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I have been an athletic fan since I was a child and loved swimming, cheerleading, and track and field. Diagnosed with diabetes at age 11, he developed neuropathy, blindness, heart disease, and kidney failure, which made working out even more difficult.
I was in and out of the hospital repeatedly. There were many close calls where I wasn't sure if I would make it through the night. I did everything I could to take care of myself, but nothing worked. My body wasn't responding and I felt very depressed.
When my kidneys officially failed at age 34, doctors gave me a choice. Even if he starts dialysis, he likely won't live past age 40, or he could undergo an experimental double-organ transplant to get a new kidney and a new pancreas, potentially curing his diabetes. Although the surgery was risky, I wanted to enjoy the rest of my life and didn't want to live with diabetes any longer.
Fortunately, the surgery was successful. However, in my 40s, my heart disease progressed and my thyroid became malfunctioning. I had triple heart bypass surgery and had my thyroid removed.
By the time I turned 62, I was truly grateful to be alive. To celebrate my body and my resilience, I decided to get as healthy as possible.
After battling chronic illness all his life, he began strength training at age 62 and began to realize his potential.
Living in Mexico at the time, I discovered a three-month online strength challenge for people over 40. The focus was on lifting weights without straining the joints and maximizing nutrition. I enrolled in the program and decided to work hard. I didn't expect there to be a winner, but after three months, I had made the most progress and won the challenge.
I had never lifted weights before, but I was hooked. After everything my body had endured, it finally started to respond to careful care and I felt great. I didn't want to stop because I was empowered to push myself to new limits.
A year later, I moved back to the US and hired a personal trainer. My goal was to achieve optimal health. I never cared about losing weight or seeing the number on the scale go down. I wanted to lift heavier weights with proper form, learn more about my body, and reach my full potential.
I now train with a personal trainer five days a week.
I still work with the same personal trainer and we do 45 minute sessions split into upper and lower body. I usually do 4 sets of 10-15 repetitions of 8 different exercises. Technically speaking, they are supersets because you only rest for 30 seconds in between. Get a lot done in a short amount of time.
I like the upper body the most, and I love the shoulders and arms. My hamstrings are my weakest point, but I'm especially keen on training my quads and glutes. I recently completed 8 leg presses at 450 pounds (a new PR!).
I never deprive myself, but focus on balanced nutrition and track my macros to get the most out of my workouts.
I've always been aware of the importance of a balanced diet, especially for health issues, but I started tracking my macros to maximize my nutrition and support my training. I use the My Macros+ app to stay organized and eat five small meals a day. I focus on adding color to my plates and prioritize lean proteins, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats. There are always cut vegetables in the refrigerator. Salmon, chicken, tuna, Greek yogurt, egg whites, and purple sweet potatoes are some of my favorites and I can fill my plate with so much.
That said, I don't deprive myself or limit myself. If I want dessert, I'll have it. It's all about balance and I found what works for me.
When I discovered bodybuilding, I took my strength to the next level and became a role model for women of all ages.
My coach saw how hard I worked at the gym and how much I loved it, so he suggested I compete in the Masters Bikini Bodybuilding Competition. I thought no one would want to see me in a bikini, but I decided to give it a try to compliment my body. The same month I turned 64, the 30th anniversary of my organ transplant, I competed in my first championship. I won and was hooked.
Being strong and confident in your body can be difficult. To prepare for competition, I focused on building muscle with heavy weight training and a calorie surplus. Right before the show I started “cutting” and reducing my overall calorie intake to shed body fat and reveal toned muscle. Training for competitions became my new lifestyle and I thrived on the discipline and motivation system I built for myself. Working out and replenishing my body with healthy nutrients has become a second habit.
What about the cherry blossoms above? I can set an example for young women and older women and inspire them to do the same.
These three were the keys to my successful strength transformation.
1. I've built a community of like-minded women to support and inspire me on my journey.
Menopause can be confusing and cause major changes in your body, but finding a community of women who I can relate to has made a huge difference in who I am and what I am able to do physically. Giving and receiving support from your peers is very encouraging. I truly believe in the power of connection. I have found so much treasure in my community, both online and in person. Growing up with other strong women is the secret to success.
2. I realized that my body is resilient and can do difficult things.
I've had my fair share of health issues, but I'm very proud of my body for overcoming those challenges. After all the hospitalizations and complications, I am now 66 years old and not only am I lifting heavy weights, I am winning competitions. Going to the gym and hitting new PRs is proof that my body is resilient. I'm just grateful to be alive.
3. I understand that confidence is the key to success.
My goal is to always take care of my health and treat my body with compassion. I deleted all my negative self-talk and replaced it with complete confidence. I am strong, proud, capable, and express my authentic self every day.
After being sick for decades, I finally feel better and will do everything in my power to continue on this path.
