If you’ve been blaming your belly fat on age or slow metabolism, this article will show you that you can lose fat and build muscle at any age.
Most people believe that weight gain and loss of muscle is inevitable after 35 years. But as you see in the photos and stories below, you can be in the best shape of your life after 50.
Whether you’re a man or woman, don’t let growing old be an excuse to not look and feel good. Research shows that most of the physiological changes that come with old age can be avoided through exercise and proper nutrition.
The surprising thing is that most people give up exercise as they grow older. Don’t let that be you. Neglecting exercise will not only cause weight gain, it can increase the risk of diseases like stroke, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and so on.
Below are photos and stories about 10 men and women who look and feel better than most folks in their youth.
Fit Men and Women In Their 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s
Scooby Werkstatt at 54
Source: Scoobysworkshop.com
Scooby runs a popular fitness blog and youtube channel. But he hasn’t been fit all his life – Scooby was a lanky, clumsy kid who always got picked last for teams in PE class. But we can agree he’s far from that now.
He started exercising at age 21, which he says, helped boost his confidence and self-esteem. And he’s never looked back ever since.
For the last 30 years, Scooby has been lifting weights an hour a day, 5-6 times a week, all year. He takes at most one week break off strength training, once a year. Other than strength training he focuses on endurance events and sports.
Scooby’s Quote
There are shortcuts to looking fit but there are no shortcuts to being fit.
Wendy Ida at 64
Source: wendyida.com
She looks spectacular, doesn’t she? Wendy is an internationally recognized Best Selling Author, Speaker, Life Transformation and Fitness Expert.
Like many others, Wendy wasn’t always been in shape – she didn’t begin an exercise regimen until age 43. After she started exercising and eating healthy, she improved her health and lost 80 pounds, which she’s kept off ever since. And now she teaches others how to transform their bodies and live healthy lifestyles.
She also holds the female world record for the most burpees (37 in a minute). Wendy is a bodybuilder, and when preparing for a competition she lifts weights for 1-2 hours every day.
Wendy’s Quote
You need to take baby steps if you want to keep your body for a lifetime like I did.
Steve Maxwell at 63
Source: maxwellsc.com
Steve is a strength and conditioning coach who can still perform exercises like the pistol squats and one arm pushups – something most 20-year-olds can’t do.
He’s one of the pioneers of Jiu-Jitsu in the east coast of United States. And he was the first man to teach kettlebell classes in America.
Nowadays he travels the world teaching people, Jiu-Jitsu, kettlebell training, mobility and so on.
His top 3 fitness tips
Don’t overeat, eat light
Move your body every single day
Practice the art of gratitude because your body is a reflection of your inner mind
Jillian Michaels at 42
Source: jillianmichaels.com
Jillian is one of the world’s leading health and fitness experts. And if you’ve seen her workouts you can agree that she’s one of the fittest trainers.
Jillian usually goes to the gym 3 or 4 times a week, and she works out hard when she does. She doesn’t have a fixed routine but everything she does is a combination of resistance training and cardio. Her workouts revolve around kettlebell training, mixed martial arts, power yoga, and spinning classes.
Jillian’s Quote
If you’ve been blaming your belly fat on the fact that you’re growing older, now’s the time to stop believing that weight gain is an inevitable part of aging!
Mark Sisson at 62
Mark is one of the pioneers of the paleo, and he has a very active online community of folks who want to eat and exercise like our ancestors.
Mark eats a lot of veggies, fruits, and meat – he stays away from grains and processed foods. He does strength training 2-3 times a week.
Mark’s Quote
You can get healthy and fit on two hours a week of walking around, one mini-strength training workout a week lasting less than 10 minutes, one complete strength training workout lasting 30 minutes, and a sprint session every 7 to 10 days with perhaps 10 minutes of hard work.
Ernestine Shepherd at 77
Source: ernestineshepherd.net
When I first saw her I couldn’t believe she was in her late 70s. She’s definitely in better shape than most people, decades her junior. The interesting thing is she was living a sedentary lifestyle until age 56. And she admits that she feels better now than she did in her 40s.
She holds the Guinness record for world’s oldest performing female bodybuilder. Ernestine wakes up at 3 a.m. every morning and spends her day, running, lifting weights and working out.
Ernestine’s Quote
Once you start exercising, honey, it’s a whole new ball game
Frank Zane at 64
Source: frankzane.com
Frank is one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time, and 3 times Mr. Olympia. And his physique has barely changed since his competitive years.
Frank says he still trains hard, but less frequently. He trains for 3 days in a raw then rests for 2 days and does about 1 hour of cardio a week.
Frank never eats more than 2000 calories a day.
Frank’s Quote
All the research shows that if you want to live longer, you eat less
Felicia Dixon at 47
Source: bodybuilding.com
Felicia is a busy mom but still finds time to work out. She doesn’t have time for a one-hour workout, so she works out for 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the evening. She works out at home with free weights, exercise Pilates bands, and heavy workout bands
Felicia says that reducing her portion made a huge difference in her fitness goals.
Felicia’s Quote
Don’t allow age to determine your success
Tony Horton at 57
Source: tonyhortonlife.com
Tony is a very entertaining guy – you’ll like him when you watch his youtube videos. Oh…and he’s the creator of the popular P90X program.
Tony believes that real and lasting change can happen when we to commit to health as a lifestyle.
Tony’s Quote
Exercise, whole foods, and the right mindset is the formula that leads to a vibrant, productive and full life for anyone who focuses on being the best they can be.
Maxine Johnson at 55
Source: bodybuilding.com
Maxine is a figure competitor who changed her lifestyle and got fit at 36. And she did it all while raising her 3 kids.
Maxine had always believed that she couldn’t have a slim body and her butt was too round to look good. But it was all in her head.
She started with 2 workouts a week and now she exercises 4 times a week. She eats balanced meals with all 3 macronutrients.
Maxine’s Quote
It is possible to reshape your body and be in the best health of your life through strength training no matter how old you are!
Final Word
These are just a few of the people who have been able to stay in shape as they grow older. And I don’t see why you and I can’t do the same thing.
As I did research for this article I came across a lot of stories of people who have defied the common beliefs about aging. Folks like, Ida Keeling who still runs at 100 years. And all these people have a few things in common – they do strength training, eat less and do some cardio.
Don’t let growing old stop you from getting in shape – you can transform your body at any age. You just need to get started and stay consistent.
I hope these people have inspired you to improve your body and health. If you have any question leave a comment below.
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