Staying Fit After 50
 
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Date Created:
April 2, 2008
Category:
Health »
Weight Loss
Group Type:
Public
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mawmawnancy AARP Member
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mawmawnancy
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jackieangel AARP Member
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AARP.org
Staying Fit After 50
Staying fit after 50 is so difficult, and menopause doesn;t help matters. I have just recently lost 25 pounds, and really hope to keep it off. Look forwar to having anyone in my group with ideas on how to stay fit, and eat right , regardless of this menopause thing, that we women all have to go through.
  Post to Topic     Print   Women: Frozen Dinners and Fear Of Muscle
http://www.aarp.org/community/groups/displayTopic.bt?groupId=1432&topicId=2783182
richardsullivan said:
on July 9, 2009 02:28 PM ET

Strength training is THE ONLY way a human can reverse bone loss and physical deterioration. Dr. Miriam Nelson's book Strong Women Stay Young is a real-eye-opener for most women who have spent decades fabricating excuses.

Women especially claim to fear muscle, yet display no fear of fat. We're supposed to believe women have no problem carting around 40 or 50 extra pounds of blubber, 24/7, but are horrified at the prospect of being lean, firm, vibrant and —God forbid— muscular. Obviously, this stated fear is just another justification for not getting motivated to take control of their health issues, fitness, and attractiveness.

Woman in this instance love to cite very rare exceptions for their justification, such as freaky male-like female bodybuilders, who actually are almost non-existent. People in general fixate on the exception: "I know someone who smoked and drank and lived to be a 100!". In reality, 99.99% of people who smoke and drink die a decade or more prematurely, but people cling stubbornly to the prospect that they will be the rare exception.

Taking responsibility is a very empowering and liberating thing. No longer making excuses, facing reality, and taking steps to fix our situation, whether it be health, finances or interpersonal relationships, adds years to our lives and joy to our years.

Everything we need to know abut health and diet we learned by the 5th grade. We then spend the rest of our lives spinning tales in order to cover and justify all our bad decisions and lack of initiative.

People shouldn't be wondering about frozen dinners, but instead should be purchasing fresh vegetables, fish and chicken. Pretending to have an interest in health while chowing down on frozen dinners filled with chemical ingredients, or eating fast food...what's that about?

One crybaby post on this forum is the perfect example of a human train wreck who has set up an elaborate maze of excuses and justifications, then claims to want to get fit. She has "no time", yet spends every evening in front of the TV?  The machines at Curves aren't made to accommodate short people? Who's she kidding?

People who claim they have an interest in their own well being who make fast food a part of their diet are just sabotaging themselves. If you truly want to live longer and lug around a lot less ballast, start right there: no more fast food. Ever.
5 posts by 5 users
ASTRAEA
Post #5
ASTRAEA said:
on July 22, 2009 12:08 PM ET

Maybe your "tough love" demeaner works for some people, but it's a real turnoff for many of us! Your Topic was unfortunately the first thing I saw here, after finally committing to get back to my exercise & diet regime, and decided to check out the latest discussion here.

 

Only speaking for myself, I can say that a lot of time "life happens", and although we're very busy & active (like packing & unpacking an entire house twice by myself), it may be strenuous but not the sort of thing that takes the pounds off or strengthens anything .. but just leaves you too exhausted at the end of the day to shop or cook healthily.

 

I went from having a Whole Foods & organic food co-op within a 10 minute drive, and an acupuncturist who let clients use his gym whenever there were office hours, to having a 45 mile round trip drive to any supermarket with organics. My treadmill was dismantled for 10 months until I again had room to set it up, and having gained weight I was frankly too depressed to go out walking looking like an overstuffed sausage.

 

I assume I just sound like a "crybaby" to you, so I just hope someday "life happens" to you too, and you have that "Aha!" moment & stop judging the rest of us!


deane611
Post #4
deane611 said:
on July 21, 2009 09:48 PM ET

Richard you are so right about strength training...I work out and have never worried about getting to much muscle...and the more muscle you have the more calories you burn...so all you ladies out there listen up...You wanna lose weight...lift weights!!


kaylasgrandma
Post #3
kaylasgrandma said:
on July 12, 2009 10:31 PM ET

While I agree with 75% of what your letter was about, There are a few exceptions to the rule. I will be 52 shortly and have been working out since 1991 with time off for surgeries. BUT I always came back. There ARE lots of people out there with whole bunches of excuses..but you gotta keep your eye on the prize.. your health and well being. I also have a granddaughter who is now 4 and I can run circles around her.. NOT braggin'--just the facts. Good luck in your quest.

Carol W.

Pasco, Wa.


oiesen
Post #2
oiesen said:
on July 9, 2009 08:01 PM ET

I live in a rural mountain valley/small town where my friends are fit.  Although we're in our mid to late fifties, we still play competitive sports such as softball and tennis.  We spent 2 hours last night weeding the church garden so we can provide our congregation and many in the community with home-grown veggies.  The problem is, sports is passe as is growing your own food, getting your own firewood, mowing your own grass, etc.  Oh, don't forget shoveling your own driveway.  We have increasingly become an affluent society where we pay others to do the "chores".  In these rough economic times, we could do ourselves a favor financially by going retro and saving money while we get into shape and not pay for a membership to the spa...

 

 


retiredtraveler
Post #1
retiredtraveler said:
on July 9, 2009 03:22 PM ET

I've had this discussion so many times in the past. I've given up.  My most often-used word is 'refuse'. People simply refuse to pursue healthy activities. Myself and wife have worked with so many people whowill freely admit that they won't change their lifestyle, even while bemoaning the fact they're 40 pounds overweight. They refuse.

  It's like the comments I continually make to people who complain they don't know how to motivate themselves to work out. If you really cared about your health, you would be motivated. It's that simple.