Help me help my mom

[gonnabthin06]

My mom is 51 and from talking with her, I know she wants to get into better shape. In middle school, highschool, and college she was a very good athletic figure skater and never had any trouble with weight. After 3 kids she tried Weight Watchers a couple times, but never any real exercise endeavors. She is a lawyer, a part time teacher at a university, and a great mom. Like I'm sure a lot of moms face, it seems that lethargy and fatigue breeds more lethargy and fatigue, making it very hard to begin. This is her time, finally. I get the idea from a lot of people and fifty year old women that they just don't think they can get a fit body at their age. For some reason they think they should just give up. I think my mom still looks great, and fifty isn't what it used to be. So my first question is: I'm not wrong in thinking that a fifty year old can still get a fit and muscular body, right? Secondly, what would you recommend for someone who used to be really athletic, but since life has happened and so have 35lbs.? Thank you so much. I just want to give back to her. She feels like she doesn't deserve to spend that time on her body, but I know she deserves it.

 

[andtckrtoo]

I know many 50 year olds who went from being out of shape to fit and fab. So, yes, she can do it. My sister just got the Step package from Target with Cathe's videos in it and I'm really impressed with what you get for the price! I think that would be an excellent place to start - cardio, weights and abs - 3 videos with 2 and 3 workouts each on them, a stability ball, weights and a small step for about $60.00. They are shorter too.

 

[elaineee7]

I think you are doing a great thing encouraging your mom to get fit. I'm 54 and working out 5 to 6 days a week. I would really be upset to think that just because I'm 54 all this work is for nothing. I must admit, however, that it is much more difficult to get in shape than when I was younger. Tell your mom to stay positive. She always has the women on this website for encouragement. Personally, I feel that we can all use encouragement. Take care, and remember...you should be working out too!

 

[candi]

First of all, I am trying very hard not to take offense since you are doing this for your mother. Being 50 is not being over the hill. I am 51 and I consider myself a youngster. Having said that, it's the exercise and the eating right that contribute to my positive view of myself.

Secondly, you probably already realize that you can field this question, but it's your mother who has to make the committment, at least for a few minutes each day, to get started.

Thirdly, you could ask your mother what a few minutes of exercise a day would hurt....IMHO, it could only help? Are you sure she's not just using her age as an excuse? Fifty is a lot younger than it used to be.

It is more difficult to get and stay in shape at 50 but this is the time of your mother's life she probably has more time to focus on herself and her health. She needs to make this a priority and get going! But, she can only make the decision to go for it.

 

[gonnabthin06]

I truly did not mean to offend anyone. My point, in fact, was that fifty is NOT old: not even close. I was more wondering about the problems after menopause and things like bone density. I totally agree that fifty can be just as fit as any other age. So I am sorry for offending you Candi. P.S. I think you may have hit the nail on the head when you said that maybe she's using her age as an excuse. I think possibly there are a lot of women doing that.

 

[carolynjane]

Hi Gonnabethin06,

I don't know why anyone would take offense to your inquiry. I think it was very well expressed and it's clear that you love your mother and have her best interests at heart. I know she is proud to have you as her daughter!

In thinking about how you might be able to help her, would it be possible for you to work out together at least once or twice a week? If you're an advanced exerciser, that might mean scaling back a bit - like starting with a beginner step or weights DVD or walking - and then helping your mom work up to more advanced exercising. If she hasn't worked out in a while, all of the choices - clubs, DVDs, etc. - are great, but it can also be confusing. It would be great if you could help her put together a simple workout that she would enjoy and that would get results. Plus, it would give you a set time to get together and enjoy each other's company.

Also, I would encourage you to encourage her to go back to Weight Watchers. I did the "at home" program three years ago (didn't have time for meetings) and lost over 30 pounds and have kept them off. I think it's really the best program out there and if your mom is going to lose weight, diet will have to accompany exercise.

Good luck!

 

[candi]

Gonnabthin06,

Lest a war starts here, my comment about trying not to be offended was meant in jest

I think it's a sweet thing you are trying to do. My sister and I both are into fitness and we tried for awhile to get our 70 year old Mother into exercise. She did start walking at least.

 

[WRITER]

Hi there Gonnabthin06,
I'm a 49 year old professional woman who has been in really good shape for years. My age hasn't slowed me down yet -- and I believe it's not too late for your mother to get back into shape. [By the way, my daughter is 22, and we share a love of fitness.]
If your mother has already expressed a desire to get in shape, I would say: get her hooked on home workouts! I used to run, but odd hours made that difficult. Home workouts became my answer. Cathe's advanced workouts really clicked with me about 5 years ago, but you could start your mother on some of the beginner workouts if she is just getting started -- Basic Step and Body Fusion and then High Step Circuit. [The one thing I would say: don't start her with complex choreography, it frustrates some busy women!].
You could even point your mother to this website, there are many people in their 40's and 50's.
Even though I started my daughter on fitness, she is always after me to pay more attention to strength so my bones stay healthy. So, I understand your love and concern for your mother's health!

 

[Sunshine 1528]

Now is a great time to get started.

I have a year and a half to that "50" number. And, yes, after having been an athlete all my life with no problems dropping weight, it is quite a bummer when it takes so much more time and effort. The feeling after even doing a light workout, however, will bring back memories of the good 'ol days of being fit.

Then, just like exercise that is planned and followed through, eating more healthy, even if not on a WW plan but just more sensible, will also bring back more energy and fewer cravings.

Starting off slowly with easier workouts and shorter periods of time than many of us doing the 5 - 6 days a week will most likely bring good results until she can adjust her daily/weekly routine into incorporating that "time for herself".

Hope you can get her motivated. Good luck !

 

[Sandi S]

It's sweet that you want to help your mother. I'm 50 so I can relate to putting others first and yourself last. Motivation is the killer for me. I've been reading Oprah's & Bob Greene's Make the Connection. It's an oldie but goodie. Oprah & Bob talk about putting yourself first, making time for yourself because it helps you be a better person for yourself and your family. Make the Connection doesn't include information on weight training. Bob does cover weight training in his later books but I wish it was included in Make the Connection.

I'd start with workouts that are designed for beginners. She might like Leslie Sansone's walking workouts, Kathy Smith's Step Workout (it has a basic step workout & beginner weight workout), Cathe's beginner step workouts. Netflix would be great way to try many different workouts until your mother found the types that she likes.

Or, walking is a great start. Walking is something you could do together. Sometimes, a workout buddy is the extra push we need to get us out the door. There are so many options - best wishes!

Sandi