Some people tell me they are too old to start an exercise program. They are too busy with other things in life and don’t have the time for fitness. If that thought has ever crossed your mind, please think about these two women:
Constantina Tomescu rocked the Women’s Olympic Marathon with a time of 2hours 26minutes 44seconds. At 38 years old, she is the oldest winner of an Olympic marathon.
Dara Torres is 41 years old, a five-time Olympian and the oldest American swimmer ever. She is going home with silver medals in her pocket, beating out competitors half her age.
Repeat after me: You are never too old to exercise. You don’t have to be a marathon runner or Olympic swimmer, but you should get up and exercise your body on most, if not all, days of the week.
If that doesn’t convince you, consider these men:
John and Brad Tatum are 89 and 87 years old and are champion senior swimmers. The Washington Post Magazine highlights their amazing story this week. These brothers have been active their entire lives and have no plans to stop anytime soon. They are training for the Summer National Senior Games in August 2009 in San Francisco.
My favorite quote from the article is:
“By keeping the pressure on yourself, you start to realize you can do more. After all, you’re still alive; your body is still functioning.”
Have you been functional today?
It doesn’t matter if you are 3 or 103, you need to move more and be active gang. No excuses!
Image via Wikipedia
{ 22 comments }
Great points Lisa. I used to be this way (and I wasn’t even all that old). But the truth was – I felt old. Once I began exercising, I felt years younger. It’s one of the most important things we can do to remain young at heart. Growing old does not mean you have to feel and act old. These people you highlighted are excellent examples of never being too old!
Lances last blog post..Olympic Strength – It’s In All of Us
SUCH AN IMPORTANT POST.
and the inverse.
that you are never so old you need to stop.
my grandma died at 101.
she lifted using soup cans until 100.
Mizs last blog post..Monday Facetime. Subtitle: Really, People? You wanted MORE pushing upward?!
*love* old people exercising. I wanna be MizFit’s grandma when I grow up!!
charlottes last blog post..Pregorexia: New Eating Disorder or Overblown Media Hype?
Lance-such a great point about regular exercise making us feel younger!
Amen! My grandfather ran his first marathon at age 50. I hope to goodness I have some of his genes! (And if not, I seem to have his drive, which is half the battle!)
Fit Bottomed Girlss last blog post..A Sweet Escape: Part Deux
Amen!!! My grandma was still playing basketball with my cousins in her 80s, and my mom can outwalk me at 74!
I know I feel (and look) younger.
Missicats last blog post..KITTENS!
Great post! Not only is this a good idea, the medical community extols the benefits of exercise. Some of the chronic medical conditions can actually be reversed with regular exercise.
So true! Excellent post…thanks!
My dad is climbing Mt. St. Helens today and he is over 65. He will be out hiking till he can’t do it anymore and I love that. Hope I am that way too.
Rachels last blog post..Testing: Are we on track for the marathon?
Thanks for the great examples. It is so true and worth hearing over and over. No excuses.
Rachel, that is so cool about your dad! Good for him!
Look up Chusovitina, she is the vault silver medal winner, and she is 33 YEARS OLD!!! I am still stunned. I could not believe my eyes yesterday.
Alices last blog post..
It’s so cool watching Tomescu and Torres getting gold and silver medals. Awesome! You’re right – you are never too old.
I have to add two of my favorite triathletes: Bill Bell, 85, who has finished some 35 Ironman triathlons after starting the sport at age 59. His motivation? Chicks and beer. Seriously, he really is a chick magnet. Then there’s Sister Madonna Buder (yes, she’s a nun) who is 78 and started training for triathlons at 49. She’s the oldest woman (at 76) to finish the Hawaii Ironman. I like to say I don’t need to train for the race of my life, rather train to race for the rest of my life.
Kara from Mama Sweats last blog post..People who Move Me
Good post
These people are awesome! Exercising will keep our bodies younger and that is motivation for me 
Annettes last blog post..A Quick Ramble and Another First
I think that my most inspiring older athlete of the Olympics was the 33 year old female gymnast from Germany. Amazing!
Playful Professionals last blog post..Two Kinds of People
Ain’t that the truth! awesome post Lisa!
Fitarellas last blog post..It ain’t easy being average
Well said!! I recently posted about Tomescu and Torres and said that they really give me encouragement. Not that I want to have a go at the Olympics, but the fact that these women -and moms- are out there now, at this time in their life, really proves how far women have come – and how far we can go! I love it, great post!
great post. I hear people say all the time that they are too old to exercise. like you said, that couldn’t be further from the truth…today is a great day to start an exercise program again…no matter how old.
Blakes last blog post..Eat at Home
What a great post! I wholeheartedly agree!! NEVER TOO OLD!!!
Dara Torres is my hero. When I am feeling tired and want to wimp out I my workout I think of her and if she can medal at the Olympics at age 41 AND be the mother of a 2 year old, I figure I can at least do my workout.
Great post! At 37 I’m stronger than I’ve ever been and my competitive spirit is brewing. The Olympics are so inspiring, and reading great posts like this helps, too.
Wifey’s Houses last blog post..I Suck
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