If you’ve never been fit, can you change it at 50?

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I am a slightly overweight, shortish middle aged woman. Never liked games at school, have had the odd spell of running, cycling and going to a gym but nothing ever consistently kept up. I have certainly never been what I’d call fit!

Tonight I went out for a gentle bike ride with a similarly aged friend and I was huffing and puffing while she was barely taking a breath .

It really made me think, is it too late to change? Can I get stronger? Would I really be able to make a difference at my age as to how I feel and look?

Inspiration needed please!! I’m a single parent to youngish DC so time (and ability to leave the house) are limited...!

yes I think you can definitely change it - in particular i would have thought if they were overweight and at the same time as exercising went on a calorie controlled diet. Both done in conjunction would definitely lead to increased fitness.

Of course it’s not. I’m the same age. Just build up gradually, accept that you will puff etc initially and praise yourself for keeping going. I started walking again this year - I signed up for a big charity hike that I knew I had to train for as an incentive. I made myself do a hill each time. Initially I was puffing all the way, having to stop several times. Then I noticed I was having to stop less, although still puffing, and finally not having to stop, but still puffing. I’ve noticed a lot of strength in my legs, I’ve dropped a dress size and a stone, and now I recover really quickly at the top of the hills, I feel like I could run now.

Go for it. Give yourself a a goal/challenge. Keep taking measurements too.

It's never too late. There's a woman in her 70s who transformed herself, she's an inspiration, on Instagram as TrainwithJoan. I'm mid forties and reading about her spurred me on. I've lost 20lbs and I'm building lean muscle via a gym programme. I feel like I'm me again after several stressful years. The gym sessions are tough, but they're just 45 mins. Currently via zoom.

Couch to 5k app!

Yes you can! Am nearly 50 and decided on couch 2 5k. Doing it really slowly (repeating each week until I progress to the next one). Am determined to stay healthy and hale for my dd. Also started Yoga Burn and skipping. You can do it. Just ease yourself into whatever you decide. Good luck.

yes yes yes!!!
I do masters swimming- training and competitions....aged 52.
I did swim as a child but went back to it after a 35 year gap in which I did no sport or exercise whatsoever. Lots of drinking and smoking. Two children. Years of sloth and overeating.... Find something you actually enjoy and start gradually. I'm the fittest, strongest and healthiest I've been since I was a teenager.

I started exercising last August and now at 57 I am fitter and stronger than I’ve been in 30 years. For full disclosure I have a PT which I know is not an option open to everyone, but I workout at home, not in a gym, and there are many free fitness videos of all kinds on YouTube.

If you really struggle to get regular exercise, why not get an exercise bike? I got one off eBay cheap and it's done wonders for my stamina. I started off doing 5 minutes as fast as I couldn't then eventually workednup to half an hour every other day.
Then I tore a ligament and was out of action for 6 months!
I'm now 8 weeks post op and have been on my (outdoors) bike a few times, my stamina has really improved over the last month by riding 3x a week.
The trick is not to try to do too much because that'll just put you off. Another option is to do the couch to 5k app. It's fab for us overweight, unfit people.

When you can get to classes again, Pilates is a great way to gently wake up your muscles again and strengthen your core. But you can do the NHS couch to 5k app now, and there's a really supportive forum too. You'll be in good company!

I don't know for sure, I changed my physical health (for the better) at 40. And until then I hadn't been even remotely fit since I was 20.
So I'm gonna go with a "yes" - you might not qualify for the Olympics, but I bet you could feel a heap healthier.

Yes, definitely. Started C25K at 58, still run two and a half years later. Good luck.

We can all, always get fitter than we are (unless you are an Olympic Athelete at the top of their game) and that's what to aim for..... achievable steps for you.

I don't know what your situation has been / will be during this pandemic, but I've taken advantage of working from home / no travel time / no meetings to go to in the evening to go out for a walk, probably 5 times a week. I walk for about an hour, and can feel it is so much easier now, and I can include more 'hill' or go further without it being hard work, than when I started.
On days I don't walk, I try and do a 'PE with Joe Wicks'. I don't have young dc but I've found it really good. Fun, achievable exercises for 30 seconds, then 30seconds rest. I've only done 10 so far, but generally find I can keep up, and perhaps struggle with just one of the exercises each session. But you are at home, and if you do 20 seconds rather than 30, that's fine. Or if you can't do one, that's fine too- you've still done more than if you were sat on your backside doing nothing.

Christ, I hope so OP

Watching with interest as I’m in a very similar boat to you OP. a bit younger but obese rather than just overweight.

Fingers crossed there is hope for us!

yes, you can be fitter and become stronger at any age. As you mention being time-poor, then you have to be creative in your use of time. There's loads of 'fit in 5 minutes' types of sessions on youtube and sky TV, for instance. You could carve out, say, five mins before your morning routine, five minutes after the kids go to bed, a ten-minute dumbbell set before you get your bedtime shower, add a quick ten minute fast walk at lunchtime, maybe do a 30 minute cardio/zumba style dance routine instead of watching Emmerdale (if you watch TV), or, keep watching Eastenders, but pedal on an exercise bike while you watch. Get the kids involved, do Joe Wicks' 10 minute PT sessions after school, before teatime. Whatever works for you and yours. Make yourself a plan, carve out just three ten minute sessions a day, and before you know it...