Fit Strong Women Over 50.

Author: Chris Brown (Page 7 of 41)

Strength Workout developed by Artificial Intelligence

Wondering what a strength workout developed by artificial intelligence might look like?

I’ve been dabbling to figure out ways to use artificial intelligence in my everyday life, so I asked Google Gemini to make up a workout.

Here was the prompt: create a 20 lb kettlebell and 15 lb dumbbell workout plan designed for a middle-aged woman to build strength in the core, upper body, and lower body. Include a detailed warm up routine and specific stretches for the cool down.

Several caveats before you read further.

  • This does NOT replace the advice of a real personal trainer. AI merely searches different websites and compiles information. It doesn’t consider the real person you are and/or take into account your goals, strengths, injuries or hang ups. It’s just a computer application (which is can be a big problem!)
  • Maybe you are more advanced in your strength and weight training than I am and would find a 20 pound kettle bell and a 15 pound dumbbell way too light for what you need. But that’s what I use when I’m at home doing a workout.
  • Perhaps you’re just starting out and consider those weights way too much for you. Not a problem. This is not a competition!! Jump in where you are.
  • I still prefer going to the gym and doing a workout will a real instructor or personal trainer. But that’s not always possible.
  • It says “Middle Aged” because I tried my actual age in the prompt and it was ridiculously to easy for me. I guess Google Gemini thinks I’m a frail little old lady. Yes, at 67 I do qualify for the term “elderly” but my “healthspan” goal is much stronger than that. Maybe middle aged is not really realistic… as living to 114 seems a bit too much at the moment, but I’m thinking of it as a guess-timate… something like in dog years.

Here’s what the artificial intelligence (Google Gemini) returned:

Warm-Up (15-20 minutes):

Cardio:
Start with 5 minutes of brisk walking or jogging on the treadmill.
Transition to 5 minutes of jumping jacks, high knees, or butt kicks.
Finish with 5 minutes of dynamic stretches like arm circles, leg swings, torso twists, and hip circles.

Mobility Exercises:
Perform 10 reps of each of the following:

  • Cat-Cow Pose
  • Bird Dog
  • World’s Greatest Stretch

Workout (45-60 minutes):

  • Kettlebell Swings: 3 sets of 15 reps
  • Dumbbell Lunges (each leg): 3 sets of 12 reps
  • Kettlebell Goblet Squat: 3 sets of 12 reps
  • Single-Arm Dumbbell Row (each arm): 3 sets of 10 reps
  • Dumbbell Push-ups: 3 sets to failure (modify on knees if needed)
  • Kettlebell Turkish Get-Up (each side): 2 sets of 5 reps
  • Dumbbell Plank Row (each arm): 3 sets of 10 reps
  • Kettlebell Halo: 3 sets of 10 reps in each direction

Cool-Down (10-15 minutes):

  • Light Cardio: 5 minutes of slow walking or marching in place.
  • Static Stretches: Hold each stretch for 30 seconds, focusing on major muscle groups worked:
    • Hamstring stretch
    • Quad stretch
    • Hip flexor stretch
    • Chest opener
    • Shoulder stretch
    • Triceps stretch
    • Back extension

Additional Notes:

Rest: Take 1-2 minutes rest between sets and 2-3 minutes between exercises. *My Instructor’s only leave 10 to 15 seconds between sets and 1 minute or so between exercises. Often the instructor uses double body movements that work both legs and arms at once instead of just one area.
Form: Watch instructional videos and practice proper form before adding weight. Consider seeking guidance from a personal trainer if needed. *I agree!! Form is everything to avoid getting hurt with strained muscles, tendons, ligaments or something else.
Progression: As you get stronger, gradually increase the weight or reps. *Agreed. Jill always mentions this on our Fit Strong Women Over 50 Podcast!
Modifications: Feel free to modify exercises to suit your fitness level. For instance, you can perform assisted push-ups or choose a lighter weight for kettlebell exercises.
Listen to Your Body: Stop and rest if you experience any pain.

Important Considerations:

Hydration: Drink plenty of water before, during, and after your workout.
Nutrition: Consume a balanced meal with protein and carbohydrates within an hour of your workout to support muscle recovery and growth.
Sleep: Get sufficient sleep to allow your body to recover and repair.

