Photo: Dilmex
Changing perceptions: She also says that we need to change public perception of what 73 should look like
Janice Lorraine, 73, from New South Wales is Australia's oldest natural bodybuilder
Her boyfriend, David Kendall, is 24 years her junior at 49 years old
Her boyfriend, David Kendall, is 24 years her junior at 49 years old
The grandmother from took to the sport at age 55 after she retired as a psychologist and needed a new purpose
...her regimen - gym for three hours, three days a week, five mile (8 kilometer) walk on three other days
A 73-year-old grandmother who prides
herself upon being Australia's and possibly the world's oldest natural
bodybuilder said she took up bodybuilding in her 50s in an attempt to
stop herself becoming 'frail and old' in her retirement.
As a retired psychologist, she took to
the sport at age 55, when she needed a new sense of purpose. And Ms
Lorraine is supported in her lifestyle choice by her 49-year-old
boyfriend, David Kendall, who she has been with for over 25 years.
Here, she talks about how bodybuilding keeps her young.
Breaking records: Janice Lorraine is Australia and perhaps the world's oldest natural bodybuilder
Late starter: At 73, Ms Lorraine took to the sport aged 55, when she retired as a psychologist
New purpose: The grandma knew she needed a new sense of purpose in her life when she took up the sport
'When you're younger you're very busy
rushing around all of the time. But when you get older, you don't have
this sense of purpose,' she tells Daily Mail Australia.
'Retirement can be devastating. And if
you don't change that old, frail idea of a 75-year-old in your head,
then that is what you will become.'
And so Ms Lorraine started training at
her local gym, for 15 months at first before she competed in a
competition in Sydney in 1999, alternating days of three hours at the
gym working out, and three days where she walked eight kilometres.
Contrast of age: She says when you're younger, you're constantly rushing around - unlike when you are older
Unfortunate event: In Ms Lorraine's own words: 'retirement can be devastating' in that it leaves you empty
I'm out to make a statement. I'm trying to change people's perception of what a 73-year-old should be.
'I don't know when I'll stop bodybuilding,' she says.
'I'll keep going until I no longer want
to. I'm out to make a statement. I'm trying to change people's
perception of what a 73-year-old should be.
'When I compete in competitions in Australia and abroad, people say that they're amazed to see a woman over 50 wearing a bikini.
Labour of love: For Ms Lorraine, she doesn't know when she will stop bodybuilding as she loves it
Making a statement: The grandmother competes in competitions both in Australia and around the world
Photo: Dilmex
Constant presence: Through all the training and competitions, Ms Lorraine's 49-year-old boyfriend has been there
Photo: DilmexShocked and amazed: She says that people are often shocked and amazed to see a woman over 50 in a bikini
'I think my bodybuilding is a great message to put out there.'
But as well as breaking age boundaries
and traditional stereotypes, there is more in the sport than mere
record books for Ms Lorraine:
'I decided to do this when I left my
gym one day in retirement and saw a very elderly, frail, stick thin
woman outside in the street.
Public message: The 73-year-old aims to send a public message to the world about what you can do
How it all began: She took to the sport at 55, after seeing an elderly, frail woman outside the gym
Same fate: Knowing that she was heading towards similar frailty, Ms Lorraine started weight resistance training
Knowing she was heading towards the same fate, Ms Lorraine says that this was her lightbulb moment:
'I knew I should do weight resistance training,' she says.
Since that day, Ms Lorraine has
competed in many competitions, winning the Ms Universe, Ms World and Ms
Olympia titles in her time, but she says it's all down dedication and
her strict weekly routine:
Strict regime: She maintains a strict weekly workout routine at the gym and outside walking
Walking and weights: This amounts to three hour gym sessions and eight-kilometre walks during the week
Title winner: Ms Lorraine has in the past won the Ms Universe, Ms World and Ms Olympia titles
Exercise makes you feel vibrant, confident and attractive.
'When I'm training for a competition I do four days at the gym instead of three,' she says.
'The idea is to be healthy. And exercise at any age makes you feel vibrant, confident and attractive.
'What more could you want?'.
Upping the training: When she has a competition, she ups the amount of time spent in the gym
Big boost: She says: 'Exercise at any age makes you feel vibrant, confident and attractive'
Photo: Dilmex
Constant presence: Through all the training and competitions, Ms Lorraine's 49-year-old boyfriend has been there
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