To Lift Or Not To Lift?

[blueta2]

I've been seriously considering not lifting anymore....I see older women like Madonna and Demi saying they stopped lifting to ease up on the "abuse" one takes when lifting. They simply do pilates and yoga now and look awesome.
I was thinking of doing the same.
I'm 40, in good shape but my joints are sore, my energy level is low (tougher working out) and I just plain hate getting to the gym.
Any input on this? Have any of you women just stopped lifting weights and continued with another way of fitness?
Do you think I will still get the benefits of lifting from pilates and or yoga?!

 

[Gymgurl]

I personaly think you should lift...but you don't have to lift to the extreme...It just maintains that nice muscle tone as we get cough cough older

 

[Gymgurl]

Not to mention bone density too

 

[superqt4u2nv]

Madonna and Demi neglect to mention the personal chefs and or plastic surgeries they have to keep them looking the way they do. I also highly doubt either of them lifted over a 20 lbs dumbell in there life which makes there statements even more crazy. There is a lady I know just turned 50 doesn't even look 40 and she lifts a lot still competes in BB. If your body is taking a beating the sure makes sense to lower the weight but to stop completely not a good idea at all IMHO

 

[cindylou]

I stoped lifting for 3 months last year becasue I took a break I had no time and I figured the time I had needed to go to cardio.

I have no idea why but it had something to do with the scale I just had to get that number down. I kept doing cardio and random pilates etc.

I knew better but I did it anyway.

It was the worst move ever!!

 

[blueta2]

Thanks ladies..all such helpful input.

I mean I feel great when I work out, but I just feel my body needs something different. I guess incorporating maybe pilates with lifting could be good.

QT, I don't think Madonna had any plastic surgery, but what do I know.
I just recall an interview with her where she said she was so fed up of lifting weight and found pilates and she felt even better then when lifting and that she would never step foot in a gym again. Sure she has chefs etc...but the bottom line is she is very discipline.

Cindylou why was it the worst move ever?!

 

[Sassy69]

"Lifting" = resistance training - build, maintain muscle mass. There are LOTS of ways to "lift" - I think you will be hard pressed to find women w/ the toning (ugh that word) like Madonna got who don't do something that involves some sort of resistance training. Even yoga can count as that as far as I'm concerned.

But if it does anything for you, my mom is 65 and had so little muscle development around her knees, that her knees used to pop out of place (lol I know "technical" - but this is what the doc told her - and she's not fat but has 40% bodyfat -- if its not "too much fat" it must be "not enough muscle") -- she started doing a fitness class similar to that power bar or whatever it is and she's soooo much stronger now. There are all sorts of studies about sedentary people in nursing homes doing resistance training w/ soup cans and making crazy changes in their body composition.

I hear ya on the 40 & joints -- elbows, shoulders & knees right now - everyone joint has a problem that directly impacts my life every day since last summer. I certainly won't stop lifting. Just gotta find different ways to do it.

 

[highoctane]

I personally couldn't imagine not throwing all different components together in terms of working out. I couldn't imagine not going into the gym and doing my dips or curls, or taking it to the next plate on the press, etc. I also couldn't imagine only doing JUST that. For me, and not that I'm one to talk yet, but a combination of all of that; weights, cardio, pilates, etc. etc. are what have been the key to success.

A while back I used to run every single day for an hour (like 2 years ago). That was all I did. Granted I was in great shape...but it was BORING! Combining everything makes it a much spicier experience.

My 2 cents.

 

[blueta2]

I personally couldn't imagine not throwing all different components together in terms of working out. I couldn't imagine not going into the gym and doing my dips or curls, or taking it to the next plate on the press, etc. I also couldn't imagine only doing JUST that. For me, and not that I'm one to talk yet, but a combination of all of that; weights, cardio, pilates, etc. etc. are what have been the key to success.

A while back I used to run every single day for an hour (like 2 years ago). That was all I did. Granted I was in great shape...but it was BORING! Combining everything makes it a much spicier experience.

My 2 cents.

I agree, there is a certain "high" when you do weights. I feel good when I do it, but my body, I think, is just tired!

 

[blueta2]

"Lifting" I hear ya on the 40 & joints -- elbows, shoulders & knees right now - everyone joint has a problem that directly impacts my life every day since last summer. I certainly won't stop lifting. Just gotta find different ways to do it.

Yeah this is how I feel......I need to find different ways. More sex? More shopping? eating more chocolate? I hear these are good too...hehe!

Sassy, how many times a week do you work out? Do you go heavy? Do you have a log anywhere on EF?!

 

[superqt4u2nv]

Yeah this is how I feel......I need to find different ways. More sex? More shopping? eating more chocolate? I hear these are good too...hehe!

Sassy, how many times a week do you work out? Do you go heavy? Do you have a log anywhere on EF?!

I am not Sassy but here is a link to her log Sassy69 log of fit and fabulousness well in GA

 

[blueta2]

I am not Sassy but here is a link to her log Sassy69 log of fit and fabulousness well in GA

who's the best and sweetest Canadian everrrrrrrrrrr!

