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By Lisa J. Gotto // Photography by Tony Lewis, Jr.
Tim: If you’re over 50, you need to take it slow. Realize you’re in it for the long haul. Don’t worry about what you can’t do or how long it’s going to take to get in shape. Just start, it won’t take long before you start seeing results. I tell myself when my body aches, that it’s a sign that I’m getting in shape and waking up parts of my body that have been on vacation.
Rich: I’ll be honest. I didn’t find myself suffering much from any aches or pains when I started. While I was very overweight I was very active. I was a little sore from initially working a specific muscle group, but that soreness faded pretty quickly since I was exercising three or more days a week, and in repeating a specific exercise, that group of muscles quickly adapted. I felt no pain or soreness.
Tim: I think about my grandchildren and how I want to be around to see how their lives unfold.
Rich: The thought that I have to move forward and not backward. I’ve worked hard to lose the weight I have and to gain the strength and flexibility and I tell myself I have to move forward. No sliding backward. I’m not going back to those larger slacks!
No-Fear Fitness after 50
By Lisa J. Gotto // Photography by Tony Lewis, Jr.
Tim Severson, 60, Business Owner // Rich Severson, 62, Project Manager
brbrWhile both Severson brothers train at Excellence in Fitness in Annapolis, and both understand the importance of keeping a body in motion, each approaches fitness after 50 in his own way.What would you tell others over 50 about starting and sticking to regular workouts when it comes to pain vs. results?
Tim: If you’re over 50, you need to take it slow. Realize you’re in it for the long haul. Don’t worry about what you can’t do or how long it’s going to take to get in shape. Just start, it won’t take long before you start seeing results. I tell myself when my body aches, that it’s a sign that I’m getting in shape and waking up parts of my body that have been on vacation.
Rich: I’ll be honest. I didn’t find myself suffering much from any aches or pains when I started. While I was very overweight I was very active. I was a little sore from initially working a specific muscle group, but that soreness faded pretty quickly since I was exercising three or more days a week, and in repeating a specific exercise, that group of muscles quickly adapted. I felt no pain or soreness.
What tools do you use to motivate you when you just don’t feel like working out?
Tim: I think about my grandchildren and how I want to be around to see how their lives unfold.
Rich: The thought that I have to move forward and not backward. I’ve worked hard to lose the weight I have and to gain the strength and flexibility and I tell myself I have to move forward. No sliding backward. I’m not going back to those larger slacks!
Tim’s Workout:
30 to 40 minutes, 3 times a week with a personal trainer; 3 days on his own; Cardio and core (work) followed by strength training. Sessions end with quick, intense cardio.Fitness Personality: Finds ways to make fitness fun
Rich’s Workout:
30 minutes, 3 times a week with a personal trainer; 2-3 days on his own; Sessions vary. Individual strength, cardio, and core workouts, or sometimes a combination of all three.
Fitness Personality: Systematic and steady approach to fitness
brRecently lost 50 pounds in 1 year! How? By giving up things like soda entirely, and cutting back overall on junk food.
See Tim and Rich’s results of our Fitness Type Personality Quiz here
brRecently lost 50 pounds in 1 year! How? By giving up things like soda entirely, and cutting back overall on junk food.