Philosopher, feminist, parent, and cyclist! Co-founder of Fit Is a Feminist Issue, co-author of Fit at Mid-Life: A Feminist Fitness Journey, published by Greystone Books.
View all posts by Sam B
check out Nia Shanks (“lift like a girl”), Amber Rogers (“go kaleo”) and Jenny Lewis (Squat the World Fitness). Jenny is my daughter but she is a great fitness professional and has put some videos and vlogs on youtube that are good for people starting out.
In my experience if you are just starting out, you won’t feel really good after a workout at first. You will feel accomplished, but none of the endorphins you hear people talking about. If you’re consistent, somewhere about in the three month range or so you’ll find yourself feeling really good afterword and finally GETTING why people like to work out!
However, some people seem to not get there. They never feel great. Some people only do once they’ve found an activity or sport that they love.
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may be cardio,15 days of cardio and you can see the results
also yoga for any person is always beneficiary
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Things that have helped me:
1) Focus on creating a habit. If it comes to that, 20 minutes a day for the rest of my life is probably more beneficial than is 60 minutes a day for 3 months and then quitting. (In practice, I find that I do a fair amount more than 20 minutes on most days — but I still like the emphasis on movement being a part of my daily routine.) This also helps me to see things like sick days, low energy days, coming-back-from-injury days, and just-couldn’t-manage-exercise days (e.g., I traveled 12 hours yesterday) as part of a much bigger picture.
2) To that end, finding a group of activities (for me, it’s a group; for others, it may be one or two) that I truly enjoy (and at the beginning, “enjoy” can mean “I suck at this now but am genuinely motivated to get better at it”) to be immensely helpful.
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I think group fitness is a great place to start. Check out your local y. Find something fun. Try it all.
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I really appreciate this blog for info and inspiration! I found it searching for something cycling related I think…so much relatable content!
I’m a 62-year-old personal trainer, cyclist, mom of 6 adult kids (all athletic, one a firmer pro cyclist), and gramma of 3 and counting. We’re all speaking the same language!
I had commented a few weeks ago in response to a post about sitting in which you ( I think it was you) mentioned wanting a red Hokki stool. I’m not sure if my comment posted because I was having an issue with logging in. Anyway, I can get you one because one of my sons represents the mfgr. If you like to follow up let me know! Polli
I love aworkoutroutine.com. It’s more for weight training, but has heaps of information and encourages women to train the same way as men and get over the myth that lifting weights will make you super buff and meaty (because that’s really freaking difficult as we don’t have that thing called testosterone) and instead empowers you and strengthens your mind and body.
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Well, first of all… don’t be afraid to go to the gym.. You are not there to impress anyone. Drink your protein and only do 30 min or less of cardio a day.. More cardio than that you are burning muscle instead of fat
Two things worked for me: scheduling stuff involving someone else (a workout buddy, or a trainer, or a class, for example – something where I felt some obligation to show up), and telling myself I had to start my workout, but could stop after ten minutes if it felt too bad. So I had to change clothes, head to the gym, or the stationary bike, or the walk or run, and get going. Usually, after about 1 or 2 minutes, things felt pretty tough, but by 10, I realized I was going to be ok and I kept going. By the way, I was in my late 40s when I started; I was 51 when I first got on a road bike; I am 63 now and spent yesterday riding my bike 103 miles (170km) with 10,000′ (3050m) of climbing. Once I got into it, I couldn’t believe how great it made me feel.
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This is great advice. Speaking as a “senior” personal trainer (62), I have the wonderful opportunity to work with clients of all ages, but being especially “relatable” to older clients. Many of them have only recently begun to be aware of their fitness (or lack thereof) and are really intimidated by the mere idea of a weight room. Machines can be scary (particularly plate loaded), and forget free weights. Left on their own, new clients will usually defer to cardio and skip resistance/weight training all together. Classes are great if there’s individual attention (I teach classes too), but starting with a trainer is the best plan, since he or she will have the expertise to encourage, understand goals, cue execution, weight and reps. Personal training can be costly, so starting with a number of set sessions is a good idea to learn movements, then add sessions as needed. There is nothing like the pleasure of seeing a client glowing with pride realizing how STRONG they have become after working together. I love this job!
Your riding sounds awesome! I also started riding seriously at around 50, and then racing crits, and I do centuries every summer. One of my sons is a former pro, so I had the amazing advantage of training with him and his team mates over the years, although I never thought I would race–with their encouragement I finally started to compete. Crits are in the past, but the bike is forever. I also recommend finding an experienced rower at the gym and add the erg to the training plan. (It contributed to keeping me fit along with indoor riding through winter) We have the shared wisdom that you can start at any time and build fitness for a lifetime!
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My experience is go for yoga with mix of cardio. Try doing yoga for 6 minutes and 6 minutes of cardio, this well help a faster metbolism rate which intends to cut down the fat. Yeah ! till we get use it there will be slight aches in the joint or muscle ache that will reduce by oil massaging.
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As a certified personal trainer I’d suggest getting a workout buddy if you’re not going to work with a trainer. Then, try out different things until you find the modality that speaks best to you. From there, do your research! Find out the SAFEST way to continue training in that format. If it’s yoga or group fitness, running, cycling, whatever floats your boat…but give some different things a try.
