Deciding to get fit at 50
At the beginning of the year, after months of lockdown-overindulgence, I decided enough was enough. I had to regain some sort of control over! My mission? Getting fit at 50. I had gained about 10lbs and at 5’2” that really shows. My husband never minds me gaining weight, as it means ‘his friends come back to play’. To me though, having full breasts (the friends!) means only one thing – I have let myself go.
In my head I become that depressed, overweight (by 40lbs) teenager all over again, and I hated myself. No amount of people telling you that you look fine can make you feel good about yourself. That feeling has to come from within, and there is only one person that can do anything about that. So on January 1st, after a long, critical look in the mirror, I took a selfie and marked my weight down in my new diary. New year, new me… blah, blah, blah…
Whilst stuffing my face over Christmas, I had been simultaneously researching how I was going to achieve my goals. I watched hours of YouTube video and read endless blogs. After much analysis, I decided that the only way that would realistically work for me, would be a combination of minimal exercise with some sort of low carb/keto diet. And of course, the biggie… cutting out alcohol completely.
Starting a new fitness regime
My new fitness regime would start with 7 minutes of HIIT every morning, in front of Lucy Wyndham-Read on YouTube. I remember proudly telling my daughter all about my new regime. only for her to say ‘That’s great mum – maybe you can do it 2-3 times a day’! Well, that was never going to happen… The thought of getting hot & sweaty and showering more than once a day, was not in the realms of reality! Sadly, I am not the wash & go kinda girl – I am rather more high maintenance than that!
I should add at this point, that I do have 2 dogs, who I walk for an hour a day. I also live in Cornwall, where you can’t go anywhere without a hill. So from a fitness point of view, I wasn’t completely starting from zero. But I was not exactly a big fan of structured exercising!
I had a theory about my programme being only 7 minutes long. With it being so short, I really had no excuses not to do it! So, with the exercise plan sorted, what I ate would be next. In reality I have been on some sort of diet for the whole of my adult life. So doing the no carb thing was familiar, tried and tested. It works for me, when I follow it, and I know what I am doing.
Progress
I had great results that first week (I know, I know, it’s mostly water… but it doesn’t half spur you on!) And good results again, for the next two weeks. I did my 7 minutes of HIIT religiously and was initially really pleased.
The plateau
But a few weeks went by and there was absolutely no change on the scales or in the mirror. I had hit the dreaded plateau. It was beyond depressing, considering how much effort I felt I was putting in. Getting fit at 50 was proving to be much harder than in my 30s.
After moaning to my son about my plateau, he devised a workout programme for me. It would be 15 minutes long and would get me using kettlebells. (He, like my daughter, suggested I could do this more than once a day – again – not gonna happen!)
The jump from 7 to 15 minutes wasn’t too hard, and I felt much better for it. Though the scales still weren’t registering any weight loss, I could see and feel a difference.
As a young teenager I was obsessed with ballet & gymnastics and as a consequence, was very muscular. This was not the look I was after now however. And sadly I was beginning to bulk up, especially on my legs. I was going to have to switch things up, and exercise differently. But how? Yet again I found the answer on YouTube.
What made the difference?
I was looking through the back content of Erin Busbee one of the women I follow on YouTube. Busbee Style – Fashion & Beauty Over 40 and I came across a post about how she had lost 15lbs. It is in her videos that I would find the two most life-altering tips/discoveries that would transform my body. And result in me getting fit at 50 (plus!)
#1 A great lifestyle tip
The first was a lifestyle tip that is so incredibly easy to follow. I have honestly lived by this little lifestyle gem, every day since. Her tip to ensure that you work out, is to put your gym kit on as soon as you wake up. That way you HAVE to do your workout! Because the shame of taking the unused kit off, would be too much guilt to handle! Genius…! We all need a good life-hack and that certainly is an excellent one, so a big THANK YOU to Erin!
#2 Choosing the right exercise
The second was introducing me to the Tracy Anderson Method. Sharing her before & after images was so inspiring! For those of you who haven’t heard of Tracy Anderson – she trains Gwyneth Paltrow and J-Lo. Both women of a certain age, whose results speak for themselves.
Tracy Anderson Method
The exact programme Erin recommended was Tracy Anderson Metamorphosis. It is over a decade old now, but is free to watch on YouTube. So I decided to give it a go. Tracy herself, is 5’0” and was a dance. She too had issues with bulky muscles and serious weight gain at one point in her life which I found hugely motivational. I don’t trust anyone who has not had to fight the real fight, against their body!
