Nancy's getting fit at 53 journey

[Dolly Dagger]

Although I could write a book, in the interest of not boring I'll be brief. I'm Nancy, a 53 year-old married mother of one, healthcare I.T. project manager. Before I got pregnant 20 years ago, I was heavily into bodybuilding, working out 2 hours 6 days a week, and preparing for a contest. After my pregnancy I lost the weight but never really got back into fitness. After I turned 40 the weight started piling on and now here I am.

Three months ago my mother died. Although the cause was infection and bleeding from a botched hysterectomy, I firmly believe she would have fared better if she hadn't given in to the twin evils of inactivity and bad diet long before. When I vowed to make permanent changes this year I took some pictures and when I looked at them I saw my mother's body. This is some scary shit, people. I want to go into my older years and eventual retirement fit and feeling great, not limping through each day with a potential heart attack or stroke lurking in my future.

So here are my stats and goals:

Height 5'10"
Weight 244 lbs.
BF 51.5% (using an online calculator)
Chest 40.5"
Waist 43.5"
Hips 50.5"
Rt. Thigh 30.5"
Rt. Calf 19"
Rt. Biceps 15"

In the next six months I will
- finish all NROL4W stages
- lose at least 40 lbs.
- reduce BF% to at least 30%
- be able to do at least ten standard pushups
- be able to squat at least 95 lbs. for reps

I've been doing Weights Watchers for the last three months and have lost 20 lbs (yes, I was fatter than this ). I want to continue going because I like the accountability of a weekly weigh-in and the meetings are useful. The Core plan is very NROL friendly and I think I can use it to make my macros and calories.

Ok, now the part you all were waiting for...the pictures. I'll be taking new one every months and will post them along with the stats.

[L'ilJ]

Hi Nancy! Welcome to the board. Good luck to you in the challenge!

[mel]

Hi Nancy! It looks like you have one of the most motivating goals possible....health. I think such a focus will keep you determined to succeed, and you will make it. Best of luck to you over the next six months!

mel

[kfisherx]

Welcome Nancy and best of luck to you. I am so looking forward to watching you and the others get fit!

[Mahler]

Hello, Nancy.
Welcome aboard!
I started out at 52 and will soon be 59. I am in the best shape of my life with more energy and strength than I ever thought possible. I applaud you for your goals and wish you well on the journey.

[vanessa40]

Hi Nancy...
Good Luck

[Dolly Dagger]

Spent yesterday and today getting ready geared up for the challenge. Yesterday was grocery shopping and printing training logs (thanks, Aoife!). I've gotten out of the protein mindset and needed to stock up on chicken breast, eggs, shrimp, salmon, etc.

Today is cooking. I'm hardboiling eggs, poaching chicken breast and cooking a big batch of brown rice. I figured my calories based on the formulas in the book...1910 on non-workout days and 2230 on workout days. I'll stick to that for a week and see how it plays out. Somehow I think that's how much I eat now and still lose 1-2 lbs. but I've been doing the WW Core plan which doesn't count calories.

Tomorrow is stage 1, workout A. I've been down with cold since Thursday but hopefully I'll be well enough tomorrow to workout.

[stingo]

Good preparation there - that's the kind of looking ahead that helps to ensure progress. Good luck with the challenge.

[pattys53]

Hi Nancy,I'm glad to see someone else in the challenge that is close to the same age that I am. I am 54,and the same thing happened to me after I turned 40. I have steadily gained my weight. I use to always be on the thin side, I was always very active,but somewhere along the line, I slowed down and stopped working out so much. It also does not help that I work in a bakery...to much temptation around.

[vanessa40]

Hi Nancy..
Just checking in..
Hope you are having a great Day 1

[Dolly Dagger]

Originally Posted by pattys53

Hi Nancy,I'm glad to see someone else in the challenge that is close to the same age that I am. I am 54,and the same thing happened to me after I turned 40. I have steadily gained my weight. I use to always be on the thin side, I was always very active,but somewhere along the line, I slowed down and stopped working out so much. It also does not help that I work in a bakery...to much temptation around.

Welcome fellow boomer! Yikes, I don't envy you, working in a bakery. How are you handling that? I hope you're taking your food with you so you have something to eat when temptation strikes. Good luck on your challenge.

[dillytl]

Hi Nancy! How was day 1?? Is your cold better?

[Dolly Dagger]

What a tough day. Not just the workout, although that was tough I got through it. Not the food which I had a handle on today. But work was a bitch. One meeting after another, running from pillar to post. I missed my afternoon meal and had to eat it when I got home at 6 pm. Not good.

Today was Stage 1, workout A.

Squats 2x15, 25#
Pushups, 2x15, 60 degree angle
Seated row, 2x15, 30#
Step-up, 1x15 on a step bench with a riser (not high enough)
Step-up, 1x10 on the stairs, 2 step height
Prone jackknife, 1x5, 1x10

The jackknifes were a major problem. Balancing on the ball was a trick and I can see how much work I have to get some core strength and balance. I also screwed up the rep count. I thought I had to get 15 but it was only 8. Now that I've done it I'm sure I'll do better next time.

[riverbender]

Glad I'm not the only one who got the jackknife reps backwards!

I've been doing the eat every 3 hours things since June. This was one of the toughest adjustments for me. Sometimes I'll be with a customer and simply can't stop to eat.

I just try to limit the number of times that happens by eating around potential problems or delays. If I've got to be with a client near a meal time I'll eat early if I think there's a chance I may end up having to eat late.

Sorry about your mom

[Dolly Dagger]

Thanks, RB.

I've always eaten five meals a day so it's not a problem. My job has become a bear lately and sometimes I plan a meal and don't get to eat it because I'm just too busy or not in a place where I can eat. That's what happened yesterday. I wound up at the end of the day not eating all my calories. My other mistake was not taking the post-workout shake. I normally don't workout in the morning. I did yesterday because I was so excited to start the program and I didn't eat before working out. I ate breakfast afterwards figuring that would be enough. Big mistake that won't happen again.

So anyway I figure it's all a learning process. I've got my food packed for today and a easier day at work. Tomorrow I'll workout after work and have a shake at the ready.

[UConnJulie]

I did 2x15 also on the jackknives!! Ah well ... we'll be stronger in the end, right!!??

I also applaud you on your health quest ... I have been on a health journey for the past 8 months and although it was frustrating at times, I feel better now than I have in a very long time!!!

Looking forward to getting to know you better ... happy challenging!!

Julie

[Dolly Dagger]

Today: Stage 1, Workout B

Deadlifts, 2x15, 25#
DB shoulder press, 2x15, 10#
Wide-grip lat pulldown, 2x15, 50#
Lunges, 2x15
Swissball crunches, 2x8, 5#

Lunges have always been my least favorite exercise, even when I was fit. I'm really surprised I did 2 sets of 15. I did do them next to a bench so I had something to put my hand on for balance. Core strength and balance are my weaknesses.

Food was pretty good even after making a midday adjustment from the meal I brought to the one provided at a lunch meeting. Lucky for me it was sammiches so I had a pile of turkey on a piece of whole grain bread and brought an apple. And I remembered the postworkout shake.

Let's see how sore I'm going to be tomorrow.