Someday I will be this granny. You watch.I couldn’t believe my eyes and yet there she was staring right back at me from a full-page glossy photo spread accompanying an article on fitness. She even had the audacity to accessorize her gray hair and wrinkles with a gigantic smile! Excuse me, but who said old people are allowed to exercise? Certainly not fitness magazines. When’s the last time you saw someone who looked a day over 25 in Fitness, Shape, Self or even Women’s Health? Even if their cover models are a 40-and-fabulous Faith Hill, they still make her look 25. Which is funny since every piece of fitness advice I’ve ever read says that exercise should be a life-long pursuit.
And not only did this magazine have not one but several cheeky oldsters gracing their pages doing something besides power walking, but there was more than the token minority! And there were children! And all the people had different body types! And they were all shown being active, healthy and happy. Which really was the kicker for me. After all, in traditional lady mags you can only be non-model-sized and happy if it is you “before” picture. You certainly can’t have an overweight woman smiling. Next thing you know women might stop hating themselves just a bit. And then what? Self-esteem from something that goes beyond your body? Does nobody think of the children?? Who will indoctrinate the next generation in the fine art of body checking and body snarking if their mothers are no longer doing it?
Lest you think I don’t actually read (I love reading!), once I got over my initial shock at an entire magazine without a single greased-up spray-tanned beauty doing long-legged jumping jacks on a beach, I became completely enamored with the articles said pictures were illustrating. They covered a wide range of topics from canning to goal setting to indoor triathlons (an article written, I might add, by our very own Mama Sweat a.k.a. Kara Thom) and all were interesting, educated and informative. There were no pull-out cards with 10 things to do with a swiss ball on the front and ads for Atro-phex on the back. But there was an article about gaining muscle mass by our beloved queen-o-the-biceps MizFit.
What is this amazing magazine, you ask? Well, now I have to ‘fess up: you guys told me about it. Kara, Getting Healthy, and Deprogram all suggested Experience Life to me after my rant about my love-hate relationship with the newsstand health and fitness fare. I was even so fortunate to have Jen Sinkler, an editor at Experience Life, leave me a comment with an article describing the mission of the magazine called “Six Packs & Sex Lives.” I’ll be darned if I didn’t read that and end up screaming to the heavens, “Where have you been all my life?!?” It’s that good.
Thursday’s Great Fitness Experiment Giveaway: A Subscription to Experience Life Magazine
And I wanted to share the feel-good fitness love with all of you as well. Be warned though, this magazine is not for the faint of heart. You will actually learn stuff. And some of the stuff I had to read several times and then mull it over for a couple of days. There’s research involved. Numbers. Homework, even. But you guys have already proven many times how smart you are and so I have no doubt you will love it every bit as much as I do!
To enter this contest, let me know one thing you think is missing from mainstream health & fitness magazines. Do you miss seeing dimpled thighs? Indian women? An article about men that doesn’t make them look like idiots? Or tell me what one of your favorite features are. Do you love the underdog stories? The workout plans? All the recipes? Unload one of your gripes or one of your loves and you could win your own subscription to Experience Life.
Happy New Year, Charlotte! Is it selfish for me to want EVERYTHING you are giving away this week?
I miss the “half-way through the success story” story. Where is the plateau? Where is the struggle with an entire pan of brownies at midnight? Or a half-gallon of cookies and cream ice cream? These are the first thing I look for in all fitness mags – the success stories. But, I never actually find what I am looking for! I’m looking for someone like me, who lost enough weight to no longer be considered obese but has continued to struggle with healthy food choices and been plateaud for 3 years! It is a personal frustration of mine that people who were excessively more overweight than me seemed to have made less changes than me and dropped weight like a hot pan in your hands.
On the positive spectrum, no, you are never to old to exercise (or start). My BF’s mother, who turned 54 today, went to her first Crossfit session this week, immediately signed up for a year membership and is anticipating her FIRST EVER weightlifting session on Friday morning.
