Changes in my body

[Angela Marie]

I’m 70 and just started weightlifting on a regular basis. I have lifted sporadically over the years but I wanted to insure that as I continue to age i will have the strength to lead an active life. I’ve been a runner all my life so I always had a slight build. My wife says I look better since I have become more muscular and toned. I know as I continue I will get bigger and, more muscular. Obviously I am not going to be competing in a Mr. Or Miss America contest. I don’t think this will detract from my feminine appearance. Have any others had the same experience or wish to offer their opinions.

[SophiaRose]

I agree that weight lifting is one of the best things we can do as we get older to avoid muscle loss (sarcopenia). In my personal experience, and research, in order to put on a significant amount of muscle I needed to eat an excess of calories and protein intake per meal had to be significant- to a point beyond that of a normal diet. A real nutritionist, or personal trainer, would be the best resource if you are worried about getting big and altering your goals of a feminine figure. When I trained for triathlons I ate like crazy, exercised like crazy, and weight lifted lots...never could gain muscle though being toned was welcome when it came to fitting into that little black dress! I bet you'll look even more amazing as time goes on.

[CharlotteCD]

It's REALLY difficult to get big in your 30s, let alone 70s.

It's the biggest mistake women make at the gym - thinking that touching a heavy weight will make them huge.

No, it takes months of discipline.

[kimdl93]

I have lifted weights consistently since high school, with only brief interruptions. For much of that time, I was trying to bulk up, and I had some success. I can certainly tell that as my T levels have declined (naturally) with age, my muscle mass and strength have substantially diminished. However, later in life (now 71) I instead lift for muscle tone and stamina. Reps rather than max. Given my physical stature, diminished though it is, maintaining a feminine body is not realistic.

[BrendaPDX]

I believe in toning my body, I am not into straight weight lifting, I work on endurance. That said I do calisthenics push ups, situps and, elliptical and fast paced walking.

[Kris Burton]

Until I began to CD actively exercise was never a focus. Since, it is part of my daily routine. It's a wonderful motivator!

[danniUK]

Exactly the same for me, Kris.
I've never had any interest whatsoever in exercise (I've been lucky enough to have the metabolism or whatever that means I'm generally quite slim regardless of diet).
Having decided I want a perfectly flat tummy so I can get a belly piercing though, I'm Little Miss Situps now!

[Genifer Teal]

When I started lifting weights back in my twenties, the first thing that happened, I lost ten pounds. I panicked and stopped and never did it again. Lol fortunately, it took twenty five years to gain that ten pounds back without trying to keep it off. Now, in my fifties, I think the free ride is over. It's time to start working out.

[GretchenM]

Building muscle when you are an older male can be quite difficult because of changes in your hormones, especially testosterone, which begins to decline fairly early. There is a reason that happens - it can be dangerous to have high testosterone when older as it creates its own metabolic stresses, especially on the heart. And please don't take testosterone supplements after about 65 to 70 - it can kill you. There is a reason T declines in aging - so you don't die young.

However, that is not a reason to quit focused exercise programs like weight lifting, stretching, and building flexibility; just remember you can overdo it. A major value of exercise when older is the same in men and women - to build muscle tone rather than muscle mass. You can think of it this way. Women can be very strong and yet not have a great deal of muscle mass increase. Their increase in strength lies in their muscle tone which can be thought of as make the most of whatever you have rather than building more of that which can change the shape of your body. Women ballet dancers are one of the best examples. They sometimes exercise more than they sleep. They need to because the movements they make require lean and mean muscles. Yet you don't see the muscles; Some look skinny as a rail. But they can seemingly crack walnuts between their knees. It is all muscle tone. And the shape of their bodies are incredibly feminine. Maybe a hint for us who are older CD's who maybe need more muscle tone than muscle mass? Muscle tone also increases gracefulness of your motion. Ballet dancers are proof of that.

[CharlotteCD]

Just want to share something medical because muscle tone is a thing, but it's not what 90% of people think it is.

It's the same as the "if I do sit-ups I'll have a flat stomach despite being 30% bodyfat" approach. The "I can spot reduce fat" approach.


https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/why-muscle-toning-is-a-myth.h00-159464001.html

[Genifer Teal]

The TLDR of that article, which says there is no such thing as toning, goes on to say, toning is more repetitions with less weight. So there is such a thing as toning. lol it also goes on to say women don't have to worry about bulking up because it won't happen without testosterone. Not sure where that leaves us. Just remember lighter weights more repetitions = less bulk.

[Stephj]

I recently turned 60 I am 5ft3in weight 160 from my teens threw my fifties I did bodybuilding and powerlifting I did powerlifting competitions I had a bench press of 405 deadlift 620 squat 700 my numbers or decreasing. Now days I focus on on push ups pull ups and general exercises i do 100 reps per exercise and for cardio I jump rope four days a week 1000-1200. Now days I am just trying to stay active as my testosterone is decreasing and I tire out faster

[CharlotteCD]

The TLDR of that article, which says there is no such thing as toning, goes on to say, toning is more repetitions with less weight. So there is such a thing as toning. lol it also goes on to say women don't have to worry about bulking up because it won't happen without testosterone. Not sure where that leaves us. Just remember lighter weights more repetitions = less bulk.

No, it's saying exactly what it says. Toning is a myth, and people just THINK that toning exists because of how hypertrophy responds differently based on different inputs. You're not TONING, you're training. It's not a specific thing.

What people THINK is toning is just lower bodyfat. That's got nothing to do with adding muscle. You can look more toned with zero added muscle.

[Philippa Jane]

As a regular at the gym I do a lot of weights (light) and cardio. I have lost a little weight but as the muscle builds so does the weight.
Fad diets don't work for me so I saw a nutritionists who now has me eating more and moving away from anything resembling a fad diet.
It has only been 10 days so nothing really to report yet.
In our first meeting she asked why I wanted to loose weight. Upright in loose clothes I don't look to heavy. I replied that I wanted clothes to fit me better and the tubby tummy was an issue.
It said on the doctors referral that I was a trans woman so no surprises for her there.

At 5 foot 10 and 90kg (198 lbs) I could do with loosing 10 kg.
It is near impossible to target fat loss without medical help but eating better could just help.
I really don't want big muscles anymore and the complete loss of testosterone wont let that happen.
As a last resort I would consider a tummy tuck and liposuction.

[Stephanie47]

I'm in my late 70's. My physician said "You're remarkably healthy for a man your age!" Now, that does not mean I do not have some minor medical issues, but they are under control. I have never been able to gain muscle mass. I think it is genetic. As to weight lifting, I think weight lifting to "tone" muscles is fine. Walking briskly over running. Pounding hard surfaces can be injurious to the muscle-skeletal system. I read a medical article decades ago about cardiac service recommending a person take up running, but before doing so, the patients were referred to physical exam. A significant number of patients had issues that negated the running recommendation. I think CD-ers are no different than a lot of women when it comes to "body shaming."

[candice_cain]

I started dressing in earnest 4 years ago.
I was 58 and almost 200lbs.
I wanted to look better in the clothes so I started to exercise and eat better.
I'm 62 now and weigh 155lbs.
Maybe it not the best reason to stay healthy and fit but it's mine.
I still watch what I eat and exercise 3 times a week.
You do what works for you and what makes you feel good.
I've always been a little feminine, I used to worry about it but now I cherish it.
Do what makes you happy, life is too short.