Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Exercise

Chat to other fitness enthusiasts on our Exercise forum.

Original poster

Starting on the road to fitness after 50 (or thereabouts) Support thread.

57 replies

Alooffoof · 10/03/2022 17:27

Hi. I’m hoping this thread will be useful for anyone who is finding it overwhelming or is struggling to get started on the fitness journey.

We are possibly facing similar hormonal, health and family etc obstacles. And can help and inspire each other to keep going.

I’m 50. I’m starting from a fitness level of zero. I had long Covid and now I’m breathless just going up the stairs.

My goal is to get strong, fit and flexible.

I’m looking at yoga in the first instance but I’m hoping to add some weights and cardio into my training soon.

Please join and let us know where you are at and what your goals are.

We have got this!

OP posts:
Babdoc · 11/03/2022 09:51

OP, I am a retired doctor, two years into my own long Covid, and I need to caution you about exercise. Overdo it, and you will trigger a relapse.
You need to find where your current limit is, then very cautiously and gradually extend it, factoring in rest days as you go.
I was breathless at 100 yards when discharged from hospital. It’s taken me two years to reach being able to walk one to two miles a day. I managed a four and a half mile walk including an 1100ft climb in January, but was stuck on the sofa for three days afterwards.
Pace yourself and take it very gently.

BeanAnTae · 11/03/2022 09:51

body weight exercises are an excellent idea - I'm in remedial lunges and pressups at the moment

BeanAnTae · 11/03/2022 09:50

(shuffles onto thread). Me too please. Almost at menopause - mood dipping and need to lose weight.

Am using weights but need to up cardio for heart health and watch portions and biscuits

Need endorphins because lack of oestrogen is causing me to get low.

Am a fan of slow progression - want to be a healthy bmi and build exercise in. I want to be able to move well in old(er) age.

Readytostartagain · 11/03/2022 09:44

Not good advice but in a similar situation if you want a buddy. Planning to restart yoga today and do more walking to start with. Have issues with painful joints etc so know I can’t rush in to it. Got a walking holiday booked at the end of June so need to improve my fitness seriously

Original poster
Alooffoof · 10/03/2022 18:29

Thanks @Figgyroller will take a look

@mudgetastic I was the same. Outdoors horsey type. Never ever thought I could be this unfit! I’m hoping it will stand me in good stead for quick progression but realistically I think it’s going to be a slog. But I’m ready for it. Thank you for the good advice, I will take it onboard.

OP posts:
mudgetastic · 10/03/2022 17:40

I'm your stage of life but have exercised most of my life one way or another

I'd start with Adrienne yoga - the home series takes it slow , tells you what to do

Walking more is also a great start

Caroline is quite intense / hard. Start with body weight only and notice that she sometimes stops

Figgyroller · 10/03/2022 17:34

If you need a bit of inspiration (and lots of strength programmes) there is Caroline Girvan on you tube and the 'women over 50 doing Caroline Girvan' group on Facebook. It's a great motivator.