Last Visit: Jan 5, 2009 12:22pm Last Forum Post: Nov 18, 2008 9:20pm Last Photo Upload: Nov 6, 2008 3:04pm Last Profile Update: Nov 20, 2008 8:27am Last Blog Post: Dec 12, 2008 10:12am
"I was an amateur bodybuilder in my 30s and now, after a break of 20 years, I want to be a fit & healthy 50+ woman by losing fat and putting on muscle with bodybuilding."
Personal Info And Background:
Real Name:
Sue
Sex:
Female
Age:
53
Location:
Iowa, United States
Occupation:
got to retire early (lucky me!)
Personal Website:
Gym:
my basement
Gym Location:
down the stairs
When I Started:
1986
How I Started:
I always loved hanging in the gym but girls were not welcome for many years. It wasn't until the 1980s I had a chance to lift "real" weights and loved it!
Why I Love It:
It fits my personality like no other sport. Only you can take responsibility for your progress and you get to do it at your own pace instead of being in a sport that has winners & losers (like tennis, baseball, etc).
How I Stay Motivated:
All I have to do is look at my starting photo to remember how crummy I felt with all that middle-age spread and low energy levels to keep me motivated to go back to my weights. I really want a chance to have the body I worked so hard for in my 30s.
BB Accomplishments:
I competed in 2 contests: 1988 Tri-Cities Class (Richmond,VA) where I placed 2nd in the Womens Tall Division and 1989 Neptune Classic (Virginia Beach, VA) where I placed 3rd in the Womens Tall Division.
Forum Signature:
When I was your age, Pluto was a planet!
Last Updated: Oct 25, 2008 9:27pm
Progress Pictures
Jan 13, 2008
Nov 14, 2008
This was the photo that made me realize how I had gotten fat and unfit. I had try on dresses for a wedding and nothing fit! It was awful to think I weighed at 160 lbs, all flab! I started dieting the very next day!
Used my phone for the photo so quality is not the best. Wanted a "before" photo of when I joined my new gym.
I was an amateur bodybuilder in my 30s and now, after a break of 20 years, I want to be a fit & healthy 50+ woman by losing fat and putting on muscle with bodybuilding.
Goal (Long):
I was really into BB in the 1980s. Worked out 6 days a week and even had a chance to compete in 2 contests. Then marriage and 3 children came along. I could have still worked out some but after working a full-time job all day then coming home to the housework and children was too time consuming for me. I stayed active but slowly became more out-of-shape. Then, whamo, menopause hit like a ton of bricks and the fat just popped out all over me. Yuck! I got depressed and just thought I was stuck with it.
It wasn't until I saw the photo I posted here of me trying on dresses for my daughter's wedding that I told myself that I had enough of that crap! I started dieting the next day. After losing about 15 pounds, I joined our local community health center. They aren't a complete gym but it is better than nothing. I kept losing weight but most importantly, I started building muscle. Enough muscle that I found myself thinking of doing the BB thing again. So here I am, age 53 and seriously planning on doing one more contest. I know that with a good plan of action I can make my goal in about 18 months to two years.
BTW, I have chronic lymphocytic leukemia, diagnosed 6 years ago. No chemo so far (cross your fingers) which gives me hope for several more good years. Average life expectancy is 6-10 years after diagnosis so I've done pretty good considering. I would dearly love to compete one more time before I really get sick, just to prove to the docs that it can be done.
I still can't get to my home gym in the basement so I found some exercise bands to use instead. It feels really good after sitting on my behind for a week to be moving around and using some muscle groups! :) I still can't stand for very long without pain but I can do a few exercises than rest....
Here is my "training wheels" workout program. I am picking out 3 workouts per body part (except for legs) using a warm-up set, then 3 sets going to failure with increasing weight. Will be working abs everyday!
Hi Sue, happy new year. Your new (November) photos look great. Keep up the good work, and setting a great example :-)
Just returned back from Argentina and Uruguay for the holidays. No working out but did tons of walking and a few jogs, so didn't put on any weight.
Ken
from your pic you could pass as a very fit 30 year old-you remind me of the movie coming out where the guy was born old and as he ages he becomes younger
My thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery, I guess focus on dieting!!! The injury thing can be challenging, I think of it as - I have the rest of my life to lift, so a 5 week "rest" is not the end of the world, even though it's tough. Stay positive!!! clc.
Hello; How are you doing today? I hope that everything is going great. I had a great workout yesterday and am looking forward to toasting my legs today.
Good morning my beautiful friend! I know its hell time at your home this week with the holidays coming! I just wanted to stop in and say hello to my favorite 50 year old bodybuilder who doesn't look a year over 30! :) Hve a great week my friend!
