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

Hahahaha

Well I stand there in front of a mirror or my own reflection in the patio doors (oh what a wanker etc) and try to recreate that pose on the reebok magic shoe adverts I saw all over the tube last summer.

I then thrill myself with my bum tightening skills.

I have bought myself a pair of LYCRA CYCLING SHORTS.

I don't actually leave the house though. And you should have heard my dd roar with shocked laughter at the (in her eyes) cycling shorts debacle.

It is brilliant isn't it, mentally and physically.

I read a piece somewhere about how men don't have so many problems with the way they look because they like their body for what it can do rather than how it looks. Sweeping generalisation of course but I definitely like my body more since getting fit(ish) and it's not because I look any different it's because I'm proud of what I can do with it. And there's nothing like a run to get the happy hormones going.

Oh well done Pag....it can be done!!!!
I am nearly 52 and last April got a personal trainer, as I too was menopausal andfannying about at the gym doing nothing except use the sauna.
I got a trainer, and have lost 10 lbs and have dropped 2 dress sizes.
I am so much more toned, have had no back problems since starting Pilates and evryone comments on my appearance.
And I've just found out today I've won a place running a 100m relay at the new Olympic stadium in April.

I felt the same 9 years ago. Sport was something Other People did. I did smoking and eating chocolate. LIke you I was slim and healthy so didn't feel the need to Do Sport (and indeed may have scoffed a teeny weeny bit at those out pounding the pavements).

Then a man came to the door one evening and bullied cajoled me into trying karate. I could take ds1 too (I was a lone parent at the time) so no excuses.

Now I am a 1st dan, train twice a week and also voluntarily go to the gym twice a week to get even better at karate (and tone up those pesky bingo wings, which are still resisting all attacks). And I miss it when I can't go for a week.

Who'd'a thunk it?

MrsRob what a brilliant prize!

I feel slightly ashamed that I wasted my gym memebership by either sitting in the bar drinking wine and eatin chips, or sitting sweating in the turkish bath bit thinking 'sitting in here will mean i sweat away 6lbs, just as good as bodypump'

I've been quite a good gym attender for a month or so now and I am astounded by how much good it has done me.

I can heartily recommend spinning classes flogging yourself half to death on stationary bikes to the accompaniment of loud music and shouting instructors. They have MASSIVELY improved my arthritic knee, to the extent that I can now go running again after a couple of years of not being able to. I think it just tones the muscles surrounding the knee without subjecting it to impact. Plus, I am inches slimmer, though sadly not stones lighter I think that will require me to bite the bullet and eat less.

I've also cured a pins and needles thing I had going on in my fingers, which was due to something being trapped and congested around my neck somewhere: all the stretches, plus a bit of light weight-training using the fancy gym machines, have loosened something up.

And it hugely improves mood, hugely.

Last October I started doing circuit training. First serious exercise in about 15 years. Since Christmas I have been going twice a week and I love it. I am more toned and slightly slimmer, but the main benefit has been to the way I feel. I really thought I was past the point where I could do serious exercise and I thought I was stuck with all the little niggly aches and pains of middle age. Not so, apparently. And it has also it has definitely improved my mood as well. I am proud of myself too

That's it exactly, TheReturnOfStropperella. I had been feeling really down in the grip of a thought that middle-aged niggles were now my inescapable destiny, and a foretaste of an inevitable decline. But in fact all of them have improved through exercise. No arthritic pain, masses more energy, disappearance of two or three different sorts of discomfort that were interfering with sleep. I understand now that there is nothing to stop me being as fit in middle age as I was throughout my earlier life.

Pag - I know what you mean about talking like a goat! They do make you feel very odd. Especially when you get off and feel all drunk!

The washing machine comment reminded me of a guy that DH knew who was caught "at it" with the maid while she sat on top of the washing machine which was on a spin cycle!

i am using the biggest loser fast track programme. gives you a daily menu for both food and exercises. stick to a 1200 calorie a day intake and burn 400 cals a day via exercise. there have been some dramatic weightlosses and you obviously get fitter as you get lighter. they also have an online food diary and all sorts of forums for encouragement. exercises can be done at home. have a look at their site on the internet. biggestloser.

Why is it everyone always says they feel great when they excercise? I feel totally crap when I'm working out - either stupid or annoyed Then afterwards I'm so tired I need to sleep so they whole days wasted I've tried soft & hard work outs at gym but I still feel tired and fed up afterwards. Where's this natural high and full of energy thing?!

To be honest, really honest megamum2010. - if you are so exhausted after a light workout that you have to sleep and are trashed for 24 hours then you ought to see your Doctor.
That is not even close to normal.

I agree.

Even though I am knackered when I get home (massive understatement - and you should see the colour of my face!), I really feel good and thoroughly enjoy the session.