 lb dead lift but recently upped his weight a bit to fight in the 180 class and in the process increased his deadlift to 615 lb. I just shake my head at them with pride and amazement over their fitness accomplishments. Sometimes, they will even deign to slum it and work out with me, lol.
@mathmom, ouch about your fall! Glad you weren’t seriously hurt.
Calorie burns shown on cardio equipment are usually very inaccurate. Little value other than to trend intensity of workouts on the same machine (but not across different machines). But even then, there are better ways to track intensity. And comparing your sweating is not one of them. Sweating is just a thermal dynamic response to control your body temp. There are loads of variables other than exercise intensity that influence how much you sweat during a given work out.
Wildly impressive! BEAST mode.
Stop! I’m either shuddering at your injury descriptions, or laughing out loud. Haha!