A WOMAN who is in her 70s but looks 30 years younger has shared her secrets to looking youthful, after revealing she only started working out in her forties.
Wendy Ida, 71, said that at forty she was overweight, but as her mother and aunts were also out of shape, she assumed it was genetic and there was nothing she could do about it.
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She decided to try the gym after learning that many of her colleagues went before or after work and, with the help of a trainer, learned how to lift weights.
The mother told Parade: “My body started to change and at 42 I was healthier than I had ever been in my life.
“My mentality has also completely changed. I became more fun, relaxed and carefree.
“I was so inspired by the way fitness changed not just my body, but my entire mindset, that I decided to pursue personal training.
“I wanted to help other people reinvent their lives the way I reinvented mine.”
At 57, Wendy decided to take up bodybuilding and, at 60, she became a two-time Guinness World Record holder, once for doing burpees and once for being the oldest fitness trainer with multiple disciplines.
Wendy said one of her biggest secrets to staying in shape is diet.
She said she eats mostly plant-based foods, plus some fish.
The bodybuilder said: “Although I don’t follow a specific diet per se, this way of eating is in line with the Mediterranean diet, which has been scientifically proven to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and can add years to your life.”
Wendy said it’s never too late for people to start their fitness journey and said her best advice is to find someone who can teach you the correct exercises to do at the gym.
She said strength training is particularly important for people as they age, as it is crucial for bone health.
Wendy said she works out at the gym six days a week, alternating between upper and lower body strength training.
She added that she gives herself one day off a week as rest is important.
Wendy said that for those who feel intimidated by the gym, activities like gardening, swimming and walking are great ways to move your body.
She added that to keep her mind active she also likes to learn new skills, such as speaking Spanish.
She said: “Trying new things keeps you on your toes.
What is the Mediterranean diet?
The Mediterranean diet encourages an eating pattern that includes staple foods from countries living around the Mediterranean, such as Spain, Greece, Italy and France.
The diet is primarily plant-based, with some contributions from animal products – mainly fish and poultry, with a limited amount of dairy products.
The diet also includes plenty of seasonal fruits and vegetables, as well as beans, legumes, whole grains, and low to moderate consumption of alcohol, usually red wine.
Although the UK is some distance from the warm Mediterranean climate, it is possible to adopt this style of eating without making any major changes.
Rather than being a strict “diet,” the Mediterranean diet is more of a set of guiding principles that influence how we select, prepare and consume food.
“Aging does not necessarily mean becoming weaker or more fragile.
“Getting older can mean getting stronger and sharper.
“The most important thing is to simply start. This first step could change your life.”
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