Thinking of kick-starting a spring fitness routine to get in shape for summer? Imagining your 25year-old body at the beach this season?
Mindful fitness tips inside!
In this blog I share my interview with my good friend, Lisa Jedan, who is in the best shape of her life at 50!
Inspiration, fitness tips and proof… that reaching your desired fitness can be achieved at any age.
Thank you Lisa for agreeing to be my first interview for Med Style, my Mediterranean Lifestyle Blog.
Our topic is: Fit and Fabulous at 50!
Lisa: Absolutely delighted! Thanks for asking.
So, we recently turned 50 – which is the new 30… :)
I like to call myself an ageing young person – because I still feel like I’m in my 30s.
But you look like you are 25!
We hadn’t seen each other since before COVID, and when we got together last year, it was amazing to see you, you look fantastic!
I was so inspired by your story of how you got into the best shape of your life at 50.
I thought, this is a story that must be shared!
So, to get started, and if you don’t mind me asking you to share,
How old were you when you started this super fit lifestyle?
Lisa: Like a lot of people in their 30s, and 40s, life is consumed with finding the right job, the right partner, building a family, buying a house…When you hit 50, life becomes more about you.
I’ve always been into fitness and movement, I was a dancer for many years, but started this particular fitness program when I was 48.
I got to a place where I just wasn’t happy in my body anymore. I hadn’t worn a bikini in years. Many of us chalk that up as a natural part of aging, or having kids.
So my goal was simple: get back into a bikini again!
So what is the secret?
What program did you follow?
How did you learn about this program?
Lisa: I had a number of friends who went through a body transformation program. You know the one’s you see in magazines – the before and after photos – and you’re never really sure to believe it or not? Well, this one is called Ultimate Performance and you can believe it! My husband did it first, and then I did it.
And how long did it take to get to your desired fitness level? Your bikini bod?
Lisa: The first time it took 14 weeks. You know you’re feeling good when you start tucking in your sweaters!
But for anyone reading this, it isn’t just about lifting weights in the gym. I also learned a lot about nutrition, healthy eating and the benefit of supplements. I learned how my body reacted to certain foods, the difference between cravings and hunger, the impact of stress on my body and how women’s and men’s bodies respond differently to training and diet.
I went back again after lockdown and did an intense 9 week training regime. I felt like a body builder preparing for a competition. As an incentive to stay focussed and disciplined, we booked a photo shoot to document the transformation. It was all very empowering and has become part of the foundation in my continuous journey of health and wellbeing.
So, how is this program different?
Lisa: Two things that stood out for me were:
1. The combination of diet and exercise. You know the saying, “You can’t out-train a bad diet”? Well, it’s true.
And 2. I found a partner, not just a personal trainer. I was supported every day and challenged every day to achieve goals I never thought possible. The magical part was the feeling translated into my personal and professional life.
So, diet, nutrition and workouts?
Can you give us some examples of the diet and workouts that worked for you?
Lisa: From a food perspective, it’s a no brainer really. Protein, vegetables and portion control.
For breakfast I might have one egg and two egg whites with 150-200g of veggies, either in an omelette or salad on the side.
Lunch is a salad with chicken or tuna, I think I personally keep John West tuna in business! Salad dressing is simply balsamic vinegar and agave. Or I mix 0% Greek yogurt with some lemon and mustard for a creamier dressing.
Dinner might be salmon with roasted vegetables with basmati or cauliflower rice. I aim to eat 100-150g of protein at every meal. And for snacks, you’ll always find me with a bag of roasted almonds, cashews and dried cranberries to nibble on!
From a fitness perspective, I was really surprised the program had no cardio workouts. It was all weight and resistance training, which as you know is important for women as we age. Nowadays I train twice a week and try to get 10,000 steps in every day.
What are the exercises that delivered the best results for you?
Lisa: 10,000 steps a day. And maybe lat raises. I had really narrow shoulders when I started weight training. Now I love how rounded and cut my arms are!
And what about your favourite foods? Did you need to cut anything out?
Lisa: When you play the long game, everything in moderation. If you like a glass of wine at the end of the week or that chocolate chip cookie, have it! If you’re going to Portugal on holiday, enjoy all the beautiful wine and food the country has to offer! Just knock out calories earlier or later in the week or month to allow for it. There are so many APPs available, like MyFitnessPal, that can help you track, if you need support getting back on track or sticking to a routine.
If you have less time, maybe you’re 8 weeks out to a special occasion, it would really help to eliminate alcohol, refined sugars and carbs like pasta, bread… you know the drill. Our livers process toxins before they process fat, so that glass of wine or two may put you behind schedule, but it won’t be the end of the world. At the end of the day, if you feel great in your clothes and in yourself, that’s most important.
Do you ever feel un-motivated – like the rest of us?
Lisa: Of course. It’s totally normal. And remember, with women’s hormonal cycles, there are certain times of the month where we might have more energy than at other times. I really believe in listening to your body. Sometimes your body needs rest. Other days you can push harder. What I do recommend however is being consistent.
James Clear, the author of Atomic Habits, says: “Keep the schedule, change the scope.” For example, If you commit to working out two times this week, work out two times. Even if one of those sessions is only 15 minutes. At least you can say, hand on heart, that you worked out twice that week.
What was the hardest thing about the program at the beginning?
Lisa: How am I going to get 10,000 steps in?! Especially when I’m working, sitting at a desk all day! Now I can’t imagine a day without a walk, they’ve become such a part of my routine.
What was your biggest surprise? Unimagined positive benefits?
Lisa: The mental benefits alongside the physical. I felt, if I can do this (get into great shape), I can do anything!
Well, you are my inspiration to get my 25year-old fitness back - Target: Beach season 2024! Thank you so much for sharing your inspiring story.
Final question: What would you say to other fellow ageing young people that want to get into the best shape of their life?
Lisa: Just start.
Go out for a walk. Then do it again. One block, then two blocks.
Moving your body is free! You don’t need a gym membership, you don’t need a personal trainer. During COVID, I used paint cans and jugs of water as weights. Just start where you are because 50 is just the beginning. You have 1/3 of your life left to live and as a lovely friend of mine says: “Self-care is healthcare”.
Lisa advises some of the world’s leading brands on reputation and communications across lifestyle, wellness and technology sectors. She lives in London with her husband, daughter and black lab. You can find her walking along the Thames getting her 10,000 steps in daily.
Well I am super motivated to set my routine, and just start improving my fitness. Not only for beach season, but also to harness my inner Goddess mental power…
Mindful eating, mindful workouts, mindful lifestyle.
Grabbing my hand weights, and heading out for a walk in the beautiful Mediterranean countryside…. Power emoji!
Jade
Lewon
Med
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