By following this comprehensive workout plan, you can effectively build strength, improve your overall fitness, and enjoy the numerous benefits that come with a consistent exercise routine.

What do you think of the strength workout created by artificial intelligence? Have you used AI in your health and fitness plan or do you hate everything associated with Artificial Intelligence? Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment below. Thanks!

Ageless Aging with Maddy Dychtwald

154 – Ageless Aging with Maddy Dychtwald

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Informative and compelling, in episode 154 Jill and Chris talk with Maddy Dychtwald, internationally acclaimed author, public speaker, and thought leader on longevity, aging, the new retirement, and the ascent of women.

She co-founded Age Wave, the world’s leader in understanding and addressing the far-reaching impacts of our aging population. She is the author of “Ageless Aging: A Woman’s Guide to Increasing Healthspan, Brainspan, and Lifespan” published by the Mayo Clinic Press.

Maddy has been featured in Bloomberg Businessweek, Forbes, Newsweek, Time, Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, Fox Business News, CNBC, and NPR, and others.

Maddy is the author of two previous books: Influence: How Women’s Soaring Economic Power Will Transform Our World for the Better and Cycles: How We Will Live, Work, and Buy. She lives in San Francisco with her family.

Ageless Aging

In this episode we discuss:

  • How aging experienced differently by women than men
  • What key points make a difference for improving our longevity
  • Myths about healthy aging
  • What is meant by ageless aging
  • The components of improving brainspan
  • What is meant by improving health span

Links:

Website: Age Wave
Book: Ageless Aging: A Woman’s Guide to Increasing Healthspan, Brainspan, and Lifespan
Twitter X: @AgeWave

 

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Encore Presentation: Inspiring Stories of Fit Strong Women Over 50

153 – Inspiring Stories – featuring Wendy Rivard

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In episode 153, we feature an encore presentation of one of the inspiring stories of Fit Strong Women Over 50.

This episode was first released five years ago as episode 31 “Running and Staying Healthy with Wendy Rivard”. We wanted to revisit this episode for our listeners who may not have had the opportunity to hear the inspiring stories from her.

Wendy is a primary care pediatric nurse practitioner and has been a nurse for 40 years. She loves to run, travel, and also does CrossFit and water skis.

We talk about a variety of challenges and ways she has overcome them. Today she told me her new motto is “Don’t count me out!”

We discuss:

  • Cross training
  • Running
  • Massage
  • Recovery
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis

Links:
Her website: Taking the Long Way Home
If you are a reader, you’ll love her book recommendations on her book reviews page!

Her Instagram: Wendy is taking the Long Way Home
Video on instagram of her doing some recent squats with heavy weight.

Enjoy!

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Please leave a comment and let us know what you think of this encore presentation!

Walking in Sunshine

I’m finding the motivation to walk again after the winter. It’s definitely related to all the sunshine and new flowers that are in bloom. The last few weeks I’ve had Peanut out on the trails and paved paths in the area quite frequently.

Walking in sunshine with Peanut

Although she’s around 12 years old, she’s lively and really enjoys the outdoors as much as I do. I find it’s a great way to get some additional exercise each day and being in nature really makes me in a good mood.

 

walking in sunshine
Spring has arrived in Ohio!

walking in sunshine
These are the first Dogwood flowers I’ve noticed. Higher temperatures have made them open earlier than usual!

Adapting for Health with Maria Molvin

#152 – Adapting for Health with Maria Molvin

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In episode 152 of the Fit Strong women Over 50 Podcast, Jill and Chris speak with Becoming Elli member, Maria Molvin about how she finds strategies to stay healthy and fit as she ages.

Balancing work, family obligations, focusing on healthy eating, prioritizing sleep, and finding time to be active can be challenging. Maria lives in Northeast Ohio with her husband. She takes advantage of all the great local metro parks and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park to walk and hike.

