Getting Toned in Your 50s

workout

Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash

“You’re thin, but you’re flabby.”

So spoke my 16 year-old daughter when we went on a beach vacation this summer.

She was referring particularly to my arms. After years of running, my legs are decently toned. But even after I replaced running with swimming several years back, my arms still look like some sort of hastily improvised, white surrender flag: long sticks with loose marshmallow-like blobs of flesh swinging off them.

“You ought to do Chloe Ting,” she suggested.

“Who’s Chloe Ting?”

Her eyes widened. For those not in the know, Chloe Ting is an online workout sensation who rose to fame during lockdown for her short, digestible workouts designed to “shred” whatever it is that needs shredding – abs/thighs/arms.

When I first started doing Chloe Ting in the late summer, I had a lot of time on my hands. I like trying new things and thought: Why not?

Now that I’m a good deal busier, however I’m finding them a great way to sneak in a bit of exercise. Because here’s the thing about Chloe Ting. (Surely, I’m not the first person to come up with that line…). Her workouts are bite-sized. They last 10 to 15 minutes, max. Because they’re so short, I can sprinkle them into my day whenever I wish to take a break. Which is a great thing when you’re working mostly from home because – let’s face it. There are only so many times per day you can visit your area of refuge.

The other reason I like Chloe Ting is her personality. I find most fitness instructors repellant. They’re too intense and hardcore, especially for someone like me who is not naturally athletic. Chloe is jolly. She does these fun little dance moves at the end of each session. She exhorts us all to “smash that ‘Like’ button” if we appreciate her workouts. She also has a full, powerful, beautiful body and seems comfortable in her skin.

Most important of all, I feel stronger and healthier now that I’m doing these micro-workouts. I also have a lot more energy. Don’t get me wrong. I’m no Michelle Obama. I never will be and I don’t care. But who knows? One of these days I might even impress my daughter…

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