too old??

[strongmom]

I am new to this forum and enjoy reading all the different perspectives. I didn't start lifting seriously until the last few years, always enjoyed biking and running. Im 49 years old. Then I decided to give a local strongman/woman competition a try. I learned quickly what it meant to train heavy! In the last 3 years I have done 5 competition in Strongwoman and even qualified for a national comp. It was fun and quite a challenge, especially since there are no age groups, just weight. And I was always at the lowest end of the weight group. I put on muscle and bulk for these events but was still only about 159 where the other girls were 170-200. In August I decided no more, it was taking it's toll on my joints and was tired all the time. I have decided to try a BB show, and have been changing my nutrition and workouts. So far, I have gone from 159 to 146 with BF of about 13% (from 23%) in about 41/2 months. My shoulders and back are my strength but legs still need to lose the bf. (getting leaner but still can see the areas that need to improve). The contest I want to do is in June. I am having a self doubt day, can I even achieve this at my age? Upper body is good, have been continuing to work on muscle building there to counterbalance the legs. Legs are muscular from the running and biking, just how lean and cut can I expect them to get? Just need some positive hope! I'm a fiercely committed person when I have to be!

[bscrusher]

body building is NOT intrinsically less damaging to the body than strongman/strongwoman.

what causes your pain is this,

1) incomplete recovery from training and competing.

2) incorrect technique

if you make the same mistakes in bb, your situation will not improve at all. in fact it could get worse.

IMHO, you should stay with the strongwoman sports, they are a much more positive experience.

you will enjoy the contests a lot more when you are doing your recovery and technique correctly.

[strongmom]

Thanks for your comments, you are correct, in Strongwoman, technique is everything. considering my age, non-athletic background etc, I did pretty darn good in this sport. My best events were the tireflip, farmer carry and truck pull! In Nationals, did a Farmer carry with thick handle with 160 in each hand, not bad :-) But what I didn't like was the the heavier body weight, less lean appearance, call it a female thing! That plus the saturdays out flipping Mr. Tire, snow or shine! Weekly sessions with implements require a lot of time and recuperation time. plus I had that squatters butt that I was ready to get rid of! I'm liking the smaller legs/derriere and more proportioned body. Just not sure I can get as ripped as I need to be to compete.
The comradery of strongwoman was awesome, kudos to any female who gives it a go!

[bscrusher]

Thanks for your comments, you are correct, in Strongwoman, technique is everything. considering my age, non-athletic background etc, I did pretty darn good in this sport. My best events were the tireflip, farmer carry and truck pull! In Nationals, did a Farmer carry with thick handle with 160 in each hand, not bad :-)

But what I didn't like was the the heavier body weight,

what makes you think that a "heavier body weight" is necessary to do strongwoman? also why is a heavier body weight a bad thing?

less lean appearance,

why do you think a strongwoman competitor must have a "less lean" appearance"? less lean that what?

call it a female thing! That plus the saturdays out flipping Mr. Tire, snow or shine! Weekly sessions with implements require a lot of time and recuperation time.

do you think bb training requires no training or recuperation?

you are in for a big disappointment.

plus I had that squatters butt that I was ready to get rid of!

why would anyone want to get rid of a "squatter's butt"? everyone else on the planet CRAVES the squatter's butt.

do you think bodybuilders do not have the squatter's butt?

you are headed for another disillusionment.

I'm liking the smaller legs/derriere and more proportioned body. Just not sure I can get as ripped as I need to be to compete.
The comradery of strongwoman was awesome, kudos to any female who gives it a go!

what do you mean by "more proportioned"?

[strongmom]

LOL, I loved your questions! I guess at my age and place in life, I am ready to tackle something very new. All the challenges thus far have meant work and I know BB will be something totally different. I don't see anything wrong with that, it's what keeps me young! I have two grown sons, one is a Pro strongman, one is a Pro Highland game athlete and a amateur strongman. I've done women's highland games as well and placed quite well, winning the caber toss in my first comp. So, I am not wondering IF I want to continue, just looking for some support in again tackling a new territory. Perhaps I offended you with my comments. Sounds like you do some powerlifting/strongwoman yourself. Hope you do well and make choices based on what YOU want, that is what I am trying to do.

