Question for you over 40-50ish lifetime exercisers

This is just SUCH an interesting thread and I think we should all be proud of ourselves! :) I'm 47 also (can't believe how many of us there are!) and I've just noticed, really in the last year or so, that I need to take it down maybe a "hair of a notch," but really I feel stronger and fitter than I did when I was in my mid to late 20's (when I first started working out) and all through my 30's and even early 40's! My joints are a little achier than they used to be, with maybe a little more frequency, and that's why I've taken it down ever so slightly in intensity, which is hard for me to do since (like so many of us here) I'm sort of an intensity freak! But I have to admit I'm enjoying incorporating more stretching/pilates/yoga-type stuff...it just really feels good! :)
 
Briee
I really think that I could have attained the same level of developement without the double workouts. I also forgot to add that a lot of the time I would tack on some extra weight work to that type of workout. I have always been a little obsessive about doing long enough weight segments. I still often have to work on my mindset at doing only 10 minutes for a bodypart. I periodiaclly do workout as hard as I can and then take breaks where I workout with lighter endurance workouts and circuits.
I had stayed at pretty much the same weight level for about 4 years, so pretty much stayed the same. In the last year I have realized I was kind of in a rut and have worked to increase my weights and variety of workouts. I have noticed more definition. I have also found shorter intense cardio segments to be very effective. I still like to do a long cardio once in awhile. My daughter says I am addicted to those endorphins It sounds like I need to try yoga. I have always added extra stretches to my workouts which I think helps prevent injury. I am looking forwards to Stretch Max for this. I am not sure if I am answering your question.
Diane Sue
 
Briee....yes I have been called "nuts" before...:)...I always thought it was because I liked to run uphill.

That's great you have cut out meat and dairy! As for building muscle I have a little story. When I started the Zone in 1998 is when I finally saw muscle definition and growth!! I was so happy and figured it was from the protein. I didn't stay on the Zone for more than about 3 years, as it just seemed to quit working for me which is when I started gaining weight and lost the defintion..:(..I was worried going Vegan that I wouldn't get the defintion without ALOT of protein. I was so wrong as the diet and P90X leaned me out first and then the muscle definition and growth came back...to even being in better shape then when I was on the Zone!! I seriously believe alot of the weight loss is due to cutting out the saturated animal fat and of course the trans fat products.....you did quite well on P90X yourself....5-7 pull-ups???....very impressive. I can only do 3...:+ .....Carole
 
Oh yes that helps Diane. I am so encouraged to know that you have upped your weights within the last year and seen even MORE definition. Believe me girl you have definition enough!! (But I know in my own case...I always want more!!!:7 ) It's important for me to know that you can still increase weights as you get older. All the info from you amazing women is making me very HAPPY.

Thought you'd love to know...my 11 year old daughter is standing next to me reading this and I told her that you are 51 (is that right?) and a grandma of several and I added "she only looks like she's 20 doesn't she?". Bethany's response was "Oh no mom she only looks like 18 or 19 at the most...and I bet she can play tag with her grandkids!!!!" :7 :7 .

Sheeeeeesh Bethany...she can probably do pushups with her grandkids sitting on her back!!

Briee
 
Briee,
Tell your daughter thank you she has made my day. Now I am sitting here smiling:7 Actually I am 52. And yes I love playing with the grandchildren. They like to try and workout with me. My 8 year old grandaughter has worked out with me with my old bench. We do Cathe's Basic Step. My 4 year old grandson loves doing the kickboxing. My biggest goal right now is more leg development. I am glad I helped with your question.
Diane Sue
 
Hey Briee, nice thread! What a wonderful group of intelligent fit women we have here:) I'm 42 and am not modifying my workouts at all, in fact I'm still digging in to push myself and the intensity stronger and longer. As is typical with many active women in the 40's, my endurance just seems to get better and my mental focus sharper. I love intensity and the high impact drills and will keep doing it until it isn't fun anymore. I am very happy with my muscle definition and find that longer weight sessions get me better results (I really like the feeling of DOMS). I am not a lifetime exerciser, I lost a bunch of weight and started working out off and on in '93 and have been a 6-7 day a week exerciser for 7 years. Before that I was overweight and decidedly sedentary (Size 20 wedding dress:eek: ). Maybe that's why my knees don't give me grief when I do the high impact stuff, they didn't get too much wear and tear for the first 31 years :+ :)

Take Care
Laurie:)
 
I honestly don't notice any significant changes. Certainly not more soreness. I always get sore when I do something for the first time, as I assume we all do. Once my body gets used to it, the soreness is gone. I'm 48.
 
I will be 50 in February and I just started noticing I need more recovery time from upper body workouts. I injured my rotator cuff somehow a couple of weeks ago and have to really baby my shoulders.

