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Original poster

Getting strong, fit and flexible at 50. Possible?

106 replies

Alooffoof · 10/03/2022 04:23

I was always a fit active person but over the past few years I’ve had a combination of health and family issues that have really taken their toll and I have realised that I don’t even have a basic level of fitness anymore 😦

So I’m starting from scratch at 50. I don’t need to lose any weight but I’m desperate to improve my strength, stamina and flexibility.

Does anyone have experience or tips for this? Anything that gives me reasonable results fairly quickly would be a good start. I’m in it for the long haul but I’m motivated by improvements for sure.

I’m also vegetarian with a pretty poor diet. I’m going to work on that too and would appreciate any ideas on where I can get advice on the correct foods to give my body the best chance at getting the most from training.

Anyone else doing similar, requiring support?

OP posts:
Pekkala · 10/03/2022 06:20

Weights!
At 50 I am the strongest and leanest I have ever been with a combination of starting running in lockdown & then weight training at home with Caroline Girvan vids on youtube.

GoodnessTruthBeauty · 10/03/2022 06:18

Fit Mother Project: Weight Training for Women over 50 www.fitmotherproject.com/weight-training-for-women-over-50/

GoodnessTruthBeauty · 10/03/2022 06:15

Weight training is absolutely amazing for giving you strength, stamina, help you lose inches and improve your posture and general health. If you get a trainer or go to a gym and have them give you a routine to follow and you go 2 or 3 times a week you will be amazed at the results in 6 months. Its also essential that as we get older we maintain our strength and bone mass as women.. Walking and pilates are low impact but can also help you get the fitness, strength and flexibility you are hoping for.

Photosymphysis · 10/03/2022 06:08

Look up Joan MacDonald (@Trainwithjoan) on Instagram- she started at the gym at age 70, she tracks her food intake (she had a lot of weight to lose, but also to make sure she was getting enough protein) and she is doing incredibly now.

Getting enough protein whilst vegetarian might be your biggest challenge. Try tracking your 'macros' and see if you can incorporate a protein supplement.

Charliesgotachocolatefactory · 10/03/2022 05:53

Of course you can. Start walking every day, even just for half an hour. After a week or two start finding hillier routes. Try Yoga with Adrienne on YouTube for flexibility.

I think @MintJulia makes a great point about finding something you can do on your own whenever you feel like it. There are now loads of different options available on YouTube and you just have to find what you like.

Personally, I do a lot of cycling, swimming, walking and some yoga or pilates. The thing that gave me the fastest results in overall fitness is HIIT (High impact interval training) - I did that for a while and my fitness went up considerably.

MintJulia · 10/03/2022 05:36

It is definitely possible. I started at 49 and used a combination of walking/running, swimming and martial arts to build flexibility, aerobic capacity and general fitness.
I have a horror of classes full of women so I wanted something I could do on my own at any time (running) and an enjoyable mixed class without any competitiveness.
I'm 58 now and can run 10k on a good day, I feel better than I ever did. But don't rush, let fitness build gradually.