Lately, I’ve had a string of women around 60ish come to me, wanting to improve their strength and fitness for the first time in years.
And I am LOVING IT.
Not just because they’re brave enough to start something new- but because, while many of them mention their weight, almost every single one has said:
“I wouldn’t mind losing a bit of weight, but I’m more interested in feeling fitter and stronger.”
And that’s when I know we’re a good fit 🤗
Because the truth is, if your only goal is weight loss, I may not be your gal…
I don’t spend much time thinking or talking about weight- my own or other women’s. Not because I don’t care about health, but because the way we talk about weight is often unhelpful at best (and harmful at worst). For so many women, the pressure to focus on weight has done more damage than good.
Don’t get me wrong, plenty of women who see me for physio and exercise do lose weight. But that’s usually because, over time, everything else starts to fall into place:
✔️ A body that moves well and isn’t in pain
✔️ Strength that makes everyday tasks feel easier
✔️ Fitness that brings energy instead of feeling wiped
✔️ A deeper trust in what their body is capable of
✔️ A kinder, more compassionate relationship with their body
✔️ A way of moving that feels good—so it’s no longer a cycle of stop and start
This is why I’ve never focused on weight loss specifically. Because weight is just one piece of the puzzle, and often, when everything else is in place, weight takes care of itself.
And now, science is backing this up 🎉
A new meta-analysis looking at nearly 400,000 people found that cardiorespiratory fitness—your body’s ability to use oxygen efficiently—is a much stronger predictor of longevity than BMI alone.
Here’s what they found:
✅ Being unfit at any weight increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality- by 2 to 3 times compared to those who are fit.
✅ People who were overweight or obese but fit had much lower mortality risk than those who were a “normal weight” but unfit.
Finally! Some solid research confirming that we’ve been giving weight FAR too much weight (mind the pun).
So here’s what I want to know:
Has your weight or fitness level ever stopped you from starting a program, joining a class, or stepping into a gym?
Let me know your story—I’d love to hear about your experience.