[someday]

you're not to old!!! you'll never know if you can do it until you give it a try!

best wishes

[bscrusher]

LOL, I loved your questions! I guess at my age and place in life, I am ready to tackle something very new. All the challenges thus far have meant work and I know BB will be something totally different. I don't see anything wrong with that, it's what keeps me young! I have two grown sons, one is a Pro strongman, one is a Pro Highland game athlete and a amateur strongman. I've done women's highland games as well and placed quite well, winning the caber toss in my first comp. So, I am not wondering IF I want to continue, just looking for some support in again tackling a new territory. Perhaps I offended you with my comments. Sounds like you do some powerlifting/strongwoman yourself. Hope you do well and make choices based on what YOU want, that is what I am trying to do.

your comments can never offend me. i must point out to you, and all readers, that the reasons you have detailed for changing from strongwoman to bb are weak and faulty. your problems in strongwoman are easily fixed, and if you do not learn how to fix those problems, you will have the same problems in bb. you will have gotten basically nowhere.
you can not get away from the problems you mention by moving to another intense strength sport, if you bring all those bad habits with you.

[strongmom]

Sounds like you have some control issues , relax a bit, you are ending up with hemorroids!
Leave it up to the individual and don't try to pass your opinions off.
enough said.
With age and maturity, you will be a better listener. Have a good weekend!

[terracotta]

Yes bscrusher is blunt. As for advice on forums, you can just ignore it. It is ALWAYS up to you. Bscrusher is also not young and is not about to change. There was a running discussion already about his bluntness. No need to rehash.

[terracotta]

If you are genuinely interested in doing a competition then go over to

http://www.theelitephysique.com/
http://msfit.musclemag.com/

there are plenty of women there who are planning on entering comps. On the first page you can reach links to msfits ebooks which are very helpful.

btw, I admire strongwoman!

[strongmom]

Thanks for the links, that sounds more like what I am looking for. I'm a believer in just letting it go, life is too short to get my "hankie in a knot over what someone else's hang up is"! I do have a competition in mind and have a pretty good timeline for workout and diet. I'd like to talk to other women in my age bracket who can share their experiences. Once again, have a great weekend!

[sarawood6]

I just want to say this, I'm definetly giving you reps for doing what you're doing. I'm no doctor so I have no clue how the body reacts to weights at different ages but I'm sure it's going to be slower just because, but at the same time don't let that slow YOU down. I definetly what to be almost just like you at your age. Simply because you're still being 'young'. If you look only half as good as the other 20 yr olds on stage that means alot. You'll probably always have to work twice as hard as they do so never compare yourself to them. Gees woman, keep doing the damn thang! Much respect coming from me, no matter how much you think you lack! *Applauds you*

[bscrusher]

Sounds like you have some control issues ,

sounds like YOU have some criticism issues.

relax a bit, you are ending up with hemorroids!

you might be surprised how relaxed i am.

Leave it up to the individual and don't try to pass your opinions off.

leave what up to the individual? the individual does not matter anymore as soon as you start writing on a public forum. as soon as you post here, what you write is "up to" the collective. if you post your writing in a private letter THEN "it" is "up to" individuals.

enough said.
With age and maturity, you will be a better listener. Have a good weekend!

if you have posted your correct age you are very much contradicting the idea that age automatically makes someone a better listener, a better reader, or more mature.

[sarawood6]

bscrusher, I think you have good intentions but maybe you don't word things exactly the way you should. Constructive critisim is always good and I think that's what you're trying to do but I'm not sure that's how it's coming across. But truth be told, this is none of my business so I'm not going to say anymore about it. Sorry if I stepped on any toes. Definetly was not my intention. Let's just try to post helpful comments that don't lower anyone's self-esteem. I mean, we here to encourage and help each other progress in the first place. I hope I didn't put myself in a bad position...

[bscrusher]

bscrusher, I think you have good intentions but maybe you don't word things exactly the way you should. Constructive critisim is always good and I think that's what you're trying to do but I'm not sure that's how it's coming across. But truth be told, this is none of my business so I'm not going to say anymore about it. Sorry if I stepped on any toes. Definetly was not my intention. Let's just try to post helpful comments that don't lower anyone's self-esteem. I mean, we here to encourage and help each other progress in the first place. I hope I didn't put myself in a bad position...

don't apologise for writing an honest and thoughtful posting, we need more of those.

if you read this thread again you will find that my words are accurate and relevant. that is what i am striving for.

no matter what a person writes, some reader will be offended or uncomfortable, sometimes for the most bizarre and irrelevant reasons. this is especially true when anyone writes the truth.

i choose to not waste time trying to make sure everyone feels all warm and fuzzy. i only present my ideas as efficiently and accurately as possible.

[sarawood6]

fair enough.

[Hibiscus09]

strongmom, you're doing fantastic, and yes, you can do it!! Congrats on your powerlifting success! That sounded fun and exciting. The powerlifters I've seen don't have a lean appearance like bodybuilders and definitely seem to weigh more. Both sports are great and I'm sure you'll excel at bodybuilding as you did in the powerlifting. You've already come a long way with your bodyfat%. Fantastic work! As for your legs -- you can expect to get lean. You'd be amazed at how much bodies seem to change that last week or so when they drop water, etc. for a show. Good luck to you.