You don't know how many times I've heard people say "you need to do more cardio" or "you're lifting too heavy for someone your age".
You know what I do? Ignore them. I do what I love to do and what works for me. My doctor is always amazed at the condition I'm in at my age. My heart is healthy, my lungs are healthy, my blood levels are great. I can go out and do a 2 hour bike ride once a week with no problem.
If you love what you're doing and are having no problems (and if it's working), why change it? I would encourage you to add 2 days of resistance training if you can, simply for bone health. But otherwise, don't worry about what people say; keep doing what works for you.
And in 20 years, if they're still around, you can say: I told you so.
Agree with Ironguy, TOTALLY...
My question is who is telling you this stuff about what you can't do? They need to be educated. We invite them to have a change of mind by joining this group and find out what active seniors are doing to keep fit!!
Nine, go to the file section and read the file "The Men Who Live Forever." Just change the "men" to "women" and imagine yourself there in the mountains of Mexico.
The only caveat I can add about running is if it hurts or if you need meds to do it then switch to biking. Some knees/legs just don't hold up to the pounding of running as well as others. The tip off to a problem is pain.
We naturally will lose some strength and athleticism as we age, BUT it's a small loss UNLESS we go "couch potato." Fitness is much more related to work ethic and effort than it is of age....
posted by Rad
3 months ago
Being one who recently injured myself doing nothing new. I'd say you'll eventually get to the point that something changes or you come close to a physical limit. So it's good to follow rules more carefully now than 10 years ago. Stay hydrated. Give your body a chance to recover between workouts. I think I did that and maybe that prevented a more serious injury. I can't jog now because I overdid the jogging since I can't do weights with a hernia, but my knee is having no trouble healing. I can do an eliptical without any problem and I hope I can still bike. :)
I started weight training because I read that when you build muscle it's a natural way to increase HGH. You can build muscles all of your life and it's the same cells as a 20 year old. People have really complimented my complexion since I began weight training. I also notice that my posture really improved and I felt like I projected myself more. If you don't do weight training try it for a few months and see what you've been missing.
Nine,
Well, I'm 70, and I've had 5 knee surgeries, so I don't run as many miles as I used to; and I don't do speed training anymore. Also, I have arthritis in my knees, due in part to the knee surgeries, but my ortho surgeon told me that as long as I can handle any pain in my knees the running and other exercise helps to keep those arthritic joints lubricated. As long as I keep up my exercise on a regular basis and eat healthy, I don't have a weight problem. I only run 2 days a week now, though, to save my knees since I do have several areas that are bone against bone. One of those runs is a long run on Saturday mornings with my marathon training group, and the other run is usually a 6 or 7 mile run on my treadmill. The other days my workouts include aerobic, toning and strength-training videos since I like lots of variety. I also have a not-very-good elliptical trainer, and a "Cardio Cruiser" which is like a recumbant bike, and I use these every once in awhile for a change of pace, along with all my free weights, balls, resistance bands, etc. I record a lot of my favorite movies and TV shows to watch when I'm using my machines and doing some of the strength training and core work. I normally work out at least five days a week and sometimes six, and I think cross-training is very important - not only to prevent wear and tear on one or several body parts, but to strengthen and work out all parts of our bodies and to boost our metabolism.
You do what feels good for you and that is all that matters. I am 55 and I weight lift. I haven't gained any weight and I lift more than women half my age! I would not give it up because I love the way I feel!
