NG5 Arnold Dec/Jan 2022

age is just a number!!
by Patricia Wetton
Let me introduce myself.
I’m Patricia Wetton and at
the age of 50 I entered my
first all women push pull
powerlifting competiton.
Now, I am a national and
international power lifter
and I hold both British and
world records in the masters.
(Masters is for anyone over 40.) I am also a qualified
personal trainer and fitness instructor, as well as
teaching Pilates and yoga. All of this was achieved in
my 40s and 50s.
Despite always being sporty, I discovered a true love
for lifting when I moved to Exeter in my twenties.
However, coming back to Nottingham, settling down
and starting a family in my 30s changed all that.
Exercise was chasing three active boys around and
constantly cleaning up after them. Nutrition was
nibbling at their left overs. Me time was relaxing with
a bottle of wine in the evenings. So, when I finally
got to go out to that all important night out, nothing
fitted me.
Things had to change. So, I joined a gym, took up
kickboxing, swimming and some weight training.
I went back to college full time and trained as a
personal training and fitness instructor. My fitness
levels went up, and although I would never be a size
10, my body shape changed. I saw toned muscles
again and my strength improved. I’d fallen right back
in love with my first love. Lifting.
All too often I hear from women of all ages
saying that they don’t want to bulk up. Or they are
concerned that they will end up looking like a man.
But these misconceptions are changing and things
are improving.
I remember my first British Championships. It
was dominated by men, with very few women
contestants. Women just didn’t get the same
recognition. Now more and more women of all ages
are not just training in the gym, they are competing
in strength sports too! And I have had the pleasure to
compete, train with and even referee some amazing
women who have gone on to do amazing things.
But just how beneficial is weight training? Well you
don’t have to lift heavy weights to increase strength.
Body weight exercises, or working with an exercise
band is just as beneficial. Although for me, weights
all the way, but that’s a personal opinion.
Let’s explore the benefits of weight training. For
women, when we go through the menopause,
our oestrogen levels drop and this effects bone
density. This doesn’t only effect women but men
too and resistance training with good nutrion will
definitely help prevent the effects of weak bones and
osteoporosis, as well as injury prevention.
Building muscle doesnt just help to make you
look good, it makes you feel better. It makes your
body more efficient at burning fat by converting it
to energy and just as important, it helps with your
mental well being too.
The message I want to get across is that it is never
too late to start. Just make sure you get the right
advise, guidance and programme suited to your age
and fitness level.
Remember age is a number, not a barrier. If you
would like advice please get in touch.
Patricia Wetton - Mind Body Solutions
07791 450237 - mbsolutions7@gmail.com
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