Fitness Journey at Any Age! Meet Judi Evans! Skinny is a 4 Letter Word!

This is the second installment of Your Fitness Journey at Any Age!  Last month I showcased Dita Davis, a sweet, athletic 80 year old woman.  This month I would like to introduce Judi Evans and let her explain her fitness journey to you.

I first met Judi as a student in one of my Pilates Reformer classes.  She was very consistent and diligent in her practice and always had good questions to ask about form and function.  She also always asks to work the hips…..hip stretches, hip opening exercises, ahhhhh!

She started doing the occasional private session with me and we got to know each other a little better.  I noticed how athletic she was and she also has a great arms…..nice and toned and I also think she has a six pack for abdominals!  I asked her what else she did for workouts.

She said she had to work really hard to keep weight on and keep muscle tone so that she just didn’t look “skinny”  Wow!  Most of us want to be “skinny” but when you really have to work at keeping weight on and not looking too thin, then “skinny” means something all together different.  It’s a four letter word!

Here is Judi’s story about her Fitness Journey:

I started working out in my late 20s taking aerobic/step classes

I added weight training in my 30s, mostly machines

I started yoga on/off in my 40s, still working out with weight machines then moving to more free weights

I added Pilates allegro in my 50s and increased my yoga classes, with a decrease in weight training.

I now exercise 3-4xweek, balancing out excessive sitting time at a computer:

3 classes of yoga or Pilates per week

Once a week I do an aerobic workout with upper body free-weights.

I don’t exercise more than 2 days in row to give my body a break. If I can’t make it to the gym, I do 15 min at home of ab work, or arm free-weights/planking or physio ball stretching and leg work.

My fitness goals revolve around toning, muscle definition, core, and flexibility/balance/extension (spine and lengthening muscles). My posture has always been problematic as I have a genetic predisposition to osteoporosis.

I’m fortunate to have a fast metabolism so weight has never been an issue. Weight training has actually helped me feel better about my physique to transform my “skinny”* image into some musculature. As I age, I’m actually finding it more difficult to keep weight on. If I lose even a few pounds, I start looking gaunt, not healthy. I can’t, however, just eat whatever I want.

*History: I have always been thin with a fast metabolism. I’ve often been criticized for being too skinny (sans curves) throughout my life. It was not a positive label for me, feeling like a form of body-shaming. Envied by some women as having a model-like body, yet my too straight physique was frequently criticized by men. Some doctors even described me as underweight, but I’ve been this weight most of my life. It’s just what my body does.

So I work out to feel better – both physically and emotionally.

My nutrition goals are to stay hydrated; Eat protein at every meal (a big breakfast and absolutely no skipping meals); Eat healthy fats such as avocados or nuts and avoid saturated fat (keep red meat to a minimum); Snack mid-afternoon (e.g. nuts, fruit smoothie); Keep refined sugars to a minimum; and limit gluten consumption (excess goes to my waist). I also do not drink alcohol or smoke, which is not difficult because it doesn’t make me feel good, quite the opposite.

These goals do not feel restrictive at all because I usually find I can tailor whatever is offered. I love to eat, particularly trying new restaurants and new foods. My diet philosophy in general is if I really want it, I eat it, but keep it to 1 bite or small portion at maximum.

I’ve always been concerned about my health, although I really started focusing on a healthier diet in my 40s. I’m a strong believer in regular medical checkups, and having a good self-awareness about your body. Not a preoccupation, just knowing if something doesn’t feel right, get it checked out. As a doctor advised me, if a health concern doesn’t go away in about 2 weeks, see a doctor.

My wisdom: learn about nutrition and how to make good choices. I think the 80/20 rule re: diet is good: eat healthy 80% of the time, go for what you want 20% of the time. I don’t believe in food deprivation. And eat enough protein for your body; protein fuels energy.

With the changes in our environment, I think it’s more important than ever to eat fresh whole foods as much as possible, and try to avoid saturated fats, excess sugars, soda, and processed foods.

Stay active, however that works for you. Just move. I love what Pilates and yoga have done for me – I wish I had started a more rigorous practice earlier. I’m also glad about my foundation in weight training, it has worked well for me. Do whatever motivates you: classes for a regularly scheduled time, a team sport, a self-practice, get a trainer/coach, exercise with a buddy, etc.

I’ve never been a sun worshipper (even though summer is my favorite time of year) which has been a blessing later in life with my fair skin. My wisdom: protect your face daily with sunscreen or a hat.

In general: strive for balance, breathe, stay active, enjoy good food, love and be loved.

Judi is Fit and Fabulous at 59!

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