Maybe I’ve been reading the wrong fitness mags (actually I read more Real Simple and the like than actual fitness mags) but I’m tired of articles with pics of women lifting “girly” weights. I realize plenty of women work out with these but I like to go a bit heavier and I’d like to see more stuff about hoisting heavier weights (but not accompanied by a picture of a bizarre-looking tanned and greased woman).
Also, hate air-brushing. Maybe I don’t want to see all the warts, but they could leave at least a few wrinkles in. Sheesh.
I was just watching some New Year’s special and I saw a chubby girl running on a treadmill! She was jiggling! I immediately thought of you. Not because she reminded me of you (yeah right miss -1% body fat!), but that you were recently talking about how there are no chubby women running on treadmills in fitness mags. I would like to see more of that.
Well, I AM a chubby woman. I work out at home because I’d be too embarassed to jiggle at the gym- and that’s sad. I look at those magazines and women who’ve never struggled with their weight seem to be giving all the advice on how to lose it.
I know the numbers etc. I’m not fat because I don’t know what to do or how to do it. I’m fat because I use food to deal with my emotions.
I’d love to see these magazines deal with the emotional/mental side of physical health instead of acting like they are two separate things. How does one overcome the perfectionist tendencies? How do you let go of beating yourself up (then giving up) for ‘failing’? THAT kind of stuff.
you can.
I am.
TODAY ANYWAY 🙂
and on a serious note my grandma passed away at 102.
she was the first woman I knew who lifted weights (her weights were soupcans) and she started at 80.
so no.
I guess you cant.
OMG…amazing.
I stretch my hamstrings ever so lightly and gently, I am afraid it might break.
I used to get Experience Life, but stopped a while ago. But I would like to see more stories like the one Mizfit wrote about her grammy.. how one can start late and still do good to their body.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/phillykevflicks/2239213791/
Suganthi
Oh, the link doesn’t fit
http://www.flickr.com/photos/phillykevflicks/2239213791/
Never heard of this magazine, but it sounds intriguing!
I don’t buy fitness magazines because they all seem to rehash the same 20 articles over and over and over again, and the originals are based on research from the 1970s. How about something NEW?
I would love to see more articles about people, especially women, who started exercising late in life and the health improvements they’ve made. It would be awesome to be able to show examples to the older folks I work with at the gym – who in spite of my coaching still think lifting 2 pounds over and over is the only option.
I want to see the stories of people who have gotten past the honeymoon phase of their newfound healthy lifestyle and are struggling with it. The real issues that we face in daily living. The ups and the downs. The pros AND the cons of achieving a healthy weight. If the persons mentality has changed and if their confidence has improved.
This magazine sounds great; you have awesome giveaways!!
Happy Hew Year!! All the best on our next trip around the sun!!
As for the question: I hope to find out. If my 100+ year old horse (in human years) is an answer, NO!! He’s out there in the field running every day. Can’t believe it 🙂
Oooh, I would love to win this giveaway! I gave up on reading all fitness magazine (unless I’m standing in the airport waiting around for my flight) because they seemed to say the same thing month after month. Have you ever compared Shape to Self in the same month? I swear they are the exact same magazine with different covers. I couldn’t take it anymore! Experience Life sounds different, and I’d love a subscription!
Happy New Year Charlotte!
I don’t often comment but I do read. You have a way of putting it into words. Thank you! Happy New Year!
I’d like to see more models of all shapes and sizes. And the fitness models wearing more realistic clothes.
-JenP
Happy New Year!
I hate how some fitness models are skinnier than the models in fashion magazines.
I’m with Toots: I’m SO TIRED of the success stories that gloss over the hard parts. It’s all “I added weights to my power walks and stopped drinking beer and eating hot wings at midnight. 1 month later, I’d lost 15 pounds!!!!”
Sorry, but once you hit 30, it just doesn’t work that way anymore, lol!
I’d like to see the stories on people who have lost weight and kept it off for more than 5 years. Or people who maybe aren’t as slim as they once were, but are still fit, healthy and happy.
Happy new year!
