Spotlight: Interview with Remarkable Ruth, 60
Ruth has just celebrated her 60th birthday. When I met her a few years a go I was amazed with her energy and positivity (and beauty!). She works more than full-time, as a high-level manager with an international company and has become the happiest of grandparents with her daughter's gorgeous 14 month old son. When Ruth came to the gym those years ago, she came with motivation to feel good and perform stronger at work as well as regaining some of her youthful body back. Since then she hasn’t seemed to look back and has been consistent with her workouts despite ebbs and flows in life. Now that she has added a low sugar diet to her routine, her body and radiance has bloomed further. The best part is that she has been maintaining this for many months with seeming ease!
Describe your current exercise pattern
I exercise 5 days a week, early in the morning. Normally at the gym by 6am for an hour to an hour and a half.
I have a personal training session once a week to keep pushing me to the next level.
How long have you been doing it like that for?
I used to visit the gym daily in my thirties, and then stopped going. I have been dedicated to this programme for at least the last three years religiously.
What are the main reasons you have this exercise pattern?
I have a very busy job and a hectic schedule, fast pace and under constant stress. If I didn’t get up early and make the time to exercise in the morning, I wouldn’t do it.
Whenever I have left my visit until post work, I get home and then think … can’t be bothered. Going early, before work also sets me up for the day, clears my mind and makes me feel full focused and full of energy.
I can hammer myself and get rid of any stress and agro that has built up and take it all out on the gym equipment.
I also want to be able to enjoy my grandchild and future grandchildren, be mobile, active and agile.
What impact has this had on your life and lifestyle?
I feel far more energetic, I am much fitter and stronger than pre gym. I have lost weight, gained muscle mass and look and feel so much better.
I actually look at photos of myself 3 years ago and think who is that stranger in the photos.
Do you have any other goals exercise/ fitness wise?
Yes, to bench press my years in weight and continue to build muscle mass. I never get on the scales, I judge my weight loss and shape change by my clothes.
Note: Ruth has reached an amazing 55 kg press so far!
I want to continue to change my shape and look fit and strong going into my 6o+ years and make it a habit for life.
If you had to stop exercising for a month, how would you feel?
I couldn’t do it. Just a few days away from the gym makes me feel sluggish and slow. I am addicted to the high I get from exercising and feeling powerful.
How do you motivate yourself for exercise and healthily eating? Any tips?
“I love music and have a great playlist that has specific songs linked to my programme that I look forward to listening to. I am motivated by the changes I am now seeing in my body.”
It’s my time, I can put in my earphones, and disappear for an hour into another world.
I am competitive by nature and also enjoy reaching goals that I have set for myself.
The changes I have seen since participating in the 6 week challenge and from ongoing exercise has been both motivating and rewarding and the comments received from people when they now see me also spurs me on to continue with my disciplines .
Whats your diet like? Have you always eaten this way?
My diet is much better since participating in the 6 week challenge (with FitnessLife Studios).
I was a carb-a-holic pre the challenge. I have dropped the sugar, decreased the glasses of wine and really curbed the carbs. I lost 6 kilos in 6 weeks, and after keeping on the programme, another 3 kilos.
What is your ‘go to’ healthy meal? A favourite that gets you by
My favourite and must have meal is breakfast. Its a simple omelette made with two eggs. Inside I put mushroom, spinach and little sliced chilli ( seeds out). If I have it for tea I add tuna to it.
If you could tell your 40 year old self anything, what would it be?
I would tell my 40 year old self to be more disciplined in my eating habits, to keep up a good fitness programme, that you can continue to look great at any age and that
“... if she (40 year old self) saw me working out so physically at 60 she wouldn’t believe it xx”
Thank you so much for sharing Ruth.
My takeaways from Ruth is:
To consistently exercise.
Get it out the way first thing in the morning.
Eat a predominantly low sugar diet, and aim high in fitness goals and life quality.
Face the world positively and be empowered take charge of your own health, that you really can make fantastic changes.