I started seeing a personal trainer five months ago. During that time, my trainer had me try all sorts of activities, but I began to find I had a soft spot for Olympic Weightlifting. NEVER in my entire life did I think I would be purposefully trying to lift 115+ pounds off the ground, holding it on my back and squatting, or trying to lift it above my head. Over and over, my trainer told me I had a weightlifting body, I had flexibility, and that I was strong.
He told me that enough and I believed it.
As a 46-year-old woman, I also find that I am facing a midlife crisis. I think that Olympic Weightlifting came into my life at the right time. I walk into the gym with a confidence I have not had in a long time. I am finally loving my body – as it is and for what it can do. I also love the looks I get from others as I snatch the weight, clean and jerk it or push press it. In my opinion, it’s impressive.
I have never been a physically active person. My philosophy is not to run unless someone is chasing me. But it feels right, now. Making my body do things that build strength. My body has been pushed to new limits and muscles have hurt that I didn’t even know I had. It is a constant reminder that my body can do amazing things – like give birth to children and lift weights.
As I sit here writing this (with ice packs on my knees from the 100+ squats I did yesterday), I am even thinking about signing up for a local competition.
It’s so important to find new passions in your life as your path changes. My kids are teens now, so they are more independent, and I have time on my hands to try new things. I’ve exchanged play dates with dates at the gym, volunteering at their school with having lunch with friends, and a fulltime career with part-time projects that bring me joy.
Maybe my 40s aren’t so bad after all.