I’d love a new and different mag to read. My favorite articles include easy to cook, healthy food ideas and articles that are very specific (and realistic) about how to achieve a fitness or health goal.
I’m hoping that I’ll never be too old to exercise!
Cammi99
I just found your blog thru MizFit. I have read more than these generous giveaway posts and I plan on visiting often.
Exercise is an element to healthy living that I have not yet successfully incorporated into my life on a regular basis. That is my main goal for this next year.
I have only ever purchased one fitness magazine – and was completely discouraged. The models all had ‘perfect’ bodies and the information did not address how to get that perfect body….at least, not realistically.
From what I have seen from that one magazine that I bought and the many I have flipped through in the stores, these magazines do not address the needs of the unfit who want to be fit.
I would love to see stomachs with stretch marks. And everything else.
I would love to hear about the challenges people go through to keep up with their fitness regiment.The magazines gloss over everything and make readers think it is easy!
I’m definitely with the other commenters who would like to see photos of women who look – um – real. AND stories about the struggle to get to the success story!
I’m sick of hearing about celebrity weight loss, personally- especially since if those articles are to be believed, all health-minded celebs are on the same meal plan. (I betcha you can’t find an article wherein the celeb in question doesn’t eat salmon with steamed veggies for a “typical dinner”.)
Happy New Year! I think I emailed you that picture last year because when I saw it, it screamed, “Charlotte.” You are totally gonna be that granny.
As for the mags, I would like to see articles about other reasons to exercise besides looking good or even feeling good. I heard an amazing women, Pam Hansen speak about overcoming depression and dealing with the loss of loved ones and trials of raising kids with special needs by running. Her book is Running with Angels. Be warned though- it makes you cry- the big soppy slobbery kind of tears…
Happy New Year Charlotte! What a wonderful-sounding magazine!
I wish magazines had fewer advertisements in them – GAH! LOL. I don’t think that’s going to happen. 🙂
I would *love* to see an article about men that didn’t make them look like idiots, you are right on with that one. Even the articles written by men are as insipid as everything else and the men look stupid for appearing to taek it seriously. A subscription to a real fitness mag would be great.
Happy New Year!
Kelly Turner
http://www.everygymsnightmare.com
I love the real, long-term success stories and recipes. I confess that I run on my treadmill watching tivoed episodes of the Biggest Loser. Watching (and reading) about people getting a hold of their health really motivates me (even though I am already lean).
p.s. Did the TRX warmup yesterday, just the warmup, and I can hardly walk up the stairs today. Maybe I am not in the shape that I thought I was. My husband is loving that contraption and I owe it all to you – thank you, thank you –
i hate the lack of variety in fitness mags. i’ve had a subscription to “fitness” for a few years now and it’s actually funny to look down the spines and see how the titles (for lack of a better word) just recycle themselves. seriously, give me something new for a change.
that being said, i hope to be the crazy 90-year-old woman on the hockey rink checking the young whipper-snappers.
Reality – that’s what is missing from fitness magazines. Most of us don’t look like these people, nor do we have the money to buy the expensive outfits and equipment suggested.
I also cannot stand the air brushing and fake tans. And nobody ever seems to be sweating!?
My favorites are the success stories.
Happy new year!
I guess what I miss seeing in health or fitness magazines is the over 40 woman who decides to take up fitness on a more serious level now that she’s older. A woman doing it for health’s sake as well as vanity.
I like the recipes. I’m always looking for new recipes.
I don’t read a lot of fitness magazines (I spend a lot more time reading blogs and online articles – why pay for a magazine subscription when I can read stuff online for free from a wide variety of writers). However, as DragonMama/Naomi pointed out, it seems like they all write the SAME exact things over and over. Even the workout routines they show are never revolutionary – just new buzzwords for the same old exercises.
I have a few different things I’d like to see:
1) An article on how you shouldn’t be scared that people will point and laugh at you in a gym. Trust me, people are WAY too concerned about their own appearance and workout to care if you have extra poundage.
2) More plus-size people working out. And by plus-size, I don’t mean a size 12, either!
