Do you think you are too old to be healthy? A woman in her 60s from Ohio, known as the “queen of pull-ups,” would certainly ask for a different opinion.
Teresa Burkett, who turns 64 in November, was physically active in her 20s and 30s. But it wasn’t until her 50s that she entered figure competitions and began a fitness routine that was “the closest thing to a fountain of youth.” She said Ms. Burkett is stronger now than she has “ever been” in her life. Newsweek.
The 63-year-old said: “I truly believe that age is a state of mind,” and one of her favorite quotes, painted on the wall of her home gym in Sunbury, is “The body achieves what the mind believes.”
Burkett has been a personal trainer for over 12 years, working in gyms, teaching classes, and providing one-on-one training. She worked with clients in a home gym that her husband had built for her.
However, she stopped meeting with clients after the coronavirus pandemic broke out and ended up setting up an account on Instagram. She is now a full-time “fitness influencer” and shares her fitness journey and tips in online videos.
Provided by Teresa Burkett
“I started weight training in my 50s.”
Throughout her 20s and 30s, Burkett primarily took cardio classes, step aerobics, kickboxing yoga, and Pilates. She started running while going through a divorce in her late 40s, and has completed several half marathons and 5kms.
“But I didn’t start strength training until I was in my early 50s. When I was 52, I decided to enter figure competitions. I had never done anything like that before. was.”
From her competitive experience, she realized that she didn’t have much muscle.
July 2022 Survey Frontiers of sports and active living “Decreased muscle mass and strength in older adults (particularly those aged 65 to 70 and older) is a public health problem,” he said.
“Due to the high prevalence of frailty in older adults, aerobic and low-intensity exercise is performed as the first choice. Although these training regimens are beneficial, it is important to note that the prevalence of frailty is high in older adults. It’s not as effective as basic resistance training.” [the growth of muscle cells]” states the study.
According to the National Institute on Aging, results from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA), the longest-running study of human aging, show that muscle mass and strength increase steadily from birth, peaking at approximately age 30 to 35. It was found that it reached . Year.
“Thereafter, strength and performance decline at first slowly and linearly, but rapidly after age 65 for women and age 70 for men,” the NIA says.
“I started working with bodybuilders to learn the basics of lifting, and that’s when I started getting really strong,” Burkett said.
Since then, she has continued to do strength training, calisthenics and cardio, and “at 63 years old, I can honestly say I’m stronger than I’ve ever been in my life,” she said. Ta.
Provided by Teresa Burkett
62-year-old “queen of pull-ups”
Burkett’s Instagram feed is full of videos showcasing her strength in various forms of exercise, from weightlifting and pole training to gymnastics moves. However, she recently became famous for her pull-ups.
She said: “My followers think [on Instagram] People started calling me the “queen of pull-ups” after one of my videos got over 50 million views. It was a video called “62-Year-Old Abs of Steel.” ”
Burkett started getting “serious” about pull-ups about two years ago when she discovered a pull-up challenge called “25 pull-ups every day for 25 days leading up to Christmas.”
Before this challenge, she could only do about 10 “good” pull-ups. But by that Christmas, she was doing her pull-ups 15 times in a row.
“I think that’s where it all started,” Burkett said, adding, “I think the secret to successful pull-ups is first you have to believe you can do it.”
Provided by Teresa Burkett
“I’ll eat whatever I want.”
Burkett woke up at 4 a.m., drank coffee with cream, meditated, then showered and headed to her basement home gym for a workout.
When it comes to food, “I pretty much eat whatever I want,” she says, and avoids processed foods as much as possible, but “anything in moderation is a no-no.”
When she’s trying to lose a few more pounds, she gets “very strict” with her diet, keeps a written record of everything she eats, and uses a fitness tracker.
When it comes to macronutrients, the three categories that provide the most energy: protein, carbohydrates, and fat, she focuses primarily on protein intake.
“I’m a big believer in the calories in vs. calories out approach…I just let the carbs and fats sit where they settle,” she said.
Provided by Teresa Burkett
“The key to longevity”
More than anything, Burkett was motivated to start her fitness journey to set a “good healthy example” for her children and grandchildren.
She said: “We truly believe that silver hair and wrinkles are not the cause of aging, but rather a decline in strength and muscle mass, and that we can do something about it.
“I believe strength training is the closest thing to the fountain of youth,” she says, recommending strength training, especially to people your age.
Burkett advised that you should always consult your doctor before starting any exercise program. But once she gets the green light, she suggests working with a personal trainer to learn how to “lift properly.”
According to this 63-year-old personal trainer, “The secret to longevity is to keep your body and mind strong and healthy by:”
- strength training
- some form of aerobic exercise
- stay well hydrated
- Exposure to fresh air and sunshine
- Calming the mind (meditation, yoga, breathing exercises, walks in nature, etc.)
- eat a healthy diet
- Spend time with your loved ones (and drink some good red wine).
Have a fitness tip to share? Let us know at [email protected]. Your story may be published. Newsweek.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom, finding common ground and finding connections.