Thanks D

 

[Sassy69]

Yeah this is how I feel......I need to find different ways. More sex? More shopping? eating more chocolate? I hear these are good too...hehe!

Sassy, how many times a week do you work out? Do you go heavy? Do you have a log anywhere on EF?!

Normally I train 6-7 days/ week - if not lifting, cardio, abs, class, something. I was training for a show this past summer but due to age, weights, accumulation of stress on various joints, I am now seeing an orthopaedic guy for tendonitis in my shoulders (rotators) & bursitis & possible torn meniscus in my knees. Right now I'm in the middle of getting some final diagnoses on this stuff so I can plan some sort of rehab or figure out what exactly I can do in the gym. So far I can do upper body stuff, but my weights are down by 1/2 in some cases due to the pain and I avoid anything that puts my grip in a 'lat grip' which aggravates my shoulders. Knees-wise - I've avoided legs anythign for several weeks now with some sporadic cardio. Should get the final word on the torn meniscus on Thurs.

So summary - no I doubt I'll be lifting "heavy" ever again. So I need to figure out some different approaches. I have a log floating around somewhere but its trailed off w/ my sporadic training. Diet is pretty tight - mostly I don't eat enough anymore - which is fine w/ me.

 

[Sassy69]

I am not Sassy but here is a link to her log Sassy69 log of fit and fabulousness well in GA

Damn you're quick.


And I concur -- hot, sweet canuck!

 

[blueta2]

Normally I train 6-7 days/ week - if not lifting, cardio, abs, class, something. I was training for a show this past summer but due to age, weights, accumulation of stress on various joints, I am now seeing an orthopaedic guy for tendonitis in my shoulders (rotators) & bursitis & possible torn meniscus in my knees. Right now I'm in the middle of getting some final diagnoses on this stuff so I can plan some sort of rehab or figure out what exactly I can do in the gym. So far I can do upper body stuff, but my weights are down by 1/2 in some cases due to the pain and I avoid anything that puts my grip in a 'lat grip' which aggravates my shoulders. Knees-wise - I've avoided legs anythign for several weeks now with some sporadic cardio. Should get the final word on the torn meniscus on Thurs.

So summary - no I doubt I'll be lifting "heavy" ever again. So I need to figure out some different approaches. I have a log floating around somewhere but its trailed off w/ my sporadic training. Diet is pretty tight - mostly I don't eat enough anymore - which is fine w/ me.

Well you're still getting "busy" 6-7 days a week. That is great!
Have you ever just stopped? Like stopped all lifting for like months or a year? I sometimes wonder if I just stop for 3 months if my joints would heal and my strength would come back.
I do walk and swim so am making up for lost gym time.
I too am not a big eater....

 

[Sassy69]

I take time off --- its been primarily when I've had some upheaval in my life -- when I moved to Atlanta - I lived in a shitty 'corporate housing' apt and had no idea how to get around. When I've worked crazy hours and simply didn't have the bandwidth to do it. And a couple times when I've been out for injuries - particularly a lower back problem I had a few yrs ago. So its been like maybe 2 months max w/o any training. I don't get all hung up if I need the time off. I've become very accepting of my body & my mind -- i.e. I listen to what my body says I need. Sometimes I get lazy, but maybe its because I need it. If I start getting pissy about goign to the gym (or not going), then its time to go back because then I'm just being obstinant - i.e. STFU & Lift. I always try to remind myself how much better & in control I feel when I go vs. staying in bed or whatever. Its not a hard argument.

I don't know specifically what your joint issues are -- I've worked around tendonitis in both my elbows for years. The rotator & knee issues have resulted in some crazy responses from the rest of my body i.e. - rotator gets stressed, therefore the whole rest of that side of my back engages to compensate for the rotator as the weak point. Result? A gigantic knot that runs up that side of my spin, twitchy rhomboids and my scapula needs to be pushed back in. Knees - I can just be sittign there & they start to throb. When pain like that starts to affect my regular life, that's like trying to ride a bike that is out of alignment - you can live w/ it but it makes you feel like either like a complete whiner or a cripple -- you know say things like "Oh I can't do that - I have bad knees." Holy God -- that's stuff you hear from sedentary people who have aged 20 yrs beyond their chronological age. Sorry - I intend to be riding a Harley when I'm 90. I gotta keep up my strength & agility because there's nothign but younger guys left to date.

 

[blueta2]

I take time off --- its been primarily when I've had some upheaval in my life -- when I moved to Atlanta - I lived in a shitty 'corporate housing' apt and had no idea how to get around. When I've worked crazy hours and simply didn't have the bandwidth to do it. And a couple times when I've been out for injuries - particularly a lower back problem I had a few yrs ago. So its been like maybe 2 months max w/o any training. I don't get all hung up if I need the time off. I've become very accepting of my body & my mind -- i.e. I listen to what my body says I need. Sometimes I get lazy, but maybe its because I need it. If I start getting pissy about goign to the gym (or not going), then its time to go back because then I'm just being obstinant - i.e. STFU & Lift. I always try to remind myself how much better & in control I feel when I go vs. staying in bed or whatever. Its not a hard argument.

