anyway, thanks for your empowering writing.

Jeannine

Always loved this rant, Krista.

It is interesting – I just started working out with a new trainer, a former Olympian sprinter who coaches fast high-schoolers – and halfway through our first session, he said something like “Since you are an athlete already,…” I was taken aback, I felt slightly as though I were an athlete under false pretences! But in fact I really am an athlete now – I never was before the last couple years – but one is not disbarred from claiming the identity just because it is a new set of habits and a new way of thinking about oneself…

I am currently going through all the lovely bits associated with menopause & I can’t tell you how many times my doctor has said (after injuries have slowed me down a bit) “let’s face it, you’re getting old.”

Like you Krista, I don’t believe that age has anything to do with it. It’s all in your head…. although I think some of the physical discomforts are quite real (hot flushes for example), but I know they will pass when my body has adjusted to its new state.

Being young is a state of mind, and my body just has to catch up with my head!

Wow, you’re middle-aged at 36??? I guess my elderly body doesn’t know that it’s 48 – good thing or I’d never get up from the SQUAT. Congrats on your lift, and here’s wishing you many, many more.

I have friends just like your – they mean well, but they just don’t understand that it’s inactivity that is what makes you feel yucky. Just keep doing what you’re doing and blogging these sites. There is great support out here for anyone who’s interested in pushing the boundaries. Krista’s site is superb, as is GymJunkies.com.

Good luck and good lifting.

Sam

PS I bought a heavy bag and have had sooooo much fun with it, everyone should get one!!!! And a vivid imagination makes it even better!

It’s funny that you write about this now. I’ve been struggling with a few comments made to me by otherwise very common-sensical friends regarding my relationship with the gym and moving my body: that I’m getting older and should ‘be careful’ or that I just have to ‘accept the way things are’ because I’m middle aged now. (For the record, I’m 36.) They told me that I can’t ever get rid of the squishy bits on my body and I think one of them believes that my fervent passion in acrobatics (I’m a beginner) is a waste of time. I’m too old, after all.

And then (and here’s where your wonderful greeting cards hit the spot), despite those well-meaning, but terribly wrong friends (and, I should note, despite the somewhat apprehensive trainer), I did my FIRST SQUAT in the cage yesterday! It was so glorious! There was an instant sound track in my head! I can’t wait to do more! I can even envision myself with strong thighs! That first squat made all those negative comments go away pretty instantly.

Of course I can do this. Of course I’ll someday do a pull up. I’ll also press up into a handstand. I’m an athlete. :)

Thank you so much for ranting this particular rant. It made my day!

BTW, I turned 35 on April 4th. :) So we share a birthday. :)

B.