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.

A PT I know posted a photo of a man who is 85. He fell on the floor and couldn't get up at home. It scared him so he booked in with this PT. Video uploaded of him a few months later showing how he can get up off the floor by himself or by using a small chair and how he sits and stands with no problem

I used a PT post spinal surgery as rehab. It's not all about running marathons etc!

Of course you can start to exercise - 51 isn't old is it? (Note I'm a 1966 too....) The only reason I can think of for your MIL's stupid remarks is that she doesn't want you to get fit as you might end up fitter than she is....

The only advice I'd give would be to see your GP first given you have diabetes - it might be that there is a free exercise on referral class you could attend as you get started which is likely to be run by a trainer with a lot of experience and expertise with fitness newbies.

If you are thinking of running you might want to look at Jeff Galloway's run walk website - his method has kept me injury free for 2 years now.

I’m your age and have got fit this year. I won’t lie, the first few months were challenging and I hate excercise. But I haven’t even had a cold in 6 months which is a first for me. What’s more, I’ve found that if I do just half an hour 3 times a week i can eat what I like and don’t gain weight.

You are DEFINITELY NOT too old!!!

omg you are definitely not too old. I am 52 and run half marathons, do lots of classes at the gym. Feel great, do get the odd twinge so maybe don't go completely nuts to start with! Good luck

Definitely not too old. Activity is extremely important as we get older.

I’d second the suggestion upthread to go with a personal trainer instead of the boot camp.

It very likely that years of inactivity will mean you can’t do some movements properly and that may lead to injury. A good trainer will show you how to do the movements properly and how to strengthen yourself in the right way. A boot camp won’t give you that.

She sounds worried that you might be bloody brilliantly at it! Go for it! You'll be, and feel fabulous!

I don't think you're too old, OP. A woman in (I'd guess) her mid-60s runs past my house twice a day, three or four times a week. And that's no mean feat considering I live on a humongous hill. She's been doing it for about six months now, and at first I genuinely feared for her well-being because she looked to be really struggling, but now she strides along at some speed. I don't think I could walk to the top of that hill, let alone run up it.

I’ve just thought of something I want to add:

If you’re starting out exercising (or if you’ve been doing it for a while!), you should really think about what your goals are.

If it’s that you want to find an activity that you can do regularly to get you fitter and stronger and help you maintain health as you get older, then go out and try a few different things. It might be that you enjoy a boot camp, or that you’re better off with yoga and a walking group. Either way, if you’re meeting your goal, it doesn’t matter what you choose, or what other people think, because you’ll be enjoying it and achieving what you want.

And to re-iterate my earlier point, if you’ve not done much activity for a while and you’re the other side of 20, it’s likely that your body is carrying some alignment issues, like tight calf muscles, bad posture, weak core. It’s a good idea to get some help from a personal trainer to prevent you from injuring yourself. That way you can keep enjoying whatever you choose to do.

Your MIL enjoys feeling good about herself in contrast to you.

Prove her wrong!

I know someone who took up running this spring. I'm talking couch potato. She started running less than a minute at a time, then walking till she felt ready to run another minute. Now she runs 5+ miles a day and walks her dogs another 3 miles a day.

Meant to say, she's 55/56.

Never too old to exercise!
Bootcamp is a great way to gradually improve fitness, as is the 'couch to 5k' programme.

Last month I cheered on my mum who ran her first 1/2 marathon at the age of 65!

Go for it!

No, you are not BU. It is always better to do some exercise and be fit, whatever age you are. All the health advice is to remain active!!!! I'm closer to 50 than 40 and I go to the gym - it is not nonsense at all. I feel so much better for it.

NEVER too old. I was six stones overweight through much of my 40s. I got myself a Weight Watchers subscription, a personal trainer and started hitting the gym at 6am every morning. I'm now rapidly heading towards 51. I press and lift more than many girls half my age and I'm a size 8 ....which is all very nice . But do you know what's the best thing? I feel f**king AMAZING

If you want to do it, PLEASE don't let anyone stop you. They'll try, I know but please go for it. I very much doubt you'll regret it.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Definitely not too old. Well done on losing weight. The health benefits of regular exercise are not in anyway age related.

I'm 47 and I go to the gymn. I am not superfit at all, and was crap at sport at school, but I like feeling healthy and it is helping me maintain a bit of weight loss.
Most women in my gymn are at least in their 40s and there are plenty who are in their 50s and 60s who put me to shame.

If you have been fit in the past, then it will come back to you. It is an investment in yourself and to be able to keep up with yoru kids. (I have my first at 40, so need to keep fit to keep up!)

I am 50.
I did couch to 5K 2 years ago. Then injured my knee and have been finding new ways to get fit since. I was total couch potato before I started running.

Now I have a dog and do 1 hour brisk wlking every day. Not much to see on the weight loss front, but I know I am a lot fitter.

My SIL is about 5 years older than me and runs marathons.

Go for it!

Mother in law doesn’t want you to get fit. Ignore her.
I started spinning a few months ago and I love it.
Also try some body pump

This is a brilliant thread op. Thank you. I’m 41, used to be fit and am much less so recently. Am determined to get fitter-this thread has inspired me!

Your mother in law 8s nuts.

My mum took a redundancy package age 52. She was a size 28 and could hardly get up 1 flight of stairs. She took that time as her chance to get herself fit and healthy. She joined a gym and completely overhauled her diet and lifestyle.
She's now size 18 goes to gym 3 times a week and loves it. Is fitter healthier and happier than ever before.

Go for OP you can do it and you are certainly not too old.

I am inspired by this thread also. I used to be very fit in my 30s (and a size 8!) and now I’m sliding towards a size 14 and can’t even do half of what I used to. It’s time to get running again!

'Bootcamp' type sessions (even for beginners) are normally quite full-on. I would start with gentler exercise if you're not used to it, and work up. Injury is more likely in middle-age and it could put you off doing anything.
I would suggest swimming, yoga, pilates, walking, and weight-training (with an instructor at first) are things that you will be able to ease into and continue into old age.

Never too old to take up exercise. Huge congratulations to people on this thread who have done so and enjoyed it. Well done !