I was at the Doctors the other day when she asked me what I do as far as exercise. I told her that I walk, run and lift. She immediately asked if I was a bodybuilder. I paused and pondered... "no" I said, I just lift weights. So on the way home I thought about her question. When she asked if I was a body builder, I instantly thought of those steroid man looking women; so of course my answer was no. But once I started to think about it I thought that perhaps I am.
Knowing that our bodies lose muscle mass as we age; I am most definitely building my body so that I don't suffer from the effects quite as drastically. Yes I am a body builder is what my answer should have been; but I also don't want people thinking that I am in the gym to look like those man/women.
Why do I care? Because I'm not in the gym for a fashion statement; although my daughter has me decked out pretty snazzy via Reebok. I am not there to get huge muscles nor there to compete with or look like a man. I am at the gym to stay strong and try to reverse the effects of aging. At 53 and a recent Grandma of 2 gorgeous little men; I am proud to say that Grandma lifts. If you don't work your muscles to keep them strong and flexible then you will lose them and end up being a feeble old person at the an age that you should not be feeble. I have met many people younger than myself who are feeble. I have met people who think that dieting, losing weight and being skinny is what it's all about. But asked to do something strenuous and they fail drastically.
Just imagine how much harder it is to do anything when you have little to no muscle? Your muscles ache when asked to do even the smallest of movements and your joints suffer under the pressure with no muscle to protect them. It happens to all of us and you can either shrug your shoulders and say "I can't." Or you can say "hell yes I can," and get moving. Starting with very small weights and low repetitions, anyone who is not seriously ill can start to lift.
So, the other day at the Doctors, I should have replied yes; when asked if I was a bodybuilder. But the whole image of what many think of lifting weights got in the way.
