If you’re finally thinking about fitness over 50, it’s because you’re over 50 and in need of getting fit. Or you’re approaching 50 and you’re feeling like, aw, hell nah. Or you’re like me and decided that, well, I’m over 50 and I guess my body feels and looks like this now. Until…
You had an awakening. For me, it took the death of my mother to really start thinking about my own mortality and how I wasn’t ready to even think about approaching the end. Luckily, there are so many resources and inspiration out there that we do not have to go gently into that good night!
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Good Reading for Fitness over 50
Some of the books I’m reading right now include the following:
Outlive by Peter Attia, MD with Bill Gifford
Younger Next Year by Chris Crowley, Henry S. Lodge M.D. with Allan J. Hamilton MD
Love Your Age: The Small-Step Solution to a Better, Longer, Happier Life by Barbara Grufferman
Spring Chicken by Bill Gifford
You might sense a theme. But the theme is really this. There’s lifespan and there’s healthspan. Living longer doesn’t mean much unless your quality of life is good. And if I were looking for a lightning bolt to strike me down and tell me what I need to do to improve my quality of life, consider me struck.
Everything I’ve been seeing and reading lately boils down to two primary things: eat more protein and start strength training.
Feeling too old? Too overwhelmed? Too out of shape? It’s not impossible and I found inspiration, like REAL LIFE INSPIRATION, in the unlikeliest place: Instagram.
Social media is definitely aspirational but these fitness gurus are some of the best to inspire me and let me know that change is slow but possible. Hope you feel inspired by some of these as well.
Fitness Over 50 Influencers on Instagram
Denise Kirtley – @fiftyfitnessjourney
What I love about Denise is she gives me hope that I’ll see my waistline again. And her handle aligns almost exactly with the “fitness over 50” genre I’m looking for. She’s practically the same age as me with the same starting waistline as me. And today, she’s focused on fitness, lifting, and macros as she’s “on a mission to redefine what aging looks like.”
Dala McDevitt – @dalalovesdumbbells
Dala is a fitness coach and nurse. At first glance, with her cropped blond hair and tattooed arms, she looks like a super fitness freak (you know the types). Instead, she’s a down-to-earth, approachable fitness instructor who gives tips for form and technique and shares what she learns along the way. What makes her even more badass is that she’s been strength training through her first pregnancy and she’s just as strong as ever!
Julia Linn – @dolphinine
Julia was a Type 1 diabetic as a child and faced a double organ transplant in her 30s. By the time she reached 61, she realized she needed to make a change. her ultimate goal was optimal health, not weight loss but by the time she reached 66, she was competing in bodybuilding competitions. My favorite thing about Julie is how she refers to her followers as “Queenagers.”
This Phoenix Rising – @this.phoenix.rising
No name given so let’s call her Phoenix. Phoenix is a regular businesswoman in her 40s who got caught up in life and found comfort in food and inactivity all with the excuse of stress. In 2020, she decided to prioritize herself and now share her before/after photos to inspire others. Having just turned 50, she now participates in World Beauty Fitness and Fashion competitions.
Joan MacDonald – @trainwithjoan
Whenever you start to feel too old to change, take a peak at Joan at 75 years young. Five years ago, she was facing a myriad of problems when her daughter (fitness influencer Michelle MacDonald @yourhealthyhedonista) told her to make a choice. She chose to take control of her life, health, and fitness and now inspires women everywhere (including Paulina Porizkova!).
Ilene Block – @silverandstrong
Ilene is yet another 50+ woman who decided that she needed to take control of her life. At 61, she started on her fitness journey and is now three years in and looking fabulous.
Bishoi Kella – @bishoikella
Before and after pictures are always motivating but Bishoi gives you the straight dope as well. He’s not gonna tell you to believe in yourself. He’s going to tell you if you want it, you have to put in the work.
Michael Israetel – @drmikeisraetel
Dr. Mike, who has a PhD in Sports Physiology is the co-founder of Renaissance Periodization. To be fair, I don’t really follow Dr. Mike on Instagram because I prefer his no BS style on his YouTube channel. He doesn’t give off the “over 50 woman” vibes but he does know his stuff and I’ve been following his program. It’s a great place to start if you have no clue where or how to even begin on your journey.
Hopefully, I’ve given you a few people to check out and see if they push your inspiration buttons if you’re also looking to embrace fitness over 50.. If you’re over 40, over 50, over 60, over 70, there’s someone out there to inspire you. It’s never too late to live your best life!
