I am shocked as hell. I have properly committed to a fitness regime and I am getting fit. Who knew?

[Pagwatch]

I am 50. Always assumed that fit people were a different breed and that I could never do that. Always reasonably slim too so I never fussed much.
Then I really damaged my back and tried pilates and osteopathy to try and sort it out.
Had my 50th birthday. Hit menopause. Put on over a stone in a few months. Got really low and then thought bollocks to this.

I hired a personal trainer because I didn't know how to start.

I am now training twice a week and doing other bits and pieces. I have lost about 10lbs but I am getting fit!
I feel so much more energetic and toned and my head feels more positive.I have not been incapacitated with my back problems since I started. I almost, not quite but almost, look forward to the sessions

I am not really sure why I am posting this except to say to all the other people who assume that exercise is for other people and you will never be fit, if I can start at 50 and surprise myself, you never know. I know I am incredibly fortunate that I can do this with a trainer etc but I just wanted to post to anyone who was like me.
That's all really. We can do more than we think

That's a bit crap isn't it

Thats so awesome, I am so jealous!! I keep stopping and starting with exercise and I need to lose at least a stone!

Just have no motivation, tried really hard with quitting smoking as a start in my healthy lifestyle, but so poorly because of it that I just can't be arsed!

I know it's a rubbish excuse, but seeing people that are succeeding really helps to prove it can be done. Thank you

Well done Paggers!!!

I'm really impressed. But why did you have to go and tell me anyone can do it, you've spoilt my moment sitting down with a packet of digestive biscuits and No Hope.

But that is very wonderful for you. Well done and keep going!

(what does he make you do exactly?) [fear]

Oh good! I kniw it sounds a bit self indulgent but I honestly thought for decades I just would never be able to do it so why embarrass myself.

No it's not a rubbish excuse. I think it was what I kept doing for years because somewhere in my head I thought I would never be able to succeed any way.
I think the difference came when I realised it was all about my head being the problem and worked out how to stop myself quitting. I had to figure out what excuses I made up to stop and prevent them and what obstacles happened and how to get over them.

oh I suffer exactly the same.

it's all to do with executive function, dontcha know - poor initiation skills, that's my problem!

seriously though, the fear of starting something - exercise, my next essay (already overdue ) whatever really, is far worse than the reality once I do start.

well done for starting, pag. and glad you are feeling the benefit - it is a big thing to have done.

Betty,

God, can I have a biscuit?

It's a she. We started in my garden so I wasn't too freaked out by the gym and we started slow. It's interval training really. A little bit of running (well a fast walk to start) with done weight based exercises - lunges and squats, sit up etc. We use a step and star jumps etc to up my heart rate then specific exercises.
But she knew I was scared and the sessions are all about pushing on as hard as I could without then dreading the next session iyswim.

Marvellous. Well done you. I told dh for years that I'm just not sporty. Slim, active, healthy, yes. Sporty, no. Then I found out that running helped me get over ptsd in a way nothing else did and suddenly I was a runner. I own running tights and trail shoes ffs. I have a 6 pack. I am adamant I'm not sporty though. I'm a lazy runner.

Thanks silver
you will get more than most just how scared I was at the idea of being unfit and immobile for the next couple of decades

Arf at lazy runner showy. I know exactly what you mean.

I am going to buy a sports bag soon. It's part of my 'embrace the fact that you exercise' thing. I currently turn up at the gym with a handbag. How much of a twat....?

god, yes. I can't imagine the future, but know I need to start getting fit.

I had it all worked out, and was beignning to exercise towards the end of last year. slowly but one step at a time etc etc.

then I went and got pregnant, so back to hobbling crone for a bit, and no hope of anythign more strenuous than waking up for a good while.

add on a couple of years of exhaustion and I will be good and I will so need to get sorted out...

that
Sounds
Hard
work

you've done a brilliant thing. I know what you mean about never ever thinking you'd be one of 'those' people who are good at exercise etc.

and then, the little thought, 'why not?' creeps in and suddenly you have physical work to do because you can't stand not exercising any longer. Oh Goodness. This is terrible...!

(showy...seriously impressed at you too. I had No Idea.)

Oh well done pag! I had the same revelation as you but when I was in my 30s! It's amazing isn't it? Sadly due to various injuries and depression I have let things slide. But am on ADs now and starting to feel more positive so who knows.

Wow pag! what an inspiration!

I was 51 last week and could almost have written your post - up to the point where you started geting fit! Health issues and menopause have resulted in 2 stone weight gain in recent years, and am starting to despair. Have just had steroid injections which will hopefully improve my mobility.

We have a gym over the road. Literally 5 minutes away. THERE ARE NO MORE EXCUSES!

well done Pag.

I'm 38 and just started running. I've done the c25k plan. Hammered through 5kms this morning. I'm so proud of myself too.

Well done!

I am not sure I could do too much running on it's own although perhaps that means I should try._

oh pag it's lovely to hear positive things like this,go forth and spread the word

I run and rather stupidly seem to have a place in this years London,am going to defer till next year though

anyhoo blardy well done to you

Fab well done pag great inspiration thanks for sharing, exercise is a Fab natural drug :o

I'm also doing a "I don't want to be fat and forty fitness" drive. Got 6mth old baby so been doing walk to school both ways is 3.2miles daily and shred dvd every other day plus my fitness pal calorie counting. I've lost stone since Jan but got two more to lose to get a healthy BMI. I too am fed up of back &hip pain and the exhaustion up BF four times a night but being fitter makes it a lot easier to cope with :)

Brilliant, Pag!

I've done exactly the same - have a personal trainer and see him twice a week at the gym. I'm on week three and am half a stone down already (am also back on my low carbing).

I will be 53 this year, so know exactly what you were thinking.

Good for you Pagwatch

I had a knee op in October and was forced to join a gym as part of my rehab and whilst I wouldn't say I enjoy it I certainly feel a lot better!

Oh good!

This is all great, I love that there are lots of us going 'right, that's it. I will become a fit person'

Well done us!

Well done. I so need to do the same.

Will be 48 this year and am hugely overweight. Joined weight watchers in Jan and have lost 10lbs. Joined a tonacise place but only went once. The owner texted me yesterday to remind me I had already paid and should be going so I went today. Felt so much better for doing it. It's all gentle exercise - you move around a series of machines doing 5 mins on each. Then 10 mins on the power plate. Wobble wobble! Have booked my next four sessions and will be walking the days in between. I would love to do couch to 5k but am too heavy yet. I will do it though. Just a bit worried about my knees so will wait till I lose a couple of stone.

Aww lovely pag. Well done.

I have always been the type of person to lie my head off to get out of PE, but have exercised nearly every day since New year's day and feel marvellous. I look fitter than I have done for a loong time.

I love worship and adore Jillian Michaels and plan to marry the woman.

Also exercise is also the best cheerer upper I have ever known. It really makes you feel a lot better about yourself.

I am one of those shallow twats who poses in front of a mirror in gym gear because my arse looks really nice now (at home only, I am not completely hateful)

Those power plates are great. I don't go to the gym any more but i did love those.

... and having a 24 yo Young Man to see twice a week does make the gym a more tempting place to visit ...

I tried the power plate on Wednesday Cider. I tried to speak to my trainer and sounded like a goat! It's great though isn't it. It means I can work out at home by leaning on my washing machine.

Oh getorf do you really admire your own arse? That makes me love you even more