Couch to Active with Lyn Lindbergh

In episode #80, Jill McCauslin and Chris Brown interview Lyn Lindbergh, an expert at creating real change in people's lives.

She has three chronic health issues, but still she gets out and exercises every day. Those health issues fuel her compassion for people and her understanding of what it really takes to get moving when life gets in the way. Even with her physical challenges, she has completed the Seattle to Portland 200-mile ride six times, and has completed multiple half-marathons, 10 triathlons, and countless 5K runs.

Lyn Lindbergh is the author of the book COUCH to ACTIVE: The Missing Link that Takes You from Sedentary to Active. She is the host of the Health and Fitness Motivation podcast. She is also a Blogger, Speaker, Coach, Fitness Influencer, Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Pilates Instructor, Certified Group Fitness Instructor, and President of COUCH to ACTIVE. She provides healthy coaching and motivation with one mission in mind -- to get us exercising in a way that helps us smile.

During today's podcast we discussed:

• Her advice for women over 50 about starting out or for someone who is already active but wants to do more or try something entirely different
• What to do if you have a chronic injury
• What's the right amount of cardio?
• How to get motivated (Do what makes you smile. Even a small amount of movement helps.)
• She teaches for people who are blind and has found that her camera off zoom classes are popular with sighted people as well.

What is Active?

1) Cardio when you get the blood pumping
2) Weight bearing working your muscles and skeletal system
3) Movement - the lymphatic system only pumps so moving is important
4) Flexibility - in your spine and your joints

She encourages women starting out to do by doing a little bit to start. "When you try something new, do less than you think you can and give it 48 hours. Listen to your body. Your fastest path to fitness is to stay injury free." Lyn recognizes the fact that most of us have been in and out of fitness throughout our entire lives. She created her program to help others find a space where doing your best doesn't feel like a failure. Lyn feels that we need a place to help us get jazzed about our progress.

In this motivational episode, Lyn says "Have compassion for yourself. Compassion is where it starts. Find your joy. Find the type of exercise that works for you. Think about what you enjoy and do that."

If you are just starting out or starting back, Lyn suggests trying to work up to 150 minutes a week cardio and two times a week strength training. It's okay to break it down to what you are comfortable with, like 30 minutes five times a week.

For links, visit our website: Becoming Elli Fit Strong Women Over 50