For some reason I am preferring step workouts to hi-low ones like I used to. I only use one riser now, though.

I can work out my legs with weights as much as I used to but I know there will come a time where I will need to modify those as well.

Oh, and my feet tend to get sore where they didn't used to before.

None of these problems would make me even consider stopping my workouts because I know I am benefiting more than hurting myself when I exercise.
 
I am 43, and if anything I find I need less recovery time after a workout, I shoot for "killer" workouts (or what some here would deem "killer" workouts), and I continue to make strength, cardiovascular and flexibility fitness gains over time. And I'm far more energetic throughout the day as well, to the point where DH comments on his Dolly's Shpilkes.

One of the things, I think, that lends to my own personal success in that regard is a good mix of land training and aquatic training. The training stimulus is so vastly different in water vs. land (kind of like a Looking Glass World sometimes), and as I've continued to instruct I've also continued to learn how to maximize intensity in the water. Plus, aquatic work is such a joint saver AND so good for promoting joint range of motion that I can't imagine workout-life without it.

All of that to say - at the ripe old age of 43 I still know my strongest days are still ahead of me. Maybe when I'm in my 60's or 70's I'll crest, but not until then, not while I know that there are heavier weights out there.

A-Jock.
 
Laurie - I can relate to the knees. I was also pretty low key until I hit 30. I am 40 now and more active than I ever was. One of my best outdoor pals is only 33 and had terrible knee problems and rotator cuff surgery on both arms. He was crazy active and athletic from the time he could walk. I always look at him and say "It's not the age, baby, it's the mileage - and I am low mileage!"

It's fun to work out harder at this age - I am more focused and I have realized that it is a marathon, not a sprint.

Melissa
 
Alas AJ....there will always be a heavier weight.}( }( }( (darn it!!!)

I wish we had a water instructor out here like you, but I think that's kind of like wishing for two Santa Claus's. I DID get a water workout Sunday night, took 3 of our kids to a huge indoor pool in a nearby town. I was getting a little cold after 2 hours in the water so I got all the kids together in the entire pool and we played FREEZE TAG in the water for an hour and I was IT the whole time. It was a BLAST, but boy did my EVERYTHING get an entire workout. I was thinking "all this and sweat free to boot"...no wonder AJ likes to play in the water.....it's deceptively fun.

Thanks Ajock...you're always an encouragement. I'd like to join you in cresting at 70.....maybe 78....no maybe 82.......

Briee
 
Interesting question and one I've internally been dealing with for a number of years. I am now 50 and have been quite active since my early 20's. I began running at that time and have continued that activity (to the point of obsession according to family and friends!).
I currently run between 6 and 7 miles every day. On the rare day I can't run due to weather, etc. I have an elliptical trainer I do. But I do SOMETHING every single day. About 15 years ago I got into weight training and currently work out 5-6 days a week. So, on a normal day I usually work out about a total of 2 hours. My body is used to this and hasn't rebelled yet! In fact, last year I ran my first 1/2 marathon and felt great. Granted, I may not be as fast as when I was 25, but I'm still out there. I think all the exercise keeps me loosened up and much more mentally alert. Luckily I've experienced very few injuries over the years and I try to adjust my workouts on those days I may not feel 100%. I can't imagine NOT doing these things I love and plan to continue for many years to come. After all, this is such a wonderful gift I can give to myself, health, energy and stamina. Age is only a number to me, I still think I'm 30!!! So don't let yourself get into the trap of thinking you HAVE to give up these activities simply by the virtue of aging, you don't necessarily have to.

Karen
 
IMHO, we are all so different in what our bodies can tolerate. I cannot imagine working out two hours a day, 6 days a week. But, I work out at least 45 minutes 4 days per week and about 1 hour 3 days per week. This fits into my schedule nicely, enabling a balance between exercise, work and family life.

Being realistic, It's good to have a back up plan, just in case of injury.
 
Hi..I'm Donna and just turned 58 in October. Yesterday, I did BB&A, today I'll do BB&T. Tomorrow, I've scheduled Gin's Intense Moves. I'll rest on Thursday and do Strong Legs and Abs on Friday. Saturday, I'll give myself a present and do Rodney Yee's Breath and Meditation. I belong to the 100 club at VF and have been working out most of my adult life from about the age of 38. I am 4'11" so I never use or need risers to work up a good sweat. I don't have any physical problems other than tennis elbow and I brace that area when I lift.

There's my .02.

Rock on senior citizens,

Donna
 
Oh, my gosh...I'm the oldest one here? I'm honored to be among all you youngsters (that would be anyone under 50). :7

For what it's worth, I certainly don't feel 58 or 48 for that matter. I guess this fitness stuff works, huh?

I'm glad to be a part of this site.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top