Maria’s Stuff: Life in the gym at 50.

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My decision to take classes in a local gym stemmed from the following facts.

For the period of eighteen months to two years before June 2013, my life revolved around my parents. My mum’s strokes meant she needed our support and that was that. However, following her death in June 2013 I began to take a look at my own health.

I’ve always been conscious of my health but never more so than after witnessing the devastation that a stroke, diabetes and heart problems can bring to someone’s door.  Add experience with dealing with epilepsy and asthma into the mix and I had good reason to sit and think about my future.

Health is your wealth. Truth.

I decided to step up my fitness regime by doing, Pilates and Kettlebells. All went well and when my husband said he was going to Niall’s gym for some strength and mobility classes I was encouraged to go along.

I have been there once a week for the past five weeks. It has been an eye opener for me.

1              I’m not as unfit as I thought,

2              A combination of working for years at a typewriter or computer has reduced my shoulder mobility and

3              Competitiveness does not diminish with age. (As I quickly discovered when a mini competition began between me and another lady of a good twenty – twenty-five years younger than me.) It was worth the heavy perspiration rate when I noticed the surprised and strained look on her face.

The disadvantages of going into this particular gym are:

1. Niall  – Having the trainer tell you “Mum you really don’t need to push yourself into a state requiring an ambulance, do you?” is a bit disheartening.

2. Letting the whole room know you actually gave birth to their personal fitness trainer is not always a good thing.

3. Bribing your trainer (son) with chocolate cake/cheescake and pancakes does not always work in your favor.

But the advantages are still there,

1. I’ve toned up those dreaded bingo wings.

2. I can manage to keep up with the kids I coach athletics to.

3.  I can eat the said, cheesecake, chocolate cake with less guilt than ever felt before.

tea 1

 

The only trouble is what happens if and when I stop exercising? Best not to worry just enjoy the cake.

10 thoughts on “Maria’s Stuff: Life in the gym at 50.”

  1. Keeping fit is a lot more sensible than having one! Keeping it UP is a problem.
    One really does need to find something one does for sheer fun which promotes fitness as a side benefit. I think the gym-style exercise for its own sake has an appeal which can only last so long and no longer. I am not into birdwatching, but some of the keen ones of my ken are certainly models of fitness. I am seeking something of that kind.

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  3. Excellent post – both the way it’s written and its message. Interesting too about your shoulder mobility, and that you are fitter than you thought (I imagine looking after Bob and Ellie helps).

    Last time I went to the gym the cross trainer told me “keep pedalling or the machine will shut down”. I was pedalling as hard as I could!!

    I didn’t realise you coached athletics to kids as well. My daughter goes to athletics and it makes such a different to kids’ lives to have the opportunity to be properly coached, not just what they get at school.

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