Is it too late to get in shape if you’re a women in your late 50s?

A question we often get asked by our local clients in Epping is: it ever too late to get in shape?

More specifically: Is it too late to get in shape if you are a woman in your late 50s?

Let’s take Barbara as an example: Barbara is 57 and claims to have zero shape.

She wants to get some definition in her body.

So is it ever too late? And what should Barbara focus on to get results?

Create a habit before you worry about what exercise to do.

Focus on creating a habit first. Especially if you don’t already have an exercise habit.

It’s never too late to get into shape. It can be done at any age but to get started – as in the next 10 minutes – it’s important to think of things that you enjoy.

Once you link enjoyment to activity that starts to drive the habit. An easy win could be to listen to a favorite podcast or radio show when you exercise.

Put your headphones in, then go out for a walk for five or ten minutes.

Aim to make that a regular pattern. It will soon become a regular habit and something to look forward to.

It’s similar to how Mary Poppins got the original Banks children to take their medicine and tidy their room!

Once you’ve got that established you can build and make it bigger and longer and maybe more intense but always start with trying to get into the habit of moving more and enjoying it, even looking forward to that part of the day.

The secret to success

Our most successful clients, who have achieved the results they want in this particular age bracket, are women who’ve perhaps found a class that they can do regularly or have a routine that they only deviate from in exceptional circumstances.

We’d define success as achieving their goals of creating a regular movement habit or feeling in a happier place with their body. Goals for woman in their late 50s to 70s often centre around being able to take active holidays, have fun with their grandchildren or be the inspiration to their less fit friends. Sometimes success is recovery from illness, managing back pain or losing weight.

Make it sociable

Once a habit is formed or a friendly class is found, there are often people there you start to get to know. It’s sociable and you get accountability. You start to feel like you’re part of a group. It’s another thing you look forward to.

Of course it doesn’t need to be an exercise class. It could be something like open water swimming or rambling but it’s something that creates a sense of consistency. Over time it’s the consistency that will start to change the shape of your body. You’ll feel stronger and more confident.

Once the habit is there, you can add the more specific exercises to begin building shape and tone. You can also add specific exercises for your goals or conditions.

Avoid fads

In our experience people are often too quick to jump into fads. This is typically why they fail. They see all the different ways to get fit or that their friends are apparently getting fit with and they might seem like the easy option. Actually there’s no secret to it. Success comes from slow, small, consistent steps but most importantly you need to look forward to it so you can make it a long-term habit.

Stick with it for six-weeks

Whatever you decide to do today, stick with it for at least six-weeks make that commitment to yourself. Do this and we promise you’ll begin to see a change after that six-weeks.

Want to know more?

Check out our YouTube playlist on exercise and brain health.

Or get in touch via email with the subject ‘Exercise for brains’ and let us know how we can help. EMAIL US at info@fit-school.co.uk

More posts like this:

6 Ways Every Woman Over 40 Needs to Work Out

Over 50 or Close How to Prevent a Saggy Bottom

61 Reasons to Exercise

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