r/FitnessOver50

Summer shred mode engaged!
With Summer almost upon us, think I’m looking not too bad for being 54! What do you all think, any areas needing extra work?

I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing this group of ladies who are still rocking trails well past 50 (and 70 in Henrietta's case)

These girls have a group called "Girls Rock Women's Mountain Biking Organization" otherwise just known as Girls Rock based in Santa Cruz which is a women-focused MTB community which aims to make MTB accessible to all ages.

Their life experiences completely changed the way I think about longevity and starting late in life.

Jessica Tseng grew up in a traditional Chinese household where she was taught (In her own words) Don’t get too much sun, don’t get hurt and don’t climb trees.

She didn’t even start mountain biking until later in life.

Now? She coaches women full-time, races downhill and enduro at 50, and left a successful tech career to empower more women through riding.

Jessica started racing in her 40s… and thinks it’s really important to continue to see female faces out there on the race course.

Then there’s Henrietta Stern, who suffered a major heart condition after years of racing cross-country competitively.

At one point, someone watching her get taken away in an ambulance said that her racing career is over.

But instead of quitting, she adapted.

She started focusing on technique, coaching, and riding for joy instead of pure competition.

Now at 70, she’s still riding technical terrain and says that you can teach an old dog new tricks.

All in all, these ladies have shown me that longevity isn't about trying to stay young, it's about being adaptable and willing to go through the changes in your body and keep learning along the way.

The quote that struck me the most from this interview was when Henrietta said "You are directing that bike and you dance together and make beautiful music"

which spoke to my heart because as music is for all ages, mountain biking should be too.

I was 310 maybe a little more in January late January

Started hitting the gym working out eating different

Now down to 255 starting to get some definition

Came up 5 short

This go round I’ve decided to concentrate on the delts more.

While I used to be able to easily do 5 miles on wheels with no problem... I'm nowhere close to strong enough for that yet. Goals. Last week i got up to 1.5 miles twice. Today doing 3 miles out with my husband and son feels like real and quantifiable progress. Keep showing up 😊. Happy weekend workouts to you all! ✨️

I’d always been on the skinny side and then developed a gut in the past few years. I’m 176cm (5’10) and went up to 78kg (171lbs) and 25% bf.

I started lifting in the pandemic with a PT, but only locked in 18 months ago with 3 sessions a week, full body. I’ve been taking the diet seriously for 6 months now, 1800 calories and 140g protein on average. Less alcohol (but aren’t compromising my social life too much). Now at 67kg (147lbs) and 11.8% bf (cardioscan). The lower abs are proving really obstinate, the skin is a bit loose. But that comes with the age maybe. Given the choice of cutting even more and saying this is Ok, I’m going with the OK. I think I’ve reached a stage where it’s time to build more now.

I now plan to stay at maintenance or just slightly above, about 2200 -2400 calories and improve my weak points (chest obviously, pressing is so much harder than pulling. More on arms too.) Legs have been compromised due to a chronic groin strain, adductor, so squatting and RDLs are out until that’s sorted. Replaced with leg extensions and curls.

Not looking to become big, just more athletic and show to myself you can achieve these things when you’re not 25.

Happy Monday yall. 🥊🥊🥊 200 am throw sesh

Had to share a little playful spirit today as I'm feeling this warmer weather and sunshine 🌞. I was out on wheels ♿️ with my guys in the morning and then did a workout this afternoon. Never could i do both but recently got some help for a heart arrhythmia and it's really opened up the possibilities of fitness progress. Pilates destroyed me today and I'm thrilled to bits to be feeling like I can push myself again!

Try'n to make 8 sets of 10. Get'n close.

Time to cut the carbs for summer.