I’m usually a pretty happy, positive person. Yet, every so often, I go off on a little rant. This is one of those times. I’m a little cranky. So, as Joan Rivers would say, “Can we talk?”.

My pet peeve of the day? Why aren’t more women over the age of 40 lifting weights? I hear time and again about how we peri- and post-menopausal women are getting all fat and frumpy. Well, here’s what I think: The ones who are getting fat and frumpy are not lifting weights.

I’d also bet that a good number of the heavy ones are doing some sort of low intensity exercise (like walking the dog) several times a week, feeling that they’ve got the “exercise” in their life covered. Wrong. All that low level stuff is wonderful for stress reduction, quality time with friends and pets, to get your circulation going and to get your joints moving. But for fat loss or for muscle development? Nope.

So, my crankiness started today when I overheard a conversation between two fifty something women during which one woman said to the next woman: “My weight is up so I’m going to have to start walking more and start that low calorie diet again”. Yeesh. She’ll probably look the same come December 1st. What would I have loved to hear? How about “I’d better sign up for that cardio kick boxing class at the club in order to ramp up my workouts”, or “I think I need a few sessions with a trainer to learn how to lift free weights and build a little calorie burning muscle”. Ummmmm…….only in my dreams.

Here’s the crux of my rant: Some boomer women still hang on to the idea that they’re “too old” to do certain forms of exercise or that they’ll bulk up by lifting weights. Wrong on both counts. There may be exercises that some women in their 50’s or 60’s aren’t fit enough to do (yet), but we’re not that fragile. And, we’re NOT going to bulk up by lifting weights. Save for a few women with severe musculoskeletal disorders, all women can and should lift weights .

Studies show that strength training slows the aging process, boosts your mood and boosts your metabolism by laying down additional muscle over time. Heck, I’m sold on the first benefit alone. Slow down my aging process? Where do I sign up??!!!! I’m in.

I believe higher intensity exercise (preferably designed into an interval training program) plus lifting weights is the secret to living a vibrant and healthy life as a 50+ woman. However, low calorie dieting and “more cardio” seems to be the manta of women over 50 who want to lose weight.

My suggestion for a new mantra for the new “enlightened” boomer woman?……

“I want to be lean, toned and vibrant. Hand over the weights and give me a side order of intervals”.

Okay, I’ll stop ranting now.

I’ll be back to my sunny, positive self in my next post.

Promise.

Committed to your success,

Becky

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