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Location: Formerly Pleasanton Ca, now in Marietta Ga
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At 66 I’m in the top 5 percent of the oldest people in the gym. I’m probably top 10 percent strength wise. I don’t ever plan on not working out, but I’m sure some day it will change.
Part of the reason people think I’m way younger than my age is because I work out.
I'm with those who say it's never too late to build muscle mass and get stronger. About 9 months ago, at age 69, I started weight training at a gym (thank you, Silver Sneakers!). I hit the gym every day, do 20-30 minutes of cardio and then 45 minutes to an hour of resistance training. When I first started at the gym, I was still receiving physical therapy for chronic neck pain. I treated for over 2.5 years with a neurologist, chiro and physical therapists. I finally had enough improvement that my doc of PT gave me the go-ahead to join a gym and start weight training. He talked with my trainer at the gym and they worked out a plan for me. After about six weeks, my neck was 100% and I stopped PT. Yay!
After just a couple of months at the gym, I was already stronger than I've been in several years. Now, I've got sizeable biceps and my arms, legs, shoulders and back are much stronger. I'm working on my core as well. Last November, when it was time to clean the gutters on my house, I was surprised at how much easier it was for me to haul around my 16' extension ladder, set it up and do the work that needed doing. Trimming trees was much easier as well. I do all the maintenance on my house, and I'm amazed at how much easier it is now, as opposed to a year ago. I feel I'm getting younger instead of older. I can't believe I'm 70!
I am careful not to work the same muscle groups two days in a row and I do my more advanced routines only about every three days. I have one routine that my trainer advised me to only do every two weeks. I feel like a million bucks. I can't wait for spring weather to come so that I can start doing some heavy-duty yard work and outdoor home maintenance. The only thing that puts a wrinkle in things is that I have really bad arthritis in my hands, so gripping things is very painful. But tough bananas! I can deal with it.
My aunt, who died at age 97 two years ago, started working out when she was in her 60s. She worked out faithfully six days a week, giving herself Sundays off. She had a treadmill and purchased some dumbbells for weight training. She did her workouts with a VHS senior workout tape. She was strong, coordinated and had great bone density her entire life. She was only sick for a brief time (weeks) before she died. She was a testament to the fact that taking good care of yourself can greatly extend your life and certainly your quality of life.
Something that made me laugh from time to time was the fact that, until nearly the end, my aunt could sit cross-legged on the floor and get up without hanging onto furniture. I always needed to grab onto something to get up. She put me to shame!
No, I'm not sitting; I don't socialize except on the weekend when I talk to someone my age between sets when we are both at the cable machines...we remember the old days; back in the '80's at the gym...we are the only two left and he's 10 years younger than me...I wish I had his stamina and flexibility. I hope to keep this up until I turn 80, but that seems more and more unlikely. My shoulder is shot - two surgeons said the surgery has a low likelihood of working and I am not up for a replacement; my lumbar region has severe issues and two neurosurgeons said the same about that - or as they both said, I would not get the results I want.
I started going to PF about 5 -6 years ago. I am 72, 165lbs. I have seen noticeable improvement. I started primarily to not outgrow my clothes after retirement. I find that I have gained strength and am happy with my body today , more so than when I was younger.. I don't have a personal trainer but do a lot of strength machines and have gradually added more resistance to the machine and tried to increase the reps. I have used the rule that if it starts hurting, I quit. I am more afraid of injury and then I would have to lay out and gain weight and loose whatever I have gained. As of today , I am not on any prescriptions. I know that will probably change at some point but the longer I can keep drug free, the better.
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