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Unless you’re looking to do cardio only activities (i.e. walking/running/cycling/swimming), find a gym you like. Make an appointment with a personal trainer to talk about your fitness goals and have them assess where you are now. See if the gym offers group classes and try a few, though be prepared for the instructors to be inconsistent in how well they include novice attendees. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else — you are where you are, and trying to do more than you can will lead to injury.
check out Nia Shanks (“lift like a girl”), Amber Rogers (“go kaleo”) and Jenny Lewis (Squat the World Fitness). Jenny is my daughter but she is a great fitness professional and has put some videos and vlogs on youtube that are good for people starting out.
http://www.stwfitness.com/
Thanks!
In my experience if you are just starting out, you won’t feel really good after a workout at first. You will feel accomplished, but none of the endorphins you hear people talking about. If you’re consistent, somewhere about in the three month range or so you’ll find yourself feeling really good afterword and finally GETTING why people like to work out!
However, some people seem to not get there. They never feel great. Some people only do once they’ve found an activity or sport that they love.
may be cardio,15 days of cardio and you can see the results
also yoga for any person is always beneficiary
Things that have helped me:
1) Focus on creating a habit. If it comes to that, 20 minutes a day for the rest of my life is probably more beneficial than is 60 minutes a day for 3 months and then quitting. (In practice, I find that I do a fair amount more than 20 minutes on most days — but I still like the emphasis on movement being a part of my daily routine.) This also helps me to see things like sick days, low energy days, coming-back-from-injury days, and just-couldn’t-manage-exercise days (e.g., I traveled 12 hours yesterday) as part of a much bigger picture.
2) To that end, finding a group of activities (for me, it’s a group; for others, it may be one or two) that I truly enjoy (and at the beginning, “enjoy” can mean “I suck at this now but am genuinely motivated to get better at it”) to be immensely helpful.
I think group fitness is a great place to start. Check out your local y. Find something fun. Try it all.
I really appreciate this blog for info and inspiration! I found it searching for something cycling related I think…so much relatable content!
I’m a 62-year-old personal trainer, cyclist, mom of 6 adult kids (all athletic, one a firmer pro cyclist), and gramma of 3 and counting. We’re all speaking the same language!
I had commented a few weeks ago in response to a post about sitting in which you ( I think it was you) mentioned wanting a red Hokki stool. I’m not sure if my comment posted because I was having an issue with logging in. Anyway, I can get you one because one of my sons represents the mfgr. If you like to follow up let me know! Polli
I’d love one. Email me, sbrennan@uwo.ca!
I love aworkoutroutine.com. It’s more for weight training, but has heaps of information and encourages women to train the same way as men and get over the myth that lifting weights will make you super buff and meaty (because that’s really freaking difficult as we don’t have that thing called testosterone) and instead empowers you and strengthens your mind and body.
Well, first of all… don’t be afraid to go to the gym.. You are not there to impress anyone. Drink your protein and only do 30 min or less of cardio a day.. More cardio than that you are burning muscle instead of fat
Reblogged this on itsnevertoolatetotryfight.
Two things worked for me: scheduling stuff involving someone else (a workout buddy, or a trainer, or a class, for example – something where I felt some obligation to show up), and telling myself I had to start my workout, but could stop after ten minutes if it felt too bad. So I had to change clothes, head to the gym, or the stationary bike, or the walk or run, and get going. Usually, after about 1 or 2 minutes, things felt pretty tough, but by 10, I realized I was going to be ok and I kept going. By the way, I was in my late 40s when I started; I was 51 when I first got on a road bike; I am 63 now and spent yesterday riding my bike 103 miles (170km) with 10,000′ (3050m) of climbing. Once I got into it, I couldn’t believe how great it made me feel.
This is great advice. Speaking as a “senior” personal trainer (62), I have the wonderful opportunity to work with clients of all ages, but being especially “relatable” to older clients. Many of them have only recently begun to be aware of their fitness (or lack thereof) and are really intimidated by the mere idea of a weight room. Machines can be scary (particularly plate loaded), and forget free weights. Left on their own, new clients will usually defer to cardio and skip resistance/weight training all together. Classes are great if there’s individual attention (I teach classes too), but starting with a trainer is the best plan, since he or she will have the expertise to encourage, understand goals, cue execution, weight and reps. Personal training can be costly, so starting with a number of set sessions is a good idea to learn movements, then add sessions as needed. There is nothing like the pleasure of seeing a client glowing with pride realizing how STRONG they have become after working together. I love this job!
Your riding sounds awesome! I also started riding seriously at around 50, and then racing crits, and I do centuries every summer. One of my sons is a former pro, so I had the amazing advantage of training with him and his team mates over the years, although I never thought I would race–with their encouragement I finally started to compete. Crits are in the past, but the bike is forever. I also recommend finding an experienced rower at the gym and add the erg to the training plan. (It contributed to keeping me fit along with indoor riding through winter) We have the shared wisdom that you can start at any time and build fitness for a lifetime!
My experience is go for yoga with mix of cardio. Try doing yoga for 6 minutes and 6 minutes of cardio, this well help a faster metbolism rate which intends to cut down the fat. Yeah ! till we get use it there will be slight aches in the joint or muscle ache that will reduce by oil massaging.
As a certified personal trainer I’d suggest getting a workout buddy if you’re not going to work with a trainer. Then, try out different things until you find the modality that speaks best to you. From there, do your research! Find out the SAFEST way to continue training in that format. If it’s yoga or group fitness, running, cycling, whatever floats your boat…but give some different things a try.
Unless you’re looking to do cardio only activities (i.e. walking/running/cycling/swimming), find a gym you like. Make an appointment with a personal trainer to talk about your fitness goals and have them assess where you are now. See if the gym offers group classes and try a few, though be prepared for the instructors to be inconsistent in how well they include novice attendees. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else — you are where you are, and trying to do more than you can will lead to injury.