We discussed:

  • How Maria relies on habits over willpower and discipline
  • How she uses her home gym. She has an elliptical. treadmill, stationery bike, and a weight bench.
  • Why she gets on her stationary bike for 10 minutes each morning
  • Her full workout routines and how they help her reduce stress after from working from home all day
  • Strength training with bicep curls and skull crushers
  • Overcoming a sleep disorder by prioritizing sleep. Maria makes sure she sleeps in a dark room, puts away her phone before bed, listens to yoga Nidra recordings, takes CBD and goes to sleep at about the same time each night.
  • What she does to offset her joint hyper mobility.  Although she became a Yoga Instructor, she does not work on flexibility. Maria focuses on functional movements, like standing on one foot to increase her balance.
  • How she considers herself an “all-weather walker” and dresses for the conditions.
  • Why taking belly dancing lessons was such a fun way to exercise
  • Looking into the FODMAPS diet – the elimination diet where she found out about sensitivities to onions, garlic, beans and legumes
  • Big salads at lunch, chicken breasts in the air fryer and grilled chicken/shrimp with steamed or roasted vegges for dinner
  • Her advice for women who want start adapting for health: pick one thing you want to change and get good at adding that habit (or eliminating that bad habit.)

Links mentioned during the podcast:

Book: Why We Sleep
Chris demonstrating a Monster walk using a resistance band
FODMAPS diet
The Complete Low FODMAP Diet by Sue Shephard and Peter Gibbon
Episode 151: Get More Fit with Kathy Murray
Episode 47: Tap Dancing to Fitness

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Spring Mix, Celery, Onion, Brown Rice and Chicken for Lunch

What’s your go-to on a crazy day? I love a spring mix salad with things I’ve already got prepped. A one bowl wonder that I am calling a salad.

Maybe you do your salads differently. Please let me know!

I really enjoy having a salad for lunch and today is no exception. Luckily I had food prepped for the week. I made a batch of chicken in the slow cooker. Cooked a couple of cups of brown rice to add to things. Sauteed some sweet onions.

Since everything was already prepped, I just had to assemble my salad!

Easy healthy lunch. It’s not hard when everything is prepped ahead of time. It’s one of those crazy busy days for me.

Get More Fit with Kathy Murray

#151 – Get More Fit with Kathy Murray

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Kathy Murray is a certified personal trainer with over thirty years’ experience in the fitness industry.

She is a graduate of The Ohio State University where she was a member of the 1983 National Cheerleading Championship Team. After college she competed in and won the United States Aerobic Championship in 1986 and spent the year traveling the world as a Fitness Ambassador.

Kathy worked as a free-lance educator to teach fitness to European Instructors. While in Munich, she coached the Munich Cowboys (American Football) Cheerleaders to six national titles in cheerleading and was head trainer/translator for the German Gladiators during a pilot TV show for the International Gladiators. She recently co-authored an audio book for Audible called The Munich Cowboy Cheerleaders about her coaching experiences in Germany. She was in Germany where she started Fit Bodies.

Always an avid cyclist, Kathy dipped her toe into the world of multi-sport in 2000, first competing in duathlons then eventually moving to triathlons. Kathy has owned her personal training business Fit Bodies for 25 years and in 2022 co-authored the Audible book, The Munich Cowboy Cheerleaders based on her time coaching the squad. She lives in Atlanta with her husband Lutalo, dog Mingus and cat Sassy.

We discussed:

  •  Coaching teens in Germany for the Munich Cowboys Cheerleaders
  • Preparing for a hip replacement and setting goals
  • Her active online fitness coaching at Fit Bodies
  • How she helps her clients get more fit at any age
  • How she combines cardio and strength workouts in her training
  • How she prepared for getting her left hip replaced.
  • Competing in triathlons and hiking the Grand Canyon after a hip replacement
  • How staying fit has changed as she has gotten older
  • Her advice for women over 50 who want to be fit and strong
  • What she says about the importance of meal prep
  • Thoughts on gluten, dairy, alcohol, food sensativities and processed foods
  • Why she says: “Get your mind right” and “Fitness starts in your head!
  • Why she does strength training 2-3 times each week

Links:

Website; Fit Bodies
Instagram:  Tribaby1
Her Audio book on Audible: The Munich Cowboy Cheerleaders on Audible
Audio book on Amazon” The Munich Cowboy Cheerleaders: a Novella

Between Salads and Soups

I’m feeling that time of year, between salads and soups. Most people call it the equinox, when the days and the nights are about the same length. Here in the states we are moving from winter into spring.

