Don’t believe you can get fit over 40? This week I’m sharing my own personal fitness transformation story in hopes that it will help you see that change is available to you. Trust me, if I can do it, so can you.
I was going through some old pictures this morning and I came across this (very blurry) image of myself at 19. I weighed about 208 Lbs at the time and I was in a pretty miserable place emotionally, too.
I had dropped out of high school, I was bartending at a seedy roadhouse, and I was dating really big losers.
I’m not sure if my weight problem was a symptom of my lack of confidence and self-esteem or the other way around, but somehow I had the self-awareness at the age of 19 to know that I needed to change course.
Now, you might think that transformations are easy when your 19, but not when you’re in your 40s or older. But the funny thing about transformations is that they never stop happening.
I did drop 80 Lbs after that first photo below was taken and I kept it off for the next 25 years, but my transformation was far from over.
The next image illustrates the transformation I made at 41, right after a carb-indulgent trip to Italy where I ate 392 pizzas (and loved every single one of them).
My first Fit Over 40 Transformation
The next transformations happened in my 40s and there’s another one underway right now. I fully intend to enter my 50s with a leaner, more muscular physique than I have right now.
The Fitness Transformation Process Never Ends
This is critical to understand for two reasons:
- The journey doesn’t end when you reach your goal weight. Once you get there, you have to maintain the habits that got you to your goal or it you’ll gain it all back.
- You won’t always be in killer shape. I think this collage illustrates that leanness is fleeting. Sometimes we’re carrying a bit more weight than we want to, but that doesn’t mean it’s game over. Life happens. You just refocus and get right back on track.
So if you’re feeling a little down on yourself because you’re getting older and you’ve put on a few pounds, don’t sweat it. You’re in what Seth Godin calls “the dip” and the great part is that an amazing transformation is just around the corner (if you’re willing to commit to it!).
Why most women give up on weight loss and getting fit over 40
You might be thinking – “oh, that’s great for you Caren, but that would never work for me because_________ (<- enter random excuse here). I don’t mean to sound like I don’t have compassion for your situation (because I do), but the truth is, as long as you have control over what goes past your lips, you have control of your weight. As long as you have a body that moves, you can improve your fitness level.
The rest is just choices.
Women over 40 are busy. They typically have families of their own, aging parents, careers and a ton of other commitments that keep them running around the clock. However, there is always 20 minutes a day to squeeze in a workout. There’s always an option to choose vegetables over sweets. It’s just a matter of planning your food and a commitment to staying consistent with your choices (and I can help you with both).
Ready to start your own Fit over transformation?
Here are a few more resources to get you started. However, if this story resonates with you, consider working with me. I can help you get from where you are now, to where you want to go.
- The single most important life-changing thing you can do to get lean (or accomplish any goal).
- Crushing Limiting beliefs about getting fit over 40.
- The magic of changing slow.
- Your Internal Narrative Determines Who You Are – Create Your Story With Care.
- Link to this week’s podcast on fitness transformations at any age.
Caren is a certified yoga teacher, fitness instructor and author of The Fit Habit. Here she shares simple, low carb recipes, quick home workout ideas and practical ways to foster mind + body wellness.
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