age and conditioning

K

kpage1230

Cathlete
Cathe,

I am 50 years old and have been physically active since my mid 20's but have always battled with my weight (come from a very unhealthy/overweight family). I am 5'3" and currently weigh about 123lbs. I do about 70minutes of cardio (either running or elliptical machine) every morning and do weight training 6 days a week for between 30-40 minutes in the afternoon. I have bumped up my weight training thanks to discovering you on FIT TV and do notice more definition (as does my darling husband) but I am concerned that at my age, I may be limited in my results and potential. What is your opinion of further improvements at this stage of my life?

You are such a tremendous role model to all of us and indeed, an inspiration as well. thanks for all you do.

Karen
 
I'm not Cathe, of course, but I wanted to commend you on your workout schedule. I'll be 50 this year, am 5'0" and 122 lbs. What I've found is that I see better results with less cardio and more focus on weight work. I believe too much cardio can have a negative affect on muscle gains especially as we get older.

Of course, it all depends on what your goals are.

There is an article in the latest issue of Oxygen magazine of a woman who is in her 70's and is still a bodybuilding competitor. They include a picture of her and she looks absolutely fantastic. Very encouraging.

Good luck :7
 
Candi - I agree. I'm 44 and find that when I concentrate on weights and not so much on cardio I see better results. BTW, I saw that picture in Oxygen and was so inspired!
 
I'm 47 and I agree. Less cardio, shorter cardio. Intense cardio. But if I do 3 cardios a week and every muscle twice, that's what gives me the best results. And a tightly controlled diet too, of course.
 
They also had examples of a few of the fitness competitors and how they eat clean on and off season. Seemed to be a little more detail than they usually give.

I love the Oxygen recipes.
 
Awesome! I'm on it! Can't wait to get a copy. I've never read Oxygen, but I've read lots of praise on this forum.

Thanks everyone!

Marla G.
 
I just came back from the store and they already have the March 2005 issue of Oxygen -- Feb. 05 is gone already. DARN!

I did pick up the March issue and also the collector's issue for spring. I'm looking forward to them both.

I'd really love to see the article of the 70-year-old woman. Maybe I can ask Oxygen for a copy of the Feb. issue.

Marla G.
 
i am 42 years old and do IMAX2 and Maximum Intensity cardio and i feel like i am in the best shape of my life, i also weight train. i feel that with all the information on health and nutrition that is available to us, the sky's the limit on improvements at any age. i say set your goals, acheive them, then set new ones. Ain't no stoppin' us now!!
 
From one 42-year-old to another, I applaud you, green woman!

Amen on the goals. A met a goal recently by increasing my endurance level enough to complete Imax 2 completely. What a great feeling that was!

Now I look forward to the new Hardcore series (and Slow & Heavy, which I just ordered).

My best to all of you and may we all encourage one another to meet (and then set new) goals!

Marla G.
 
Well, for me, this is great news about ageing! I hate cardio, so I'm glad to hear so many have gotten better results with less cardio/more weights (I'm 49).

I saw the Oxygen piece on the 70-year old woman - I too was very inspired. She looks better at 70 than I did at 45!
 
It is very motivational to see women that are older staying fit. Was this woman in Oxygen actually in her seventies in the picture? I saw this but was not sure, as the pictures were fuzzy. I understand that she is in her 70's. I have no doubt that you can achieve great muscle definition and athletic strides when you are older. I just was not sure about the pictures and have not as yet read the article, since I just bought this issue. Look at Jack Lalanne. The article in reference is in the March issue of Oxygen magazine. I know that Page 74 is the 70 year old and yes it is interesting. I love seeing people that are older because it just proves to me that I can do it. And I aim to disprove anything anyone says different.
Diane Sue:D
 
The correct ratio of cardio and resistance training is very individual. I'm a person (mid-50's) who needs a lot of cardio. I gain weight if I cut back and do more weights, so I keep the weights to 4 days a week, split between upper and lower body, heavy and lighter days. I found that adding lower intensity cardio, or just moving around more racking up steps on my pedometer helps. That means, more steps, more mall walking, etc. Anything to make the numbers go up. During the week (when I can walk the halls at work) I try to get 15,000 steps per day. On weekends I'll be satisfied with 10,000 per day. So even on my "rest" days, I get in mall walk.
 
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