How realistic is it to make weight training a long-term exercise?
 

Ok, so right now I'm really dedicated to increasing my muscle tone and improving my physique. But I've also sworn that THIS TIME, my weight loss isn't going to be temporary; I consider myself to be in this for the long haul; I'm making changes that I want to keep going with forever (or age 85, whichever comes first :dizzy:). So, here's my question: how sustainable is weight training? I sure don't see any 70 year olds lifting weights at my gym (even though there are a number of cardio and yoga devotees), and I think it would be really sad to watch all my efforts at muscle-building disappear the month after I stop.

Are any of you still weight training after 5 years? 10 years? 15? Are any of you over 60? If you're doing this right now to "tone up" during or after weight loss, have you given any thought to how long you plan to keep going with it?

Thanks for your thoughts.

My parents both weight train with personal trainers and my mom is 70 and my dad is 73 and has Parkinson's. My mom lost the "bump" on her back and it has helped slow symptoms of my dad's Parkinson's.

A lot of their retired friends the same age go to the same gym and really enjoy it.

We have 70 year olds lifting weights at my gym.

there was an article on here maybe a year ago about a personal trainer in her 80's. She had a FAB body.

I know an 83 year old that still weight lifts and when the Curves was open here they had a member who was in her late 70's

There are 60 year olds at my Crossfit and there are plenty of people who lift in their 50s and beyond.

I'm 65 (and a half! :) ) and I've been lifting weights off and on for 10 years, seriously for the last 3. I have no intention of stopping any time soon. But, ya know, 85 sounds good. :lol:

hmmmm..... I'm 66+ and have been lifting for four years and 9 months.

I'll let you know it I make it to 5, LOL.

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http://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/Ruth/ <----!!
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Not bad :D

I'm 55 and have been lifting since I was 22- seriously lifting since I was 45. I've done CrossFit for the last year and a half.

My mother and stepfather are both 75 and lift 3 days/week and have for the last 20 years.

My previous gym was FILLED with seniors because it was near a huge and wealthy gated over 55 community.

Wellll, I'm 53 and have been weight training since I'm 28, so 25 full years of straight weight training. I've never stopped, I trained through 2 pregnancies, yep, 9 months pregnant in the gym ... I only stopped for 4 weeks at those two times, because of lack of sleep... I have no intention whatsoever of stopping, ever!! So I will be in the gym at 80+ that's for sure... It is very doable but it takes dedication...I go to the gym 3-4x/week :strong: but really you don't need a gym you can train at home with little equipment...

I'm 38, have only been weight training for two years now, but plan on continuing as long as I can stand up and lift a weight. Heck, even sit down and lift a weight if it comes to that. :)

Ok, that definitely answers my questions. Thanks everyone who responded. And I definitely need to find the article about the personal trainer who was in her 80s- that sounds truly inspiring.

Well, you got your answers, but I want to brag. I'm almost 65, have been weight training for 6 months, can leg press 450 pounds, and I'm never going to stop!

I am 84 and exercise at Curves 3 to 4 times per week. And I know two ladies who are older than I am and still exercise regularly at our Curves. :carrot:

I think weight training becomes MORE important as we age, and it's like a secret that most people don't know, which is sad. I'm very glad to be starting young at 35. I've been an on and off lifter most of my adult life, but more off than on.