I don't know specifically what your joint issues are -- I've worked around tendonitis in both my elbows for years. The rotator & knee issues have resulted in some crazy responses from the rest of my body i.e. - rotator gets stressed, therefore the whole rest of that side of my back engages to compensate for the rotator as the weak point. Result? A gigantic knot that runs up that side of my spin, twitchy rhomboids and my scapula needs to be pushed back in. Knees - I can just be sittign there & they start to throb. When pain like that starts to affect my regular life, that's like trying to ride a bike that is out of alignment - you can live w/ it but it makes you feel like either like a complete whiner or a cripple -- you know say things like "Oh I can't do that - I have bad knees." Holy God -- that's stuff you hear from sedentary people who have aged 20 yrs beyond their chronological age. Sorry - I intend to be riding a Harley when I'm 90. I gotta keep up my strength & agility because there's nothign but younger guys left to date.

I've taken 2 months off also (summer of 2005) and the guilt was insane. I do push myself to go back and of course felt happy I did!
My joint pain is cause from inflammation. I have a few health issues also, which keep me in peril, but I still try to kick butt when I get to the gym.
Like you I do the "STFU and lift".
I guess I am just at a crossroads with this. I need more, better, less, more etc......

Is Harley your boyfriend?...hehe kidding!
There are lots of good old farts left to date

 

[wlmcrae]

Yoga is actually a hella resistance workout - a yoga instructor is usually CUT and looks like an anatomical model for perfect muscle tone.

 

[jenscats5]

I would recommend to keep the lifting - but as Sassy said, change HOW you lift.....just use diff. methods.....

Studies have shown that older women to lift weights are WAY LESS likely to break a bone when they fall down the stairs then women who don't.....

And if you're not taking glucosamine/chondroiten/msm - then start....helps my joints tremendously....And think about getting a 1x a month massage to help with pain/soreness issues.....

And I dunno about Madonna - but Demi has spent $50,000 on plastic surgery (or so I've read, whether to believe it....eh!)......

 

[blueta2]

I would recommend to keep the lifting - but as Sassy said, change HOW you lift.....just use diff. methods.....

Studies have shown that older women to lift weights are WAY LESS likely to break a bone when they fall down the stairs then women who don't.....

And if you're not taking glucosamine/chondroiten/msm - then start....helps my joints tremendously....And think about getting a 1x a month massage to help with pain/soreness issues.....

And I dunno about Madonna - but Demi has spent $50,000 on plastic surgery (or so I've read, whether to believe it....eh!)......

Hi Jen...thanks for the input. I will start glucosamine this week. I may start MSM also.
I will try to adjust my work outs with less weights and maybe add more exercises.
My massage therapist is my amazing boyfriend who always takes care of that.

 

[Sassy69]

I"ve been loading MSM since 2000 - I swear by it.

 

[jenscats5]

Hi Jen...thanks for the input. I will start glucosamine this week. I may start MSM also.
I will try to adjust my work outs with less weights and maybe add more exercises.
My massage therapist is my amazing boyfriend who always takes care of that.

Ohhh good for you!


Sass - good stuff!! I really notice it when I fortget to take it......

 

[T-Cake]

I'm with the other ladies here -- do not give up on weight lifting. Here's things I want to add or echo:

1. I TOTALLY agree about glucosamine MSM! I noticed major differences in my knees when I stopped running and started taking 2 tablets a day of my MSM. No more knee problems and my lifts in my legs were much sturdier.

2. An option to piggyback what the others have said is to lift lighter weights and use more reps. This will alleviate the strain on your joints but still exhaust the muscles.

3. Whatever you do, don't get rid of muscle training altogether. I know that the short stints where I have not been able to train (joint problems or injuries or post-surgery) have really been hard on my body. My energy dropped, I held water more easily, etc. I just felt lousy. I think once you get back in to it, you'll feel a ton better and more reassured that it's something your body craves and benefits from.

 

[The Shadow]

Madonna and Demi neglect to mention the personal chefs and or plastic surgeries they have to keep them looking the way they do. I also highly doubt either of them lifted over a 20 lbs dumbell in there life which makes there statements even more crazy. There is a lady I know just turned 50 doesn't even look 40 and she lifts a lot still competes in BB. If your body is taking a beating the sure makes sense to lower the weight but to stop completely not a good idea at all IMHO

EXACTLY WHAT SHE SAID


WELL DONE!!

 

[blueta2]

Well I guess I am going on MSM and will continue to lift. I mean I love lifting and I feel awesome when I do, I just hope my old body doesn't get too stressed from years of this.
I guess a little of everything (lifting, yoga etc) can't hurt!
Thanks all for your input....I have a different persepctive today