How do women over 60 get in shape?

[Shelley]

Hi all!  I am starting this thread to help all the ladies from our old forum get started up again over here in the new place.  Hope you all find this thread.  Getting in shape after 60 has its own challenges especially when you have lost muscle, have slowed metabolism and hormone changes.  How are you getting and staying fit?  What s working for you?  

[tasia]

Thanks for the smile. I am mostly slug! I am using a rebounder (mini trampoline) and hand weights. I have them in the room with the tv and try to get on it several times a day as well as lifting the weights during commercials. 🙂
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[anamaria]

If you belong to AARP you can sign up for Silver Sneakers.

They give you a list of Gym's you can go to...and its free!

I go to Worlds Gym in Palm Desert, Ca and they have wonderful free classes and the equipment is outstanding. If you don't belong to AARP...sign up for one year. Its worth every penny. 

Good luck!

[billbettie]

I am 70 soon will be 71I am doing zumba classes and Pilates. I also lift weights three times a week. It is

not easy when you are older. The Fit Bit is helping but when I am not excerising it keeps telling me I am over my calories. This to me is very flustrating!!

[MAKAP]

How does it tell you...you are over your calories?

MK


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[cpamama]

I am very happy to report that last week I had a total of 35,000 steps with 5 days at or near my goal of 6,000 steps which included 25-30 minutes of "very active" walking.  The fitbit is a motivator!

Now, I'm going to try for at least 3 days of 7,000 steps and perhaps 40-45 minutes of "very active" walking. I have determined that our insurance does not pay for silver sneakers, but I am considering joining the Y anyway for other kinds of exercise and "bad weather" days.

I have not really lost any weight.  I will lose 2 pounds, gain 2 pounds, lose, gain.  Which is sort of disappointing because I don't think I am eating any more.  I am only about 20 pounds overweight, but that is a lot when you are short!

Keep it up ladies!  You are all inspirational!

Hopefully, by January when I turn 68 and begin sitting at the computer a lot more doing taxes, I will be about 10 pounds lighter and in much better shape than last year.   I don't yet know what I will do about exercise.  I generally work at least some 7 days a week and get very tired mentally. 

[angelhart99]

Hi, So glad to find you all.  I am 61 and knew if I didn't make some changes quick I was on the road to bad joints and knee problems.  My nieces are using fitbit flex and suggested I try one.  My sisters gave me one for my birthday and I love it.  It helps keep me honest.  I am staying hydrated better and monitoring my sleep has been interesting.  I had no idea how restless I was.

My problem is that I get glued to my computer doing photo work and don't move my bum enough.  Now I get myself up and moving more.  My biggest trick is to chose fun things to do.  I now swim in our local river which I love.  I go when I know others will be there so I am safe.  I love yoga and put that back into my schedule.  I would like to try other things but so far besides walking in our development with my music on I haven't discovered anything else yet to do.  I logged in at 194 and today I weighed in at 188.  My goal weight is 145.  It will take time but that is OK.  Hoping to connect with others looking for fun and interesting ways to get moving.

[billbettie]

I will be 71 the 14 of this month i have found Zumba Palates and body
sculpt is fun at the gym I go to. I have started paying
for a trainer to help me in lifting weights. I started out at 143 and now I
am down to 136. I started a month ago it is slow My husband still works so
our big meal is at night!! Not good to do that it is harder when you get
older that is for sure!!

[Alene]

Hi, my name is Alene. I am 57 and over the last 3 years have put 30lbs on. I have tried exercizing and then stop, etc. I don't work so not too active. This last Monday I started jogging 3.6 miles, our driveway is gravel and dirt and thats how long it is round trip. I hope to keep this up and realize that I just want to stay healthy and not focus on the weight issue. Can you tell me how to join this group?

[cdpatches]

It is funny how much of a motivator it is - when I started out (Jan 2014) i could barely reach 10,000 steps and it was an effort and I thought I was in pretty good condition (went to gym 3 to 4 times a week) but over the summer my goal is still 10,000 steps but I try and get 15,000 for a minimum - walk the dog in the yard try and get 2000 steps (she must stay out until I do) - just little things and I give all the credit to the FITBIT because basically I need the reinforcement of the FITBIT - without it I am lost

[ks16094abc]

You show up. You start by doing something - walk, run, bike, swim - do
something -- then add to it. Every day do something. AND you make it one
of the top 3 things you do every day. It has to be in the top few spots or
you'll find a reason NOT to do it some days. Make it vital to your future
& you'll do it. Never look back. Just keep moving forward.


I'm 64 and work out every day.

[BbalanceD]

Hi everyone

I have started reading and researching about local activities and things that interest me to make sure I have places of interest to go to. For instance the Leura Gardens Festival has had me out walking for 3 days of this week. Being in the Blue Mountains they have plenty of hills to add to my fitness and the pleasure of walking through such beautiful gardens meant that even the 2 days of hot weather didn't put me off.

[JoyceM]

What group are you wanting to join?

[Alene]

Joyce, I found an over 50 group so i think i will join them, I find the joining and commenting and replying somewhat confusing. Thank you for asking, if it doesnt get any clearer I'll just go back to what I was doing before.
Thanks 🙂

[Jrock]

Wow a lot to do! Must be committed!

[pepcats1941]

Hi I'm new and trying to learn how to use my fitbit. Can you tell me if it starts new everyday or every week? pepcats

[Jrock]

Mine starts over every day and a summary at the end of the week.  

I just discovered I was spinning my wheels on the elipitical.  The same amount of time on the treadmill offered more steps by double!  

[Bobbye]

I too would like to join the over 50 group.  Is there something I need to do or just jump in and talk and reply?

[tasia]

One day at a time😊

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[tasia]

Both actually. It gives you a weekly overview but starts anew each day. If using the sleep feature just remember to tap it until it vibrates again in the morning or it continues to monitor you in sleep mode. Good luck!😊
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[Beader]

Hi Shelly, I'm 74 and am a bit of a keep fit fanatic.  I don't have a weight problem but am rather fussy about eating healthily.  I like to prepare my own food from scratch whenever possible using fresh fruit and vegetables so I know exactly what I'm eating.  I have a gym membership do the classes.  4 classes per week, one pilates, one mature movers and two zumba classes.  I also walk my dog daily.

The reason I do this (apart from the fact it makes me feel good) is because I cannot afford to become a couch cabbage.  I need to stay fit and flexible otherwise my quality of life would quickly go downhill.  This year I've had some health issues and had to stop doing my classes for quite a while, so I bought myself the Fitbit Flex so that I could monitor my progress.  So far, so good and just this week I have started back with one class of zumba, thoroughly enjoyed it, made me feel human again.