Having to back off on intensity (at least for now)

[Sara1000]

I just got through reading the thread about the importance of muscle mass - I am always working on this - but lately I keep pushing myself and then end up with a strain or sore knee etc.

I'll back way off on size of weights (for upper) and amount of impact and try to work back up gradually but I keep ending up sore somewhere and not in a good way.

Can it be true that age catches up with us even if we've always exercised? I just turned 70

[bee1forfitness]

No I don't think so Ernestine Shepherd is a good example of that, she 77 and had great muscle definition and strength. She says she works out most days plus she also teaches fitness classes, and trains for competitions. Jack LaLane is another good example worked out and had great muscle strength and definition almost till the very end and he was 94. As Tony Horton says "do what you can and forget the rest". Do workouts that challenge you, but don't cause you pain or may injury you...but don't give up because of age

[Lucky Star]

She sure is inspirational but truthfully we can't all be Ernestine Shepherd.
I think quite often our joints catch up and we do need to realize our limitations. Not to say we can't continue to make huge strides; we might just need to approach fitness in different ways.

[Susan]

Originally Posted by Lucky Star

She sure is inspirational but truthfully we can't all be Ernestine Shepherd.
I think quite often our joints catch up and we do need to realize our limitations. Not to say we can't continue to make huge strides; we might just need to approach fitness in different ways.

I agree.

While I find her amazing and inspirational, I'm not at all convinced that the average woman -- or even a woman who has been active and fit throughout her life -- should feel that she should necessarily be able to (or even want to) achieve the same results as Ernestine.

I think recognizing our limitations may be more important to our health and overall well-being than never slowing down a bit when our bodies demand it.

Many of us don't want to face the fact that as we get older, we can't always do the same things at the same pace we did when we were younger, but in reality, there's no shame in that.

[Sara1000]

Thanks everyone. You have written wise words.

Jack LaLane has always been my inspiration but I am not Jack - I will be more cautious as my sore spots heal and I build back up - maybe heavy weights to failure is not going to work for me right now or maybe not ever again - maybe I will stick to more endurance type workouts for upper body - I have faced that I'm never going to have great muscle definition but my general body shape is outstanding for my age and I am pretty strong.

I'm going to stick to Low Impact Hiit and other Cathe low impact workouts, or do her higher ones but modify like crazy. And walking, including as many steep hills as I can find - there are a couple a block or two from my house and a spectacular one a few miles away at a free park. And in between lots of Leslie walks.

I am not giving up, just shifting my approach.

Other thoughts are welcome!

[Lucky Star]

Originally Posted by Sara1000

I'm going to stick to Low Impact Hiit and other Cathe low impact workouts, or do her higher ones but modify like crazy. And walking, including as many steep hills as I can find - there are a couple a block or two from my house and a spectacular one a few miles away at a free park. And in between lots of Leslie walks.

Wow - imagine how fantastically fit humanity could be if we could all do low impact HIIT and Cathe at 70yo!
Okay now you're officially *my* inspiration!

[Sophie]

Originally Posted by Sara1000

I'm going to stick to Low Impact Hiit and other Cathe low impact workouts, or do her higher ones but modify like crazy.
SNIP
I am not giving up, just shifting my approach.

I have absolutely nothing to say to a 70 year old woman downscaling to low impact Cathe workouts other than

I am not worthy

and I wanna be you in 20 years.

Seriously. All others have said wise things about scaling back, and respecting the changes that come with the ageing process while staying active. And I agree, and am still impressed - your workouts AND your attitude.

[Sarah-lara]

Originally Posted by Sara1000

Can it be true that age catches up with us even if we've always exercised? I just turned 70

NROL for Life seems to suggest this. I've been a bag full of injuries this year myself. Sorry to hear you are going through something similar, but the best thing (you already know it) is to keep trying as much as you can, as wisely as you know how.

[Sue B]

Originally Posted by Sarah-lara

NROL for Life seems to suggest this. I've been a bag full of injuries this year myself. Sorry to hear you are going through something similar, but the best thing (you already know it) is to keep trying as much as you can, as wisely as you know how.

I think this is the best NROL book, in terms of useful information and readability. I like how it doesn't treat older people like preschoolers, but lays it out about the inevitability of the body's decline.

One thing about Jack and Ernestine is that they were into working out for most of their adult lives. It's never too late to start, but if you start too late, maybe there's only so far you can go.

(Another interesting fact about Jack: his brother, Norman, a golfer, lived to be 97, a year older than Jack!)

[Vintage VFer]

The other day I realized that I'll just have to get rid of my workouts that are too difficult for me, or cause that BAD kind of soreness. Ones that have too much impact, or twisty pivot moves. It's kind of sad, because they are good workouts and I enjoyed doing them.

To be honest, I don't usually find these "elderly super-athlete" stories that helpful. As inspiring as they may be, I just figure that they are genetic freaks.