I found it! The picture that lauched 1000(plus) lifts... what got me started...

[FitFossil]

This was and continues to be my motivation for getting serious about weight training. Kelly Nelson is in her 70's. She didn't start training until she was 53! Three years ago I saw her picture and was sold then and there that muscle is THE anti-aging secret. Not only did muscle give her body great shape for a woman of ANY age, it made her skin firm and smooth, and gave her a youthful vital look from inside out.

Of the 30-something y.o. skinny women I knew, many were beginning to look slightly elderly - their posture starting to stoop a bit and their skin getting slack from too much dieting and muscle loss. Even though I'd wasted the past 20 years fighting to get back to my anorexic weight, I finally woke up to that fact that being too skinny wouldn't make me look good, just OLD, and I didn't want that. It was the wake-up call I needed.

If you can't see pic, here is the site:
http://www.agelesstraining.com/indexx.htm

 

[tan27]

Is she natural???

 

[FitFossil]

I don't know. At the time I first saw her picture, I didn't know there was any such distinction as natural or not natural (such sweet naivity ). I'm glad I didn't know the difference back then, because I might've given myself an excuse not to even try.

I'd venture to guess/hope she is natural, because she's not big, just ripped, and she's been lifting for about 20 years. But even if she isn't, I wouldn't hold it against her because it still took a lot of hard work to get her results. I've seen women (and men) less than a third her age who've taken a shitload of stuff and still don't look as good. It would seem that her age might help her in the leanness department too (since she's not producing much estrogen like a younger woman would).

 

[vixenbabe]

Made my day, Fit!

Love reading stories like this...Gives us all something to strive for at ANY age!

 

[valerie]

Yep Kelly is a natty competitor. I know cause we worked together and have competed several times in natty contests. Neat lady who has changed more lives than I can imagine. She stays very lean year round. Very into clean eating.-valerie

 

[KEL]

Truly impressive.

 

[SteelWeaver]

HOLY S**T!!! OMG, it just gets better and better!!!! FF, you just made my day! Damn! my heart is suddenly pounding with excitement! Oh, lord, what a beautful future!!! Wahoo!

 

[spiderwoman]

If you check out the website, you'll see it is a mom and her daughter, of 46, who are champions.
tnx for the post, it is a great inspiration to keep on going...

 

[Sassy69]

Amazing! Let's not forget the vitality & MENTAL fitness that results and is reflected in looking younger! Age is literally a state of mind!

 

[wateengedoe2]

At first I even had difficulties to see who was the mother and who was the daughter! Oh Mike, it's amazing!

 

[Puddles]

Here in Florida we have a large retired population. I'm gonna print out that picture and pin it to the bullitin board at the gym to give the ladies (expecially the older ones) some extra inspiration. Many of them seem to be afraid to push it...maybe this will help them really try and not just go through the motions.

 

[Fyre]

Seeing a women of that age, and definitely not looking her age, shows that anything is possible no matter what age you are. She is truly an inspiration. Wow!

 

[MS]

"............Of course, the question she hears most is how does a 70 year old woman look
like that. The answer is lots of work and a strict diet.
Nelson bikes 14 miles to the gym, works out an hour and a half five days a week,
then bikes back home. that's the routine five days a week, along with whatever
additional runs or rides she feels like taking. Sometimes it varies, adding
additional cardiovascular workouts.
Nelson is just as regimented with her diet. Vegetables, fruit , beans and rice
make up much of her nutrition....................."

Completely awesome, she sounds a lot like me (though I spend a little less time in the gym and a little more time backpacking ). Her achievements are truly amazing. Just goes to show how important drugs are if you're in this game for long term health instead of short term glory......food, exercise and a positive outlook (along with a dose of good genetics) are the only drugs you need!

 

[valerie]

Kelly started out lifting in a garage, with some guys. This was before there was a gym in her town. She showed me pics from when she started. She looked just like a normal woman, just an average lady for that day. She has told me some funny stories from the old days when bb was just getting started.

As far as genetics, shes pretty average. Small frame, contest wt is around 105 @ 5'2'. She has always eaten real clean, most emphasis is on carbs. She has told me more than once, "You can build muscles from peanuts!" Very much anti steroids.

I used to drive to her home every sunday and practice posing and doing our routines, during precontest prep.

She did undergo surgery last year and is right back at training and riding her bike. She had mentioned writing a book..To be honest Kelly is one tough old bird and does'nt put up with much bs when it comes to dieting and health. -valerie

 

[SteelWeaver]

Speaking of being tough, and no bs, and older women .... I don't want to sound facecious or anything, but this seems to be a fairly common characteristic in older women lifters. The ability to cut the crap and focus on the essentials. I've found it here on the boards, and in my trainer, and other older female lifters I've met. I have to say, I'm REALLY impressed by this attitude. I like it - it's straightforward and to the point, no time-wasting or nonsense, with strength and character. What to do you think? Is this a result of lifting / competing, or does this just happen as one matures? Or is it something innate in the type of women who are drawn to weight training? IMO it's related to lifting, just because in my own experience so far, I'm finding changes in the way I deal with people and issues in my life - more decisiveness, less dilly-dallying, more certainty, confidence. The ability to know rapidly what's not important and just leave it there, not fret about it ...

Y'know?

Anyway, here's to lifting as a lifestyle and the women who keep it up decade after decade. I salute you, envy you, respect you, admire you, and look to you as role models. Younger women need as much exposure as they can get to these "tough ol' birds"

 

[valerie]

Its hard to pin point where those qualities come from, I imagine it may well be an innate feature of those who go beyond the normal. For example I have a tendency to be very short with what I call "fussy eaters", people( just about aways women) who complain about healthy food not tasting good. Or people who insist that their protein drink tastse like a milkshake-get over it-protein powders serve a purpose, get your tastse goodies from the food! Being fussy just keeps you fat!

The toughness does come from having achieved a result. Knowing that disicpline will not cause death. Lifting weights that challenge and sometimes scares you. Having faced down temptation and winning.

Time is precious and so is health.

In my business I have been very blunt with people, some folks I need to tone it down(or lose their business) but others, mostly men really like it!