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I relate to that,I didn't know a 60+ could get muscel tone but I have after 2.5 months of working out.I change up every other day (my work-outs)and work on all the muscel groups,I'm likeing what I'm seeing.
keep on keeping on and have fun.
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Highnoon,
I so identify with what you wrote!! Who's going to tote the birdseed, shovel, dig, and even the household stuff if the muscles go?? I was getting pretty pathetic at lifting--thank goodness for SparkPeople!
Karen
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My hope is to be stronger, toned would be just wonderful, but I'm down with just being stronger. It will help me with all my daily chores. If I lose strength now how will I get my work done as I age. lol.
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I'm sorry about that last email. I accidently hit something and I think it was sent before I was finished. Anyway, I noticed you have "Aloha" in your user name. Do you have a connection to Hawaii? We lived there for 20 years and loved it! Can't wait to get back, even for a visit. 
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AUNT_BEE_1945
3/3/06 5:58 P
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I have about 58 % body fat so it will take a while before I see mush muscle. Mainly because I have not really gotten into exercising.. I will start then the next day I stop.
No fun doing it alone.
Aunt Bee
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I'm 51. I haven't been doing any serious weight workouts -- jus the SP stuff and a few stretch band exercies. Anyhow, I was shocked the other morning to notice that since starting SparkPeople I've got some muscle definition in my upper arms!
Don't get me wrong; I'm in no danger of being mistaken for Vin Diesel. But it's nice to see cosmetic results along with the health benefits.
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I think the biggest challenge is the pain factor. If you have any of the maladies of older people, it makes it tougher to up the weight you're lifting and more weight is crucial to building muscle. arthritis and old joint injuries make it a real challenge some days to "go for the burn" that means you're breaking the muscle down so it can rebuild. So keeping in the thread of the original post, yes, it's harder to firm up, but it can still be done. It's pretty challenging to try keeping up with my thirty nine year old son. Darn near impossible when working out with my twenty five year old nephew!
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| I'm also trying to regain some muscle tone. I'll turn 50 this year and am constatnly (but lovingly) teased by my 14yr old son, who has about 5% body fat, that I'm getting to be an old man. I know I'll never be a young man again but I've noticed improvements in muscle tone since losing some weight. I have been doing a weight circuit for 18 mos and seen little muscle definition until losing weight. Can't wait to see more.
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| Sorry - it appears to still not be working and I can't figure out why. The name of the album is dexdog8112 and there appears to be some junk between the 8 and the 1. If you remove the junk it will work. Not that the pics are that great once you get there...LOL
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GLENCORAP - I guess I screwed up...LOL I think I have it fixed now. http://ca.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/dexdog8112/my_photos
Should work. Changed it in my profile too.
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| Okay good news -- while the scales say I had only lost 1 lb on my first weigh in last Sunday, we went out for dinner with friends last night and I wore a turtleneck without a "fat lady" shirt over it. I've go a way (weigh!) to go, certainly, but it is all firming up. Stick with it!
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Lybbe,
Couldn't get into your photo page?????
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| Come on over and feel my butt!!! LOL I've still got lots of weight to lose, but my legs, butt, and upper back area are definitely rock hard under the fat (which is decreasing at a nice steady rate)and I'm 60. It doesn't happen overnight - but one day you just wake up and say 'geeze - i can actually feel muscle there!'I look forward to the day when I can actually feel my ab muscles - most of the weight I have left to lose is in front.
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GLENCORAP
2/27/06 12:24 P
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I'm with you Okiepapa, though a mere chit of a girl at 55! Just did 3 miles in 55 mins on the treadmill, and a 20 minute bowflex routine. Threw in a dozen stretchs as well.
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OK,it's time for a little humor here.When we were 21,it took 3 weeks to make improvements in our bodies,at 31 6 weeks at 41 3 months,at 51 3 years, and at 61 oh well just keep working.
I'm 61 and have worked at this most of my life,MYSELF I try to stay away from heavy lifting,and get better muscel tone and reduce sagging skin from a good commited exercise program,(some light hand weights) and an agressive CARDIO workout ( fast walking,dancing,calisthenics)    
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Dave writes "...But hard muscles are definitely possible to do at any age, in spite of loose skin."
Dave, I think you're 100% correct. Although for men the testosterone level does drop with age, in part because you tend to get less deep sleep as you get older. Since testosterone helps with muscle development, getting these rock-hard muscles may take more work when you're older.
But it's worth it, because firm, developed muscles are good to have. One important role is that they provide cushioning and support for your bones and joints.
Cheers,
Bob
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NITEMAN3D
2/27/06 10:19 A
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You're changing horses in the middle of a thread. Rock hard muscle is one thing. Tight skin is another. Loose skin is a result of the aging process and having been fat certainly won't help. But hard muscles are definitely possible to do at any age, in spite of loose skin. There are too many examples around for it to be denied. It's not only possible, it's not uncommon. Now, if you're talking about not being affected by the aging process at all, then you're right. It ain't gonna' happen. But what realistic person thinks otherwise?
