If you’re looking for tips to start your over 50 exercise, or restart with these new rules, new times, new… I can’t find a dumbbell anywhere and don’t have a treadmill or elliptical at home… or don’t know what to do with it… this is for you!

The Question

Recently, Flipping 50 Insider Patricia left me this question.

Would love to get some direction on the best “starting from ground zero” exercise videos on YouTube. I’ve been sedentary for many years due to a yet unresolved left knee issue (range of motion limitations, etc.) so any suggestions on videos to get me going, burn my oodles of flab from all over my body, and having fun from home would be great. Also, I’m not one who loves to workout so your direction is going to be wonderful. Yes! Let’s get this going. – Patricia B.

First, thanks for asking, Patricia. And if you’re listening and you’ve got a question I’m going to link of course- to the show notes, and also to the growing but almost branding new Insider’s Community group on Facebook. There you can share questions, comment about episodes, whether you come from YouTube channel, or you’re a podcast listener, or Flipping 50 TV episode fan. 

Options for How to Start Your Over 50 Exercise

This episode is full of links to some of my favorite YouTube videos and if you don’t want random exercise, you want it planned and handed to you so it’s organized in the best way to make progress I’m going to link to my 5 Day Flip.

It is totally and utterly to solve this problem!

Where to Begin

For those of you like Patricia, there’s a link to the 5 Knee-friendly video set. Whether it’s because of a lack of cartilage, recent or pending knee replacement, this series of 5 videos tends to your desire to look and feel good, while respecting the fact your knees don’t need to be doing squats and lunges right now.

I’ll say this too, knowing I have a thriving YouTube channel and I love you all… YouTube is still random. So while you can start there… as long as you know exactly what to look for, doing random exercises without a plan for where to start, how to progress, how to sequence exercise does not provide fitness.

The Problem with YouTube

There are dozens- actually hundreds – of videos you’ll find for instance on toning arms. From 20-something influencers to 50 and 60 something women. But none of them… or I should say … all of them I’ve found, fail to mention correct exercise planning, progression, rest and recovery. More than one suggest you do them every day. I fell off my chair. Why? Because the channel has hundreds of thousands of subscribers and that video had millions of views.

That is irresponsible fitness instruction. In fact, it is likely NOT fitness instruction. Because someone is thin and exercises does not imply what works for her will work for you. You don’t know her genetics, her diet and what else she does.

Ridiculous Advice

There are also fitness instructors – celebrity fitness instructors – providing ridiculous recommendations. I dislike the idea of throwing someone under the bus… so I’m reluctant to do this, and instead hope sharing the science of exercise will help them too. But even Jillian Michaels, ultra-popular fitness icon right? She promotes a science that is false – after we’ve literally seen how the process on biggest loser backfired.

She promotes products that include sugar and why? Likely because she is making millions doing so and she would have to completely recreate her brand. In my opinion, it would make her even more popular to admit, she screwed up. But given the way she’s dug her heels in, I don’t see that happening. 

Before YouTube and What to Do

So, I’ll leave that tangent alone, but know who you follow, why you follow them, and have a good idea what you need before you go shopping on YouTube.com

First, a good core foundation is key to fitness – and your knee is not a limiter for doing that. So I’ll include some core exercise videos. It’s a perfect month to be doing that as I’m doing a lot of core exercise education this month.

Second, start moving and developing a habit. Set a schedule, then start moving with videos that are short – walking videos for instance. I’ll link to an example.

Third, but not less important, once you’ve got a habit for a couple weeks, add strength training. You can keep it all on the floor you don’t have to do lunges and squats.

You do however, need a plan. I’ve done some free planning videos live for you during COVID19. I’ll link to in the show notes too. 

What’s next?

There you have it, Patricia.

Here’s the danger, a lot of ideas are not helpful. So if you want the simple, already organized week of cardio, core, strength for at home go to the 5 day flip. Get started. If you have a special case, work with an online coach who can help design a program for you as opposed to trying to fit into some existing video or program.

Please leave a rating in iTunes! It really helps! 

1. Visit Flipping 50 on iTunes

Click listen in iTunes

Click ratings and reviews

Leave your 5 star rating (seriously I’d love it, but your authentic comments are what I need to grow and give you more of what you want and less of what you can leave!)

Know how much I appreciate you doing this!

Walking Workouts:

Indoor Walking Workout 

20-minute walking workout 

Core First:

Avoid Back Pain: Stop crunches and situps and do this  

Standing Core Exercise

No weights?

Tubing workout (in case you can’t find weights)

Travel workout 

Give it to me please!

The 5 Day Flip 

Knee-friendly 5 Day Flip 

Do you have a question? Leave it below the show link at flippingfifty.com/ground-zero or better yet, share it with me in the new Flipping 50 Insider’s group on Facebook, I love hearing from you! If this episode was helpful please leave a rating in iTunes and then share it with a friend! Surround yourself with a supportive community of women on the same journey.

Flipping 50 Insider’s Community on Facebook 

show notes flippingfifty.com/Groundzero