5 lessons on confidence, health and motivation from a 74-year-old fitness influencer:
earlier? “I just wish I’d thought of myself more,” she says. “I always looked at my daughter and wondered if I could do what she did because I’m a very curious person. But that’s part of life and part of growing, and it’s why I continue on this journey now. I’m wondering how it’s going to pan out in the years to come because I’m getting older, too. Can I get even better as I get older? I think I can.
Given Joan’s vitality for life and excitement for training, Strong Women asked her to share the most important lessons she’s learned over the past five years in the weights room. Whether or not you’re ready to get under a squat bar yourself, she’s shared nuggets of wisdom everyone could benefit from.“I joined gyms and tried to eat well before and they worked in the short term, but because there was nothing else with it and no one else doing it but myself, I just lost interest.
“I think it’s important to take advice and let people help you along the way. And take the compliments, too! It took me a long time, years even, to accept compliments without twisting them. I always felt like I didn’t deserve it. Now, I notice them – even from strangers.”“I think young people now have an advantage when it comes to looking after their health thanks to technology and awareness, but whether or not they implement that knowledge is still a decision they have to make.
Taking charge is so important. Many of us just don’t think that we’re worthy anymore or don’t see the point in starting. We think: ‘We’re getting old, no one’s gonna listen to us’. But you just need to start, and when you start seeing results, it’s easier to keep going.”“Nobody is perfect and we’re all going to do something wrong on our journey – that’s OK. You’ve just got to make little goals, not huge ones.
I think accepting that you will feel some discomfort in the beginning in exchange for lots of comfort later is important – whether that’s in your training, as a result of drinking more water or even what you wear. Every person is worthy.”