Fit & fab at 60: Iron ladies prove age is just a number

Time of India

11-05-2025

Lucknow: At the crack of dawn, Neelam Mishra, 62, embarks on a journey less travelled. Pushing boundaries, she performs impressive deadlifts (70 kg) and bench presses (50 kg) at her in-house gym every day, in a powerful reminder that it's never too late for mothers to prioritise their health and well-being.Defying age-related stereotypes, Neelam from Prayagraj is a force to be reckoned with.
Along with her son Rohan, she dedicates two hours every morning to her fitness regime at her gymnasium, where she has earned the nickname "Iron Lady" amongst fellow fitness enthusiasts.With her family's support, Neelam participates in local marathons, conducts workshops, and shares motivational messages on social media. Medical professionals praise her approach, noting her excellent cardiovascular health and strength parameters.Neelam's fitness journey, which began five years ago, is a testament to her dedication and perseverance. Her daily routine includes a 5 am wake-up call, followed by stretching exercises and a protein-rich breakfast. She spends two hours in the gym, impressing fellow enthusiasts with her impressive deadlifts and bench presses.But Neelam's commitment goes beyond physical fitness. She conducts free weekly fitness awareness sessions for women in her community, sharing her knowledge and inspiring others to prioritize their health. Her motto, "
Age is just a number
" resonates with many who believed fitness was only for the young.Her son Rohan said, "Like every self-made woman, she is a wonderful homemaker, a wife, a mother and an inspiration to everyone.
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She's been an active athlete in her younger days and that passion for fitness is still very much alive in her, in fact it's growing by the day.""I'm 62 now and have been doing yoga for the last 30 years. I do strength training for 4 days a week and do a couple of long runs (10-15km) every week.
.. In my words, learning never stops and that's what keeps me going. The new challenges bring out the best in me," Neelam told TOI. Her future goals include participating in national-level fitness competitions in the senior category and establishing a fitness centre specifically designed for older adults.At 65 when most women complain of joint pain, Lucknow resident Rekha Bhardwaj's story is a powerful reminder that it's never too late to prioritise health and be an inspiration to other mothers. Rekha runs 15km a day and has taken part in several state-level marathons. She credits her fitness routine for improved sleep quality, