WEIGHTLIFTING is a sport of perseverance, and one woman says she doesn’t let anything, whether it’s age or a cancer diagnosis, get in the way.
Marilyn Larkin75-year-old bodybuilding champion and fitness trainer Unfoldfaced a two-year break from his weightlifting journey after tearing a meniscus in his shoulder.
7
Last year, a breast cancer diagnosis regressed her weightlifting to just two pounds as she tried to regain strength after mastectomy surgery.
Larkin, who began participating in fitness competitions at age 54, was inspired by an aerobics coach who encouraged her to compete.
Despite her initial interest in aerobics, she was rejected when trying to enter competitions.
“Everyone was tall and blonde and young and said, ‘No, you can’t do that,’” she told The US Sun.
But someone took an interest and put her on the path
“I had a coach who said, ‘You’d be perfect for bodybuilding,’” she recalled.
Although she has been decorated in her career, Larkin doesn’t like praise.
She explained that her health journey has always been “internal” and follows the philosophies of choreographer and actor Mikhail Baryshnikov.
“It’s like Baryshnikov said, ‘I dance for myself, I work out for myself, I strive,’” she said.
She explained that she never saw her age as a barrier to what she could – and would – do.
“I’ve had fitness clients say, ‘I’m 40 years old, I can’t do this,’” she said.
“That has nothing to do with it. It’s about your body and where you are; age has nothing to do with it.
“These numbers are artificial. What is real is assessing where you are now and accepting that.
“You might have run marathons 30 years ago, and if you want to run a marathon again, you’re not going to start where you left off.”
People come up and tell me I’m inspiring them when I feel like I’m just living my life.
Marilyn Larkin
Larkin was undeterred by her cancer diagnosis, and in fact, she believes her physical condition is what helped her survive.
“I am completely convinced that being in shape allowed me to overcome this cancer, which was already metastatic when it was diagnosed and destabilized,” she said.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Larkin explained that her diet is her top priority to prepare for competitions and stay in the best shape possible.
She avoids fried and fatty foods, follows a 16-week restrictive diet, avoids carbohydrates and fats and eats home-cooked meals.
7
The bodybuilder admitted, however, that she believes in moderation — a typical day of eating, she explained, includes three full meals and even the occasional snack.
For breakfast, Larkin typically indulges in old-fashioned oatmeal (with nuts like walnuts, walnuts, and almonds), blueberries, milk, and whey protein.
When people think of an elderly person, they probably imagine a person who is hunched over – this is a prejudiced stereotype.
Marilyn Larkin
For a snack, she prepares an omelet with three egg whites, one yolk, cheese and avocado.
Lunch and dinner usually consist of a lean protein source such as turkey or chicken burgers, greens and sweet potatoes with Greek yogurt on top, with sides of quinoa, asparagus and spinach.
She revealed that she avoids “empty calories” like white rice and sauces.
7
“Sauces can be deadly if you like sauces. You put it in everything; this will definitely keep the weight off,” she said.
Larkin never forgets to take care of herself, making room for her Pret A Manger Harvest cookies and a “free” meal once a week.
SOME TIPS FOR CONFIDENCE
The physical trainer even has her own personal trainer, who she meets three times a week, to help her progress.
“Even though I’m a certified trainer, I need someone to push me harder than I can, and I know that about myself,” she said.
I think I’ve experienced reverse ageism when I tell people how old I am and they want to fall flat on their face.
Marilyn Larkin
In addition to various training exercises with dumbbells and machines, she highlighted the importance of posture, especially for those in their 70s.
“When people think of an elderly person, they probably imagine a person who is hunched over – that is a prejudiced stereotype,” she said.
7
“In addition to not being able to breathe as well, you can’t connect with your own self-confidence when you’re hunched over and closed off.”
His discipline and hard work have earned him a physique that regularly draws the attention and admiration of strangers.
“I think I’ve experienced reverse ageism when I tell people how old I am and they want to fall flat on their face,” she joked.
“People come up and tell me I’m inspiring them when I feel like I’m just living my life.”
Larkin said she has even had strangers interrupt her training sessions and stop her in public to praise her.
7
“My arms have been a topic of conversation since I was a teenager,” she said.
“I’m walking down the street and I see guys yelling out of their cars and they’re like, ‘Wow! You are strong!’
“Women say they want arms like mine. I love my arms, but you also have to love your whole body because my arms are part of my body.”
Larkin explained that her journey with self-acceptance also depends on the way she speaks and treats herself.
“Self-talk can sometimes keep you in the box, stop you from bending over backwards and stepping out of your comfort zone,” she said.
“One of the hardest things about starting is just getting started.
“What I usually say is, if not now, when?”
7
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