3)Follow-ups. Sure they lost the weight, but 2-5 years later, how well have they maintained?
I think the one thing that I hate about Health and Fitness magazines is how bad they make me feel about myself. I wear a size 2 jeans at Old Navy, but I don’t have a flat stomach like the women in these magazines. When I sit down, I get a roll over my jeans. I hate that about myself, even though I can also think, “Robin, you’re a size 2. Don’t be crazy.” I eat well and exercise 6/7 days a week, but I’m still worried about my body. I wish they would have women who were healthy, and not just women with small arms and a flat stomach.
I’m not sure if this is something I “miss” – but it really bothers me when a fitness magazine has an article about loving yourself and your body the way you are… and on the next page there’s an article telling you how to lose 10 pounds fast (!).
One of the things that bugs me about health/fitness mags is that they seemed to either be geared towards just women or just men (accept for, perhaps, “Runner’s World”, but that is a very specific kind of fitness mag).
Even a holistic type mag like Yoga Journal, which DOES feature older people (though not on their cover, usually), really skimps on showing us some yoga fellows. Alas.
One of the things that bugs me about health/fitness mags is that they seem to either be geared towards just women or just men (except for, perhaps, “Runner’s World”, but that is a very specific kind of fitness mag).
Even a holistic type mag like Yoga Journal, which DOES feature older people (though not on their cover, usually), really skimps on showing us some yoga fellows. Alas.
I stopped all those magazines because 1) I never had time to read all of them and 2) they just recycle the old crap they published before. And where is the variety regarding different approaches? I’m a Paleo gal who likes to do Olympic lifts and heavy workouts. Where is the breaking research or cutting edge workout or expert that has a little different angle on things? I read Jen Sinkler’s blog – I’ll have to check out the rest of the mag now :).
I frequently read Experience Life online, and I love their focus on total health rather than squeezing into your skinny jeans. It’s so refreshing! I would absolutely LOVE a subscription to Experience Life!!!
As someone who exercises on a regular basis and who still could stand to lose 10 more pounds, I would love to see an article on other ways to measure your fitness besides “LOSE 10 LBS IN ONE WEEK!”
I run almost 20 mpw, swim twice a week and lift weights, what more could I do…stop eating all together!
I would LOVE to see more women with imperfections. Slim and fit women with cellulite. Less than perky breasts. Moles and scars.
I like seeing a beautiful woman, then noticing her flaws, and then recognizing that they don’t take away form her beauty in the slightest.
I think that photoshop is a terrible thing.
i would like to see more diversity with the models..
i would like to see more articles about self-love, focus on inner beauty. but eh, i’m a dreamer.
I’d like fewer success stories to be about weight loss.
How about this: Darlene was able to climb her way out of the ravine she plunged into thanks to her dedication to lifing heavy weights…or, Elizabeth was able to carry her children through waist high flood waters thanks to her committment to arm balances in yoga class to build strength….
Fitness success doesn’t have to be about anything aesthetic.
Jennifer in Newfoundland
happy new year!
i think fitness magazines are missing a LOT, but i think we need more stories on people that are normal. i don’t want to hear about the woman who decided to lose weight and lost 50 lbs in 6 months with no problems. i want to hear about the woman who has tried to lose weight for a long time and is struggling, plateauing, and how she is mentally dealing with these things and the changes she makes to adapt. one magazine, i think shape, used to follow people as they went on a weight loss program and monthly, they would journal their progress. it was fantasic! people would lose/gain, have plateaus, talk about what we really face while losing weight.
i also think that there is a lot of focus on the weight loss EDs – anorexia, bulimia. there is little to no focus on binge eating eating disorders. i think that people don’t know what binge eating *really* is and what those of us who have struggled with it go through. it’s not ordering an extra serving of fries, it’s going to the drive through, and eating the whole freaking menu, meanwhile you eat “normally” when you aren’t bingeing. the distinction between overeating and binge eating is so unclear in society. time to address it.
kim
Here I am still catching up with my blog reading… just want to say THANKS for the shout out:-)