Advices on planning a workout for a great older lady!

[Al Doggity]

Not for post menopausal old women. Lots of housework and salads should do the trick. 

Weight training is beneficial at any age. 

if you're driving a car and have two options to go faster -- roll up the windows to decrease air resistance, or press on the gas pedal -- which will you choose?

in this analogy, rolling up the windows = weight training
pressing on the gas is cardio and diet

Lifting weights actually does burn calories, though. Rolling up a window doesn't make a car go noticeably faster. Part of the reason I'm planning full-body workouts is, hopefully, she'll be able to perform light-no resistance sets with short rest periods and achieve an aerobic response.

In the opening post I said  she wouldn't be bringing her cooking, implication being that diet was also being adjusted.

[cephissus]

Weight training is beneficial at any age. 

Lifting weights actually does burn calories, though. Rolling up a window doesn't make a car go noticeably faster. Part of the reason I'm planning full-body workouts is, hopefully, she'll be able to perform light-no resistance sets with short rest periods and achieve an aerobic response.

In the opening post I said  she wouldn't be bringing her cooking, implication being that diet was also being adjusted.

I agree, lifting weights will help.  A fast-paced weight training routine will keep your heart rate up and burn calories, but at that point, it's little different jogging, walking, or jumping rope.  If she finds that fun, great.  If she thinks it's boring or too hard, I'd suggest a walk instead.

[Radical Plato]

Weight training is beneficial at any age. 

No it's not.  My Mum is literally crippled with osteo-arthritis, not only would weight training be dangerous, it is virtually impossible for her without experiencing intense pain.  Hope this helps

[Al Doggity]

So, first workout out of the way and it went well.  
Biceps curls/ leg curls (everything 5 reps/ 3 sets)
Triceps pushdowns/lying hamstring curls
Pec Deck
Seated Lat Pulls

This took about half an hour.  She was sweating up a storm and wanted to go longer, but I advised against it as I know she is already going to be incredibly sore.

No it's not.  My Mum is literally crippled with osteo-arthritis, not only would weight training be dangerous, it is virtually impossible for her without experiencing intense pain.  Hope this helps

Sorry to hear that about your mom, but her limitations aren't simply a result of age.  My mom has some issues to deal with, too, but light-resistance weight training is not dangerous or painful for her.

[DroppingPlates]

have her walk for an hour a day, and not eat too much

what are weights to do with fat loss

edit - just saw RP's post... this

More muscle results in a higher metabolism

[wes]

When you have more muscle size,you actually burn more calories at rest.

[oldschoolfan]

have her do cardio twice per day

[Yamcha]

Lots of lubrication

[Radical Plato]

Sorry to hear that about your mom, but her limitations aren't simply a result of age.  My mom has some issues to deal with, too, but light-resistance weight training is not dangerous or painful for her.

I know, I am with you normally, I am a big promoter of resistance training, but my Mum has some serious issues, sometimes hitting the iron isn't for everyone though.  I also think you have to consider the personality types of people, some people just don;t like lifting weights on a regular basis, so it becomes psychologically unsustainable.  Best to find what suits the individual temperament and work with that, that's why I simply advocate regular movement, in whatever form that may take.

[Al Doggity]

My mother has a tendency to drastically overestimate how active she is and underestimate how.much she consumes. If we are out for 5 hours, she'll likely describe that as 5 hours of walking, even of we spend 4 hours sitting. she wont consider small portions of high calorie food as part of what she ate for the day.  we are making sure she's active while here, but i also want to get a good idea of how much she's actually moving and make sure its something she'll be able to continue when she goes home. Not just guesstimating that she moved for 3 hours a day.

[Radical Plato]

My mother has a tendency to drastically overestimate how active she is and underestimate how.much she consumes. If we are out for 5 hours, she'll likely describe that as 5 hours of walking, even of we spend 4 hours sitting. she wont consider small portions of high calorie food as part of what she ate for the day.  we are making sure she's active while here, but i also want to get a good idea of how much she's actually moving and make sure its something she'll be able to continue when she goes home. Not just guesstimating that she moved for 3 hours a day.

You could try a fitbit or some other similar device, although the oldis can't really work that technology stuff out.  And don't we all have a tendency to delude ourselves about calories in/calories out.  Obviously some are a lot worse than others, but it definitely pays to be as honest with yourself as possible in this area.