fithiphealthy

DEAR LITHE {LOVE LETTERS}.

Image of Lithe Instructor, Kim Sauer at the barre in Old City via Dom

LITHE RX: BEFORE & AFTER

Meet Susie.  One of my favorite Lithers.  Mother of Lithe instructor, Jessica Procini.  58 years old. Lithing < 1 year (188 classes to be exact and only 2 late cancels).  She travels from NJ to Lithe 4-6 times a week, has attended two Lithe Escapes and has lost 24 lbs & over 20 inches! 

Susie, your energy and positivity are contagious and you're beautiful inside and out.  You should be so proud of your complete transformation! 

Images of Susie via Jess

LITHE OVER 40.

So many women contact us and say that they want to Lithe but feel that they are "too old" at 40+.  I may not be 40, but more than anything else, I want every woman to know that 40 is NOT "old" and Lithe is for every woman. It doesn't matter if you're 20, 30, 40 or 50+, Lithe will be completely effective regardless of your age, how busy you are or how many kids you have/have had. Lithe is so customizable. Don't want to jump?  Modify!

I had a little pow-pow with Lithe Instructors, Lithe clients and fellow moms, Carla Camerieri, Carrie Gero, Mary Boggi, Jenny Raphael, Colleen Kapczynski & Rosemary Raphael about age, the mom factor and fitness.  I listened. They agree that no matter how important your job as a mother and a wife is, you cannot lose yourself in the role. There are no excuses. You have to make time for you in order to be a better mom, wife, girlfriend, significant other, etc.  Here's what they had to say: 

What!? Too old to Lithe at 40? No way-40 is young. The more you lithe the more you will be able to have fun forever!    -Rosemary Raphael

It’s called ME TIME, and along the way you find out that it’s really family time because lithing benefits my whole family.  I am so less stressed; feel more confident, I have become healthier, stronger, and definitely see myself as a future fit hip healthy grandmother.  Believe me, I was very intimidated with exercising and there was no way I was walking into a gym at my age.  Lithe Method was the perfect solution. The instructors, encouragement from other lithers and the whole environment at Lithe Method makes you feel welcome from day one…you just know I belong here and I can do this.  Lithe is one of the best things I have ever done for myself and my family.  All you need to do is take a look in the mirror at the results and you will be hooked!    -Colleen Kapczynski

I am 40, have two sons, 6 and 3, am a full time mom and work part time as a freelance writer.  I am motivated because Lithe makes me look and feel ten years younger than I am, and I love that feeling. (I am on a family vacation now and all put out because I haven't had my weekly regimen of sumos and abs!) Even though hundreds of Lithe squats are hard and painful, its all worth it when you feel sexy in your body and in your clothes.  But It won't happen unless you make exercise a priority. Find holes in your schedule where exercise can fit. I schedule my work, appointments, etc around Lithe on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. I also have a supportive spouse who helps me exercise on weekends by watching our boys. I make time for lithe while the boys are in school or with a babysitter.   -Jenny Raphael

For me, it's more a matter of necessity than it is a matter of motivation.  I know that not exercising will immediately affect my body and my mindset, and will affect my health shortly thereafter.  So it's high on my list of priorities simply because it has to be - just for me to maintain what I have and maybe hope for a little more.  I also know that regular workouts help me to maintain a positive self-image in the face of inevitable changes.  For women over 40 and beyond, I think it's not as much about appearance, as it is about strength, capability, and being comfortable with the person you are becoming, both inside and out.   -Lithe Instructor Carla Camerieri

In-studio shot of Colleen Kapczynski in pull-ups (yes, her forearms are real!). Images of Jenny Raphael in side-plank, Instructor Carla Camerieri & Mary Boggi via Dom.

35-55? CARLA'S 10 STEPS.

I get a lot of food/workout questions from older women and since I just hit 30, quite honestly, I don't always have the best answers. I'm just not there yet.  I turned to Lithe instructor and Lithe's instructor trainer, Carla Camerieri for advice.  Carla is 47 years old, has three children, looks absolutely amazing and ALWAYS makes time for herself.  Here's some honest advice from the mouth of a slightly older babe: 

Start with a reality check.  Women over 35 have to work harder than they ever did to stay fit.  Blame it on Peri-menopause. Working out 3-4 times a week will no longer be enough.  You're most likely going to need to do something on a daily basis in order to keep things at an even keel.  So kick your own butt! 

Prioritize and make time for yourself and your fitness goals. Don't allow spouses, partners, children, old injuries and jobs become excuses for not working out. 

Don't be afraid to build some muscle.  You're metabolism begins to slow down at 34-35 and will continue to on that downward slide as you get older.  The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn while working out and at rest.

Don't let age hold you back.  Never say, "I can't take that class, or run that race, or lift weights because I'm 40." You are capable of a whole lot more than you think because you are older!

Be realistic about eating.  If you love to eat (like I do), then you need to allow yourself to do that or you'll be miserable.  At the same time, you need to find a way to offset eating the "bad" things that you love by being careful most days of the week. 

Know your food offenders.  For me, it's salty things like green olives and kettle chips together.  Can't have those around all the time or it won't lead to anything good! 

Vary up your routine.  If you're a cardio queen, add some resistance work.  If you love strength training, add some cardio.

Get back on track when you have that splurge of a weekend. It happens to all of us.  One binge can lead to weeks of bad eating that can undo all of your hard work.  Juicing, cleansing, or just clean eating can help. Find what works for you and get back on the wagon when you fall off. 

Don't go it alone.  Find a good friend to give you the reassurance you need to know that one cupcake is not the end of the world. Juicing, cleansing, eating clean and working out are much easier to stick with when you're not doing it all by yourself. 

Know that your best shape may be the one that is still ahead of you.  Get excited about that!  I am stronger than I was 10 years ago and I feel a whole lot better too. If it's possible for me, then it's possible for everyone.

Image of beautiful, fit (and over 40) actress, Halle Berry via People magazine.