I’m a super fit gran at 62 & men slide into my comments… but there’s a totally different reason I train this hard
A SUPER FIT gran whose Instagram comments are full of blokes trying to get her attention has revealed the real reason behind her gruelling weightlifting sessions.
Fitness lovers never fail to amaze people with their inspiring health journeys – and Mônica Bousquet, 62, is no different.
Although she began to work on her fitness just eight years ago, the gran has since become a viral influencer on Instagram and hopes to inspire others who are struggling to prioritise their health.
However, her path to where she is now wasn’t easy, as Mônica openly shared her early struggles with her weight.
In one of her videos, the nan revealed: “My whole life I fought with weight.”
”My relationship with weight and with the body was never very good. My father was obese.”
Despite these challenges, Mônica was determined to better her health, following a balanced diet and regular exercise – which she now does six times a week.
But whilst many may train for aesthetic purposes – which is also fine – the granny recently revealed that there’s more to it than flaunting toned figure and six-pack abs.
According to Mônica, whose Instagram profile claims she’s won several competitions, having a strong physique will only be a major benefit to her, and anyone else, when she’s older.
For instance, by regularly doing deadlifts at the gym – a strength training exercise that involves picking up a weight from the ground and standing back up – she will be able to carry heavier shopping bags without any assistance.
By adding hack squats to her workout routine the nan insisted she will be able to climb the stairs without losing her balance and tripping over.
Mônica, who’s won more than a whopping 1.5million followers on her page, also regularly takes supplements and vitamins to assist her health – and noted that this was so she wouldn’t have to rely on medicine in the future years.
Inspired by Mônica and her enviable physique? Experts have also advised people to take up physical activity when you’re older.
According to the team at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, exercise is ”essential to staying strong and vital during older adulthood”, as participation in regular strengthening exercises, will ”help to prevent osteoporosis and frailty by stimulating the growth of muscle and bone”.
Feeling physically strong also promotes mental and emotional health.
How much exercise should you do and when?
There are guidelines issued by the NHS and the Government regarding how much exercise people should do each day.
People should be active daily, and avoid sitting for long periods.
The NHS recommends an adults – those aged 19 to 64 – should aim for 150 minutes of “moderate intensity activity” a week.
This works out to 21 minutes a day, or 30 minutes five days a week.
Or, they could do 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week, which could be less than 11 minutes per day or 25 minutes three days a week.
Adults should also aim to do strength exercises twice a week, at least.
Examples of moderate-intensity activities include brisk walking, water aerobics, riding a bike, dancing, doubles tennis, pushing a lawn mower, hiking or rollerblading.
Examples of vigorous activities include running, swimming, riding a bike fast or on hills, walking up the stairs, sports, like football, rugby, netball and hockey, skipping, aerobics, gymnastics or martial arts.
Things like lifting heavy weights, sprinting up hills, spin classes or circuit training are considered very vigorous.
What time should you exercise?
Getting exercise into your day, no matter what time is a good idea.
But you may want to be more selective depending on your goal.
A 2023 US study on 5,285 middle-aged adults showed exercising between 7 and 9 am was the best time if you’re looking to lose weight.
Researchers found that early-bird gym goers had a lower body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference than those working out later.
A 2022 study led by Prof Paul J Arciero, Skidmore College, New York, found that the optimal time of day to get your kit on might differ according to your gender.
Prof Arciero said women wanting to lose fat around their belly and hips would do better to hit the gym in the morning, but those seeking to gain upper body strength or simply improve their mood might see more results from evening exercise.
The results were the opposite for men.
If you struggle to get to sleep, it’s been found that exercise in the morning may help, but exercise in the evening may help you to stay asleep.
Exercise, generally, can improve sleep quality.
The video has since taken the internet by storm, winning the nan a staggering 15million views and thousands of comments, with people flooding to admire her.
One person thanked the 62-year-old for the inspiring content, writing; ”I’ve struggled with staying consistent at the gym, but I think I’ve finally found my motivation.
”Strength training is so important for women.”Another chimed in: ”I love how the lady motivates the wings of the younger generations of girls, that lady is dope.”
A third commented: ”Divine. Thank you for being an inspiration to many women.”
”Oh, how I love watching videos like this!!! How wonderful you are! Pure inspiration,” someone else was amazed.