To think I'm not 'too old' to try to get fitter?

[Wilburissomepig]

I'm 51. Lost a bit of weight recently, but I feel that I'm pretty unfit and would like to do something about it. A friend has suggested a 'boot camp for beginners' and I'd like to give it a go to at least see how I get on. Type 2 diabetes runs in my family, my DC's are still pretty young and I want to look after my health better to be around as long as I can for them, and for me. (Eating better, sleeping better etc).

MIL has just informed me that I'm too old for 'all that nonsense' and that if I was that bothered I should have done it years ago like she did. MIL is very fit and healthy (always has been) and couldn't be any less encouraging if she tried. I feel half deflated and half determined to prove her wrong. Am I too old? I'm not talking about running marathons here, I just want to gradually improve my health as much as I can and this is just part of that.

She’s talking bollocks. Rather like my MIL.

Go for it, you’ll feel much better.

Also, don’t tell her about your activities or progress and if she asks just say it’s going great, thanks, with a big

My mum is in her 50s and has recently started running. She was told by a friend that she was too old to start running and that her body wouldnt be able to cope with it.

She got some medical advise as she was worried, but was told there is no reason why she shouldn't and that she just needed to listen to her body, just like anyone exercising at any age.

My friend started running on her 50th birthday. 10yrs later and she's running marathons. I think it probably suits your mil to have you as the 'unfit' one, so she can feel superior. If you get fit, she can't do that and there's a chance you will become fitter than her! 😄

Take no notice of your mil, she doesnt want any competition from you. You go girl!!!

Yes you can do it!

What a load of nonsense! You can get fitter/maintain fitness at any age as long as you take qualified advice if needed eg if you have any health problems like hypertension, diabetes, arthritis etc. I'm in my 40s and 4 months pregnant and trying to maintain reasonable fitness (following qualified advice). I'm still running (2x very slow 5-10km runs each week); bet your MIL would tell me to stop .

My Mum got fit again (as in able to swim 30 lengths of local pool and go on 3 hour hikes) after 2nd hip replacement in her late 60s and she's got osteoarthritis. Ignore MIL and find a programme/class/exercise group etc that you enjoy!

Same age as you OP and been exercising for just over a year as just about have time now. Joints much better ( recommend taking vitamin d too)... and it’s essential for bone density. Reckon your MiL just sees being fit as her territory . Doesn’t she want you to be healthy enough to looked after her DS?

Your mother in law is talking nonsense. I took up running at 48 to help me lose weight (my bmi was 29). Still running 3x per week 5 years later and I feel fitter than I have ever been. I now have a bmi of 24 but realised a couple of years ago that I was losing weight because I wanted to improve my running rather running to lose weight.

Please ignore your MIL. Find an activity that you love and go for it.

ok, in fairness to him, it was 12 years ago.

Be careful with boot camp, I took it up in late 30's and loved it until 6 months in I permenantly damaged my knees. Consultant said it was directly due to taking up quite punishing exercise at my age. Problem with boot camps is that the exercise can be very hard core and as its a group the instructor can't always see exactly what everyone is doing to give corrections/adjustments. If you can afford a personal trainer that might carry less risk of injury.

Go for it. I'm in my late fifties and have had rheumatoid arthritis for a very long time. Eighteen months ago my DB gave me a Fitbit. I'll never be able to run a marathon, but I'm dong 12,000 steps a day, Pilates once a week, and I dropped two dress sizes and feel really good about myself. I can't tell you what a joy it is to be able to buy lovely clothes again and have them look OK.

Oops... doing..

She's talking total arse. I'm 54. I have always swum but I took up running at 50. Now starting strength training stuff. I'm in good shape and I am age-proofing my body in the best possible way.

Ha! You now have the perfect motivation: you want to do it for yourself and also now you can
Price MIL wrong too.......go for it!!!!!

Prove MIL wrong even 😳

What utter rubbish! I'm in my 60s and started with a Personal Trainer earlier this year. Best thing I did.

PS. I don't run - I box.

My DGM joined a gym in her late 70s and although she hated every minute, it was clearly extremely good for her.
She died aged 98, having worked past 95 (an academic), and having lived independently until a couple of months before her death.
It was obvious to everyone in our family that this was very largely thanks to having become belatedly fit.
We even invited her personal trainer to speak at her memorial.
It's never too late!

Did you read yesterday about the 100 year old woman who started running at 100.... set a 100m recod of some 39 seconds thus year... being fit is good for you at any age but at 50 you need to ease into it more than at 20.... build it up and listen to your body...

Prove her wrong and beat her at her own game!

Definitely not to old , I'm 55. I'm doing the couch 2 5k and in the middle of week 7 runs. I can't believe I can now go for 25 mins without stopping. feeling a lot better as well.

Well, I'm older than you and am infinitely fitter than I was 3 months ago. Couldn't face a boot camp, mind you, but I'm cycling 5 miles most days and doing a couple of daily power walks and a Zumba class each week. Feel loads better already.

My DH started running when he was 48/49 and 5 years later runs marathons and ultras up mountains etc. - MIL always tells him 'you're too old for all that', never says 'well done' when he's completed a gruelling race, and it seems she would rather him be overweight, inactive and drink a lot just like his brother. She says he'll have a heart attack from running.......

I'm 47 and started running 2 years ago, and we both now have a personal trainer every week and for the first time in my life I've joined a gym! You're never too old, good for you for trying to be healthy - ignore her completely like I do mine .

Unless you're in a coma (and I presume not, given you're posting on here!), you can get fitter - there's a chair based exercise class at my church. You certainly wouldn't need it, but I'm just making the point that you don't even need to be able to stand up to do exercise. Go for it (possibly without telling your MiL).