Welcome to the New 50+Fabulous Community!

Check out these tips on getting and staying fit!

Discuss the column by Basia Gentry.

During the last year and a half I have spent way too much time at my laptop working on growing my business.  Consequently, I have put on weight because of my lack of activity.  This past Mother’s Day weekend, I attended a wedding and had the chance to get some instant feedback, via my new digital camera, on my appearance.  Yikes….the camera doesn’t lie and it was a turning point for me. 

That Monday, I decided to dust off my walking DVD’s and get started on becoming a fabulous 50!  Since then, I have walked between 12 and 15 miles per week in the comfort of my own home.  I have never been one for the gym, so this is perfect for me.  This DVD’s by Leslie Sansone are the perfect combination of cardio and resistance for muscle toning for me.  Plus, it is gentle on my knees.

I am thrilled with the results.  Eight pounds down!  This exercise in combination with a bit of portion control has given me the jumpstart I needed to get myself back into shape.

Any women in our age range knows that it becomes increasingly difficult to shed unwanted pounds.  Activity is a must….whatever you choose.  This week I am throwing in a bit of ballroom dancing (an old hobby of mine that I loved) into the mix too.  I am determined to fit back into that closet full of beautiful clothes that are waiting for me!

Not a lot of activity here, but that’s ok. Time for me to get the ball rolling again. I sure wish there were women like me and close to me in San Diego to start exercising with.  I found this place by searching on Google and it has a nice motivating factor.

Well, to everyone reading and trying to find their own fitness balance, “Cheers!”

Christine

I am nearly 56.  The gym kept me in fantastic shape before I moved to a very rural mountainous area a couple years ago.  So I “back slid” and gained 10-15 pounds and lost my hard earned muscle. Back on the right track again however.  Treadmill, walking up and down our mountain with my German Shepherd puppy, food journal to stay under 1500 calories and dumb bells for strength training.  My goal is 120-125 pounds for my 5’4” frame…currently hovering around 129-131…would love to hear from others who are trying!

i try to walk alot during the day, but with this heat!
its hard to stay motivated when its 90 pluse outside!
i do try, to do it early mornings when its a little cooler..
ive been walking for a couple of years now, but, i do have thyroid problems that flar up from time to time, and it can make me gain weight..
right now, iam steady at 130..
iam 5ft tall, and should weaigh less i know, but, i think iam going to checkout a gym to do more weight training..
they say, we wwomen over 50, need to do that for our bones aswell as our muscles…
as the weather gets cooler, ill be able to do more for sure…
bren

Hilda0414 - 05 July 2009 12:09 PM

I am nearly 56.  The gym kept me in fantastic shape before I moved to a very rural mountainous area a couple years ago.  So I “back slid” and gained 10-15 pounds and lost my hard earned muscle. Back on the right track again however.  Treadmill, walking up and down our mountain with my German Shepherd puppy, food journal to stay under 1500 calories and dumb bells for strength training.  My goal is 120-125 pounds for my 5’4” frame…currently hovering around 129-131…would love to hear from others who are trying!

Hi,

I’m not sure how or if I’m doing this correctly, but I’d love to connect to someone who is activitly trying to lose weight also.  I’m 54 and quite overweight, but so far have lost 7 lbs.  I was kind of surprised that I haven’t found more sites like this, so I’m hoping to connect. Since your post said you’d like to connect and it was recent, I hope to hear back from you. 

Hello,

What a great forum and site. Here is a story that I like to share with you.

Three months ago Maggie contacted my practice. She has not been active for about 20 years and currently is 75. Tests revealed a forward headed body posture, an out of balance muscular system, weak cardiovascular and muscular strength. Yet, she was ready to turn it around. And she did in 3 weeks. She went from 221 lbs to 205 lbs. Started to from only walking to active jogging for 30 minutes again. And her waist reduced from 55 inches to 40 inches.

There are many factors that you need to consider when you start a fitness program when you are inactive. Here are my top 5:

Flexibility - Do you have the full range of motion to execute movements that take advantage of the ranges of your joints?

Posture - Structural changes because of a faulty posture can cause pain. Before you pick up resistance, underlining causes need to be corrected. Why strengthen a faulty function muscular system?

Movements - There are many movements that can be executed - lunging, walking, squatting, twisting, crawling, bending, running, sprinting, pushing, and pulling. If you have trouble of the executing the primal movement patters, start slowly. Find a professional near by who can help you to get back your functions again. And keep in mind, there might be movements that you want to stay from (everybody is different).

Digestion - You digestive system slows down through the aging process. Because of this your body receives less nutrients for repair and energy. First step when starting your exercise program is to adjust your nutrition as well to support a better digestion and utilization of nutrients. Fresh lemon juice before a meal can be one simple strategy.

Stay focused.

Stefan

Hi,

Jigjagger here. Got the email that someone had posted to this site.  I actually forgot that I had posted anything!  I’m still overweight, but have now dropped two sizes. I have been watching what I eat a lot better, but I know I should watch more (and do more).  It makes sense about the digestive system, but hadn’t thought about it.  I’m going to try the lemon water.

thanks

Your very welcome. You can find more tips on my blog at http://www.strength123.com.

Ask questions please.

Thanks.

Stefan

I work out with a personal trainer 3 times a week in a group called FitCamp.  That keeps my muscles toned, but is not enought to keep weight off.  Knowing I should exercise daily, I was looking for something I could enjoy.  I came across stand up paddle boarding where you stand on a large (11 foot) surflike board and paddle.  I now do this 3 - 4 times a week and love it.  It not only gives you a great cardio work out, but it is fantastic for balance, core strength and it is an all over body work out.  Plus it is a blast.  When I get hot, I just jump into the water.  Of course it helps that I live in S Florida, but people are taking this new sport up all over in lakes, rivers, etc.

KarenMc…I loved your post and have wanted to try stand-up paddle boarding since I read about it in (I think) Women’s Health magazine (or was it Self?)! Since I am so crazy-busy with so many other activities, I haven’t had the chance yet, but I’m wondering if there are special boards and paddles just, specifically, for that…or do you use a regular surfboard or boogie board? Also, the paddles are really long, right?

I’m a certified personal trainer and teach fitness classes, so I work out alot and I love it, but I’m always looking for new & fun stuff to check out and to recommend to others who claim not to like exercise. I firmly believe that finding your activity passion is the key to pursuing lifelong fitness!

~Marin/FitChik