We’ve all seen the articles showing the benefits of lifting weights in your later years. But what does that actually mean? And how does it work?
Before anything else, it is important for me to mention that I have not yet turned 50. That exciting birthday won’t happen until after Christmas, which is something to look forward to right after the overindulgence of the festive period. Luckily enough, I’ve already started my journey to get fit in my fifties. Once I learned how weights could build muscle, prevent falls, and boost heart health, I was totally in! What made me want to get into this later? Mostly to get in shape, get stronger, and live longer, hopefully. That meant hitting the gym. The big secret was sticking to it, something that I’ve struggled with in the past.
I’m fortunate there is a free gym at my work; I get that not everyone will have the opportunity. You should start by figuring out what’s close by and what fits your budget. The other option is finding some space at home where you can do it; that and buying the weights. This’ll free up some time and put things like travel out of your mind. On the downside, it’s easy to get distracted at home; the washing needs done or there is that new show on streaming.
That choice was taken out of my hands when I knew I had access to a gym at work at no cost. So with my free gym membership, I followed the trainer around, checking out the machines, and took the first step on my journey to a fitter me. Sounds easy, right? Get ready to lift, run, and hunt for tunes every day. Well, that's what I thought too.
This wasn’t a poor attempt. There were early mornings, rain or shine, and picking out my workout clothes (Bodydisciple, as if you have to ask) were part of it. Something felt wrong, and even though I put in the work for a year, nothing’s changed. I still look the same, my biceps aren’t popping, and there are still man-boobs. So where was I going wrong?
Fuelling the fire
The first thing that I realise that’s not working for me is my diet. A calorie deficit is needed for weight loss. That was the first problem; I’d not really changed my diet. There was an increased intake of protein and fresh fruit and vegetables. Despite a few months of drinking homemade protein shakes, it wasn’t enough. Gaining strength involves more than just effort; it’s about the fuel.
Getting out of bed
The second problem was ensuring my attendance. I sometimes work remotely, so I skip the gym if I’m not in the office. This meant on average two visits to the gym every week. I figured I could get the best of both worlds if I did this and ran the other days. Nope. I run, but the weather is a factor. If it’s raining, if it’s too stormy; well, I’m not running. So, I need a new mindset to get me moving in the right direction.
So what now?
The simple matter is, I need to revisit my year journey at getting fit. If there’s been little progress, it's down to me, and I can’t blame the weather. How can I change and get back on the right path? First, I need to talk to someone who’s been through the journey; find out what they learned and where I can improve. Next, I really need to learn more about nutrients; find what works for me, all the while not skipping meals. I need to step up my motivation gain, set targets and move toward a more positive mindset. And finally, it’s beneficial to have my own weights at home for days I can’t go to the gym.