Tracy Anderson Metamorphosis
The Metamorphosis programme is 90 days long. It is a daily, 30 minute mat workout, using the Tracy Anderson method. You work through the levels, switching it up every 10 days, until you have completed the series. The only equipment you need is a yoga mat and a pair of 3lb hand weights. You can use ankle weights too, if you want to be really hard core but I only use the hand weights – a 1kg (2.2lbs) pair, as I have a dodgy shoulder and I am really careful not to put too much strain on it .
What is Tracy Anderson Muscular Structure Training?
The Muscular Structure Training starts with a series of arm exercises without weights, followed by an arm section with weights. Then there is standing ab work, followed by on-mat ab work. After that comes the killer section – the one for your glutes. These exercises focus on your accessories muscles, to shape and sculpt your body. I am telling you now, this work out is incredibly hard – think Jane Fonda and then some! But there is no gain without pain (or sweat!) You will feel such a sense of achievement (and relief!) when the 30 minutes is up. In fact, it is all the motivation you need to do it all over again the next day!
And you do have to do it the next day… Tracy doesn’t really believe in days off! She would even prefer that you to did 30 minutes of her Dance Cardio before doing the mat workout! That is a step too far for me though. Besides, I get plenty of huff & puff up those Cornish hills, with my dogs!
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The physical results of the Tracy Anderson Method
Tracy Anderson Method has completely changed my body and how I think about exercise. It is far from easy, but put in the effort and you will be rewarded.
Improved strength and stamina
I am proud to say that I have completed the 90 day Metamorphosis programme and have lost my lockdown-10! I cannot even begin to tell you how much my body and fitness levels have improved, but I will try! My husband cannot believe the results I have achieved either, and not just the changes to my figure. I can now power up those Cornish hills, and keep up with him. Which is saying something, as he is a foot taller than me, with a much longer stride!
Body transformation
But obviously the changes to my body are the ones I am happiest about… ! To start with I actually have a small bottom! I know it is fashionable to have a rather large one these days, but I’m utterly delighted! I’ve never had a little bum, so I am really enjoying the novelty. Rather surprisingly, my boobs have not disappeared, which for my husband, more than me, is a bonus! My upper body is toned, but not scrawny (something I am prone to) and my stomach is flat. But best of all, my legs have slimmed down from being fairly chunky tree trunks, to actually resembling human legs!
To understand this transformation, you have to first know that I have NEVER shown my legs – EVER!! I haven’t worn a skirt since school. If I had to get into a swimsuit (never fun) I would always cover up with a sarong. The lower half of my body has always been completely out of proportion with my upper body. As a result, for the last 35 years, the legs have been kept hidden! Now though, having completed Metamorphosis (along with adjusting my diet), I can wear exercise leggings out in public to walk the dogs, or whatever. This is unbelievably huge for me. In the past, I would not have even worn them in the house – I honestly looked that terrible in them!
Other benefits of the Tracy Anderson method
Doing the Tracy Anderson Method has not only altered my body, it has altered my self esteem along with it. I now love exercising, as it makes me feel so good! I do not starve myself, but I am quite careful with what I eat. Several months in, I started to allow myself a few glasses of wine, as everything else felt so under control. I am a firm believer that life is for living, so yes, the carbs creep in every now and then. But I feel I have it under control. The Tracy Anderson Method has taught me discipline, which is incredibly empowering…
Staying fit at 50
I am now working my way through the 90 day follow-on programme to Metamorphosis. The Continuity programme as it is known is also available on YouTube. There are so many of her workouts on that platform, to keep me going for a good while yet! When I have worked my way through YouTube, I will probably sign up to the online subscription service. TA Online Studio. I now feel so much stronger, and look infinitely better than ever before. I honestly think it would be worth every penny.
For anyone who is wondering – no, this is not a paid post! I just believe that she gets results and the least I can do is share it with you! For maximum benefit and to really get great results, exercise alongside an overhauled eating regime. Check out my post on Weight loss maintenance for some helpful tips…
P.S. If you haven’t ever exercised, it might be an idea to consult your doctor before beginning this programme. It has worked for me, but I would hate for you to get injured as a result.
Sieger says
Hi my friend! I want to say that this post is remarkable, good written and incorporate approximately all significant infos. Id like to see far more posts like this .
larahubner1 says
Many thanks! I will be updating my fitness journey on a regular basis, so hopefully you’ll get to enjoy many more!