I know we have some readers and listeners who will be moving from summer into autumn, like Sue Loncaric who publishes on Living Well After 50. Jill and I interviewed her in 2021 for the Fit Strong Women Over 50 podcast.

Between Salads and Soups

I find that most of my vegetables end up in salads or soups, or sometimes both. I especially like soups with roasted vegetables but find that I’m adding roasted vegetables to some of my salads as well.

Roasted red peppers are incredibly sweet. I also find that roasting onions for use on a salad or in a soup makes them so delicious.

I love the crunch of lettuce, spinach and baby greens in a salad, and enjoy topping it with some of the other veggies that make it so colorful.

I also love the smoothness of soup on a cold day.

When we are right in between seasons, I find my lunches include both! it’s a wonderful time to have soup AND salad.

If you have a favorite soup or salad recipe that you enjoy when we’re between salad and soup seasons, please feel free to share it with us. Please post it below… or share it in our private Facebook group. Thanks!

Get Healthy with Chris Freytag

#159 Get Healthy with Chris Freytag

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In episode 150, Jill McCauslin and Chris Brown interview Chris Freytag, the founder of Get Healthy U and Get Healthy U TV.

Chris Freytag has been teaching, training, writing books, creating DVD’s, and speaking on the subject of health and fitness for the last 30 years.

Get Healthy U TV is a streaming website with workouts for midlife women. They have over 700 workouts for all levels and ages. You can access the workouts on your computer, smart phone, Roku, Fire TV and the Get Healthy U app.

Get Healthy U is the sister fitness hub that educates and inspires women to make healthy lifestyle choices as they age. Get Healthy U provides trustworthy information about health, fitness, well being, nutrition, and recipes.

Get Healthy U TV and Get Healthy U reach over 1 million women a month through their website, newsletters, social media and workouts.

Chris lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with her husband where they raised their three now-grown kids.

We discussed:

  • How we can develop healthy habits as we age
  • Why waiting for motivation isn’t a great idea
  • How to get yourself moving when you don’t feel like it
  • How to manage your health when you’re dealing with the stress of everyday life
  • How much cardio and strength training should women over 50 do each week
  • Her thoughts on yoga, Pilates and mini trampolines (rebounders)
  • What she recommends for the best way to get started on getting more healthy

Chris Freytag leading a group of women in a workout.

Links:

Get Healthy U TV
Get Healthy U
Instagram
Facebook Page
Twitter

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Kale Chips and The Trouble with Indigo

Kale Chips are Delicious!

I found my favorite way to enjoy kale. Perhaps you’ve tried it in a salad, or wilted in a soup with lots of vegetables. That is two different ways that I enjoy eating kale.

But by far, my favorite way is by turning kale into kale chips. It’s a great light crunch snack. I feel that they are a better crispy, crunchy snack than potato chips.

Kale chips are very easy to make. I bought a giant bag of kale which was already in smaller pieces. If you bought kale in big giant pieces there is an important step to cut out the large center rib of the piece of kale. Even when you cook the center rib, the texture is so much different than the kale leaf.

Here’s how I prepare my kale chips.

  • Heat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or tin foil.
  • Make sure the kale is dry using paper towels if necessary.
  • Spread the pieces of kale on parchment with no overlapping.
  • Spray with olive oil spray and lightly sprinkle salt over the kale.
  • Bake in the oven for 10 minutes.

home made kale chipsI recommend a timer because they can burn easily. (I found out the hard way!) Put in a bowl and Enjoy!

The Trouble with Indigo

I’ve been eating the rainbow since the first of the year, however I’m a little stuck on the dark purple, aka Indigo.

First I bought an egg plant with all the best intentions, however, I never got it going and had to throw it out when it turned mushy.

Then I added black beans to a soup I was making and the beans turned the broth into a dirty looking brown/indigo/blackish color. Not very appealing to say the least.

This past weekend I made another vegetable soup but this time roasted some sliced red cabbage into cabbage steaks, roasted them and added the pieces into the soup. It provided a similar result where all the vegetables in the soup took on the dark red, purple, indigo color.

What do you do for eating the purple, indigo color that looks appealing?

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