March 29, 2025 “What’s your fitness age?”
When I started nursing at 24, I worked the night shift in a level one trauma center in Detroit. On a rare slow night, some older nurses and I were chatting. They complimented me on my size, saying “Enjoy your body now because in a few years after working night shift with us you will look like us. I replied, “If you’re assuming I will gain weight and be unhealthy that devil is a lie.” They laughed and said some people have to learn. Within two years I became the night manager and their boss. I worked there for 7 years, and I left the same size that I started.
At 37 years old, I started my gym. When I performed certain exercises that were more red team level, although I’ve always showed modifications, some of my older clients would say “Baby you won’t be able to do that much longer. You see, you’ve got youth on your side. Just wait until you get to our age; you won’t be doing all of that.” Now I’m the age they were, my mid-50s and I’m even stronger and better.
Society places unrealistic expectations on us, making us feel guilty, emphasizing our weaknesses and causing self-doubt. This affects most people as they lack confidence, self-discipline, and consistency, comparing themselves to the incomparable. However, it doesn’t have to be that way.
Over the last two weeks, we have had new seniors join the bootcamp, yes the bootcamp. Two of them I would like to mention, Adrienne 67 and Cynthia 75. They came in with goals, a “can I get it” attitude and a “no mess” spirit. They are showing that bootcamp is not what people think it is. TFC is truly for all fitness levels. Adrienne spoke in a video I posted this week, about how you must keep showing up and putting one foot in front of the other. My greatest joy was when I asked her age, and she loudly stated 67 and hugged herself and said, “I’m happy.” Many people wait for their body, job, friends, or spouse to be perfect in order to be happy. Happiness is something no one can give or take away. She said, “I could be across the street in one of those hospital beds, yet my Father sees it fit for me to be able to exercise.”
Cynthia is really defying the age of philosophy. As she ran into the finish line like a happy kid, I told her she was on the green Team. She immediately asked what’s the next team, I stated, “Yellow Team” and she said, “I’m going get that one too” and she never gives up. She’s not letting her body rust out, she’s living every moment at her best. What if we lived every day like that?
Fitness age is a measure of your physical health and fitness level, regardless of your actual age. It's based on factors like
- Cardiovascular health
- Muscle strength
- Endurance
- Flexibility
If you had to rate yourself on a scale of 1-10 in each category what would your score be?
Like any test, with practice and study you can improve. For each category, there are things you can do to assist you in improving. Your trainer is like a teacher, providing the lessons and homework necessary to focus on the areas needing developing to get that “A.” Often the barrier to moving as much as we should is mental. Some people assume, “Well, I'm 70, I can't lift that, or I can't go skiing or bike riding, because I'm too old.” They can't, not because they physically can’t, but because they've decided mentally they can’t. Even among those of us who are into fitness, there may be an exaggerated sense of 'I can't do that because I'm older.’
Don’t think that because you are at a certain age all your learning and improving is done. It’s not too late to get in better shape. No matter what your age, you can improve your fitness and in turn improve your fitness age. But remember you must increase the difficulty of your exercise routine, or your fitness level will remain the same. Your body adapts to the degree to which you push it. You have to have the mindset of Cynthia, who is already thinking about the next level to achieve in order to improve.
So, embrace the journey, challenge yourself, and never let age define your limits. Every day is an opportunity to become stronger, healthier, and happier. Keep pushing forward and you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve at any age. No Mess!
