I'm a 43 year old female and, since August last year, have been dabbling with my diet, aerobic exercise and weight training, although I haven't been totally committed and therefore haven't seen any noticeable results. I'm 5'7", 155 pounds and, according to mybodycomp,com, am at around 33% BF ... most of which resides in my thighs. :o

I have *never* exercised before in my life.

I'm wondering, if I'm totally committed to a diet/aerobic/weight training regime, what can I realistically expect? Is looking like Corey Everson absolutely out of the question?

If not, is there any point knocking myself out and spending all the time if I could get the best expected results with half the time and half the energy expenditure?

I'm certainly not looking for an excuse to do *nothing*, as I really enjoy working out at the gym and will continue regardless. :db:

Sorry for the rambling post - I hope it made some kind of sense.

Well, how much you can achieve depends on a lot of factors, age is just one of them.

Go for it, the more you put in the more you get out...and all improvement is good even if you don't end up looking like a fitness model you will look better, and be a lot healthier.

Also, great to see another aussie here

You can certainly do it if you put your heart and mind into it. With enough dedication a Corey Everson body isn't too far away. Remember that she hasn't done it with any half-assed attempts plus she's been doing it for years. You'll only get out what you're prepared to put in.

I had a quick look on the Body-for-LIFE site and found this (http://www.bodyforlife.com/success_stories/bernadene.shtml) success story to give you a little inspiration.

You CAN do it, good luck.

Thanks for the replies, guys. Sometimes all you need is a bit of encouragement. :nod:

And Craig, thanks so much for that link. She's 2 years older and her "before" photo could be me. :o

I've emailed the link to my husband, as he's in the habit of telling me not to expect too much because of my age. I need to show him just what I'm capable of!

I have some very good friends who are well over 40 and had tremendous success. Here are some pictures on the web, along with interviews of how they achieved their success:

http://www.bodychangers.com/patz_inter.shtml - 44
http://www.bodychangers.com/kat_inter.shtml - 41
http://www.bodychangers.com/maryb_inter.shtml - 47
http://www.bodychangers.com/diannem_inter.shtml - 40
http://www.bodychangers.com/marie_inter.shtml - 42
http://www.bodychangers.com/donna_inter.shtml - 47
http://www.bodychangers.com/dmoylan_inter.shtml - 44
http://www.bodychangers.com/geri_inter.shtml - 46
http://www.bodychangers.com/bsamme_inter.shtml - 49

The list goes on and on. I knew Pat very well several years ago, and Marie continues to be a good friend, so I know these transformations are both possible and REAL.

You can do whatever you set your mind out to. The only thing that makes another transformation more extraordinary than what we've accomplished ourselves is the ability of that person to accept more success - to choose to accomplish more - than ourselves.

Jeremy

I have no idea if you can ever look like Cory Everson and neither do you. The fact is you'll never know if you don't try. Give it an all out effort and see what happens!

Even if you're doing this for cosmetic reasons, the weight training will be good for your bones and the cardio will be good for your heart. Even if you don't get fantastic results, at least you'll live longer. :tucool:

The woman shown at the site below is Kelly Nelson, she is 75 years old, she started weight training at 52.

http://www.craigproductions.com/ECpics03/bb/c2kellynelson.htm

Look her up on Google, it is quite a story. My wife started training at 52, she looked great in a string Bikini. You can go as far as you choose to go.

RTE

I can't begin to tell you how much the replies to this thread have inspired me.

Thanks guys - you're the best! :bow: