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Thread: Programming 70 YO Mother

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
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    Default Programming 70 YO Mother

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    5 years ago at age 65 my mother was diagnosed with osteoporosis. She was prescribed fosomax and experienced no measureable progress. This year I was able to convince her to start deadlifting. I started her out at 55 pounds for two sets of 5 twice a week adding 2.5 pounds every week or two. She has taken this routine up to 95 pounds and I am very proud of her for it. Additionally, her hip and back aches and pains have gone away.

    I think she has 20 pounds left before backing her off to sets of 3 reps. However, I have no experience with the elderly. Any advice for when to back off on volume?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
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    Farmington Hills, MI
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    You've shown good judgement so far. Use it. Do fives until she can't. You'll both know when it's time.

    In the meantime, read the Barbell Rx, so you'll have an idea of your options going into the post-novice era.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
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    Chicago Burbs, IL
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    Quote Originally Posted by Darren Nelson View Post
    5 years ago at age 65 my mother was diagnosed with osteoporosis. She was prescribed fosomax and experienced no measureable progress. This year I was able to convince her to start deadlifting. I started her out at 55 pounds for two sets of 5 twice a week adding 2.5 pounds every week or two. She has taken this routine up to 95 pounds and I am very proud of her for it. Additionally, her hip and back aches and pains have gone away.

    I think she has 20 pounds left before backing her off to sets of 3 reps. However, I have no experience with the elderly. Any advice for when to back off on volume?
    WELL DONE!!!

  4. #4
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    Carmel, IN
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    You are truly a brave man.

    I'd be worried about this for several reasons. First, I'd be afraid I'd hurt my mother. Second, I'd be afraid she'd kick my a#$ for having the temerity to tell her what to do.

    Yup, that's right. I'm still afraid of my mom.

    -->Adam

  5. #5
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    Dec 2012
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    Thanks Sully. She’s asked whether she should be pressing and squatting and I’ve told her she can if she wants to. And she’s going to have to really want to before I coach her through that. A deeper dive into training will have to be her idea and not mine. But the seed has been planted.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2018
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    Actually, I'm in a similar situation. I am a 70 year old mother of sons (only mine aren't my coach), and I too have osteoporosis. I've been lifting for about a year and a half. When I got to the point where I wasn't able to complete 3 sets of 5, my Starting Strength coach backed me off to 3 sets of 3. The neat thing about it is, as I am getting stronger, I can now warm up with sets of 5 for the weights I was previously unable to do 5 of. I see that as progress. As for worrying about hurting your Mom, yes, I worry about hurting myself, but I listen very carefully to my body. My progress isn't record breaking, but I am definitely getting stronger.

  7. #7
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    Mar 2013
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    I don't know why I did not see this earlier. My wife was diagnosed with osteoporosis but after 1 year of lifting under the careful tutelage of Dr. Sullivan no longer had the diagnosis. She was 67 when she started and is still lifting at 72. Given our experience I would encourage you to get regular training or better have her get regular training from a certified SS coach. Dr. Sullivan is the best of the best for your situation. He regularly works with people even older and in some case quite older than your mother.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
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    Mom had a bone density scan last week and she gained density. Of course she credited the fosomax and not drinking Diet Coke. Lol! 7 years of fosomax and this was the first density improvement!

    She’s up to 110# now on DL.

  9. #9
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    Jul 2016
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    Midwest
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    Quote Originally Posted by Darren Nelson View Post
    Of course she credited the fosomax and not drinking Diet Coke. Lol!
    That is really funny.... as long as you can keep her on the program, let her say whatever she wants .

  10. #10
    Join Date
    May 2012
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    Portola Valley, CA
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    starting strength coach development program
    Have her listen to:

    #42 - Avrum Bluming, M.D. and Carol Tavris, Ph.D.: Controversial topic affecting all women—the role of hormone replacement therapy through menopause and beyond—the compelling case for long-term HRT and dispelling the myth that it causes breast cancer - Peter Attia

    Dr. Peter Attia is big on strength training, along with how to make life good in general. He interviewed two specialists in menopause who are questioning the analysis of the big Woman's Health Estrogen study done 15 years ago which convinced many menopausal women to get off estrogen replacement therapy. They are a voice in the wilderness, but they have reason and science on their side. Estrogen replacement therapy turns out to be very much worth considering. For a woman who has been off Estrogen for 10+ years, there is an initial increase in risk of heart disease, but it fades in a few years, while life in general (including bone strength) is vastly improved for many women.

    Sully, have you checked this out?

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