A health scare made me determined to take better care of myself. Then my son suggested I take up a surprising new hobby. By Marlene Flowers, 65
Driving home from the hospital, I made myself a promise.
From now on, I’m taking better care of my body, I thought.
I was 58 and had recently had an operation due to an issue with my colon.
Determined to get back to good health, I switched to a low-carb keto diet.
Keen to exercise too, I started doing a ‘beach body’ workout regime in my living room.
One day my son Ryan, 28, popped in.
‘Wow, you’re looking well!’ he said.
‘Thanks, love,’ I replied. ‘Just trying to look after myself a bit better.’
'I'm so proud of you Mum!'
Later, he showed me a video of an older woman weightlifting and said: ‘You should give it a go, Mum.’
‘Are you having a laugh?’ I replied. ‘I’m nearly 60!’
But Ryan wouldn’t take no for an answer and invited me along to the gym he’d just joined.
‘I feel a bit self-conscious,’ I confessed, as I clocked a bunch of youngsters in shiny leggings.
But I soon realised that people mostly kept themselves to themselves.
And working out with Ryan sparked my competitive spirit.
Although I struggled to keep up with him, I kept pushing myself, and within six months, people started noticing my new muscles.
‘I’m scared you’re going to beat me up!’ a guy at the gym joked.
The following year, I was hit with another health problem, but it only made me more determined to keep up my exercise and healthy eating regime.
By the time I was 65, I was bench-pressing with the best of them.
While I’d once been uncomfortable at the gym, now I walked around like I owned the place!
I worked out for one hour in the morning and at least two every night — all while running my car repair shop.
‘I think you’re ready for a competition,’ one of the lads at the gym said.
It was a nerve-wracking idea. But with everyone’s encouragement, I entered the women’s physique category of a national bodybuilding competition.
As I prepared in the dressing room with the other women, one young woman said: ‘You’re such an inspiration. I hope I’m still lifting when I’m your age!’
Although I was the oldest there, everyone was so friendly.
Up on stage, the theme from Flashdance rang out as I flexed and posed in a glittery body-building bikini. And I realised I felt better about myself than I ever had before.
I ended up with four trophies — one for each category I was in!
‘I’m so proud of you, Mum!’ said Ryan, hugging me.
He set up an Instagram account for me called Granny Guns, in a nod to my bulging biceps.
We posted videos of me baking cookies in a cardigan, before cutting to shots of me powerlifting.
Soon each video was racking up hundreds of thousands of views, and the comments were overwhelming.
My mum and grandma have both started weightlifting because of you! one follower wrote.
Now, I intend to keep pumping iron for as long as I’m able. I really want to show people that it’s never too late to get out there and try something new.
I just hope my little grandson knows how tough his nana is!