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I disagree with you.Yes you can get muscle tone,but you cant be rock hard if you have weight to loose.According to your profile it says you need to loose weight.Also,by saying that you can get rock hard by doing weights, cardio, and pilates,means that to a person that used to weigh 300 or more,once they loose the weight they have alot of sagging skin thats hangs all over.Their are alot of very obese people on this site,and they should not get false hope saying that by lifting weights they will become rock hard.Because in my opinion its false advertising.
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Thanks for the encouragement Bill! I've been kidding myself with half hearted efforts for years and it's time for some simple logic. Put out more than I take in and I love free weights, so I have a way to do it. These last couple months have been great and I can't imagine going back to the way I was. I don't aspire to moving the neighbor's VW around as a prank, but I would like to finally get to a little better than normal. Thanks for the inspiration!
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Don't worry so much about being "rock hard."
Muscle tone is important for health, fitness, being able to lift your own groceries and luggage and keep up with your grandchildren.
It's not all about looks; it helps the way you feel.
If your sister is not getting results from that trainer, she should get another one! My trainer kicks my ever-lovin'!
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AUNT_BEE_1945
2/26/06 3:14 P
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My husband has talked about exercising. He is a skinny guy that burn of his extra weight off at work.
I have been trying to encourage him to do weight lifting. Because, it would be good for him I can't do it alone. If I fall, I could be where I couldn't get up. Hard for me to put my leg over the bar to sit down.
I have a great deal of weight to lose.
Need strength training. Walking. Hate to do eighter by my self.
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| I just started back with my bowflex 10 days ago and can already see a difference. I'm looking forward to a year from now I can tell you. For all the reasons everyone has mentioned, but also I know that were I to lose my 40 pounds without exercise I'd look like a half melted bowl of jello!
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Bill,
You are definitely an example I would like to follow!!
Thanks for posting,
Karen
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It will most definately tighten, I am 72 years old, ben liftin since I was 50. I was out of shape, smoking without a muscle on my 150lb body. I still bench 200 pounds on the hammer strenght machine. I am overweight at 188lb with a small frame. My goal is to get to 175. I was up to 210 lbs, so I am well on the way to my goal. I still have good muscle mass, and people at 24 hr fitness tell me I am an insperation to all. You can do it too, don't give up, you will be surprised at the muscle you can build at any age.
Bill Fergerson
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I suggest you post this request on the exercise and fitness board as there are lots of experts there that can answer your questions specifically. You might also look in the Resource Center at the list of exercises. There's a wealth of information there as to which exercises target specific muscles.
Once you get back to weight lifting and cardio, I feel certain that it will all tighten up as you work those muscles and lose the extra fat. Good-luck! It can be done!
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| 51 yrs old male been lifting and cardio for past 6 years put on 30 lbs in 7 months back problem kept me out of gym.Arms picked up lots of fat where they meet chest skin is hanging upper arms rest of body still pretty tight so far.Will this skin tighten thru curls flys etc.Any excersize tips.
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Hey Jen,
A lot of people have great muscle tone and strength, but you can't see that definition becausee they have excess weight to lose, so that fat is covering the muscles. So you have to lose the fat before you can see the muscle.
Just what I thought too.No one can be Rock Hard and be over weight.This is what you are saying right?
My point!
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PPHROG
I only wish that I could stand on my head! My video exercise tapes are a godsent. I'll take a look at that website mentioned. Keep with your program. Good Luck!
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I think genetics has a lot to do with it. I'm 62 and regularly walk and strength train and I definitely have muscle tone in my legs and arms. I will never look like i'm 20, but I sure am healthier.
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Huh?
Try here and if that link doesn't help, I can probably find another 50 or so. There's at least one guy on the circuit well into his 60's and probably many more. My response to someone saying not to tell them it *can* be done is to say, don't tell me it *can't*, because I know better. Maybe the skin on these guys and gals will stretch a little further than it did 30 years ago, but not by much:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/drobson51.htm
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| the biggest thing i have found at age 57 is just that the skin doesn't fit the way it used to. if you look past that, i definately see definition and muscle tone. but, gravity has certainly made things lowerer than they were 20 and 30 years ago. unless you are willing to spend 1/2 your life standing on your head, i don't think there is a lot you can do. work your hardest and be satisfied for being your best for your current age, not what it was 20 years ago.
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AUNT_BEE_1945
2/16/06 1:52 P
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I want to see some muscle. So I can look good. Don't want to be a body builder. Just look good for my age.
Aunt Bee
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I've been doing moderate strength training for a month now, and I can tell I am stronger, even at 62. I will never look 'ripped', but I agree as the extra pounds go, I will look more fit. Maybe a muscle or two will even show!
I'm about to get a heavier set of weights I like it so much!
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Well, I feel as if I need to put in a plug for lifting weights. For most of my life, I certainly had no noticeable muscle. I'm in my mid-50s now and, after 1 and 1/2 years of strength training, I have definite muscle definition and I am thrilled with my new-found muscles.
Once I lose these extra pounds, the muscles will be even more noticeable. What is even better is that I feel really fit and healthy. I am more energetic, sleep better at night, and feel that I am going through menopause with greater ease than I might have done. I am doing yoga as well and am more limber than I have ever been in my life!
No, it is true that we can't look 20 when we are 50. But we sure can be the best that we can be! Strength training definitely helps and I think it is the elixir of youth 
Several of my friends have joined me and agree that the benefits of strength training over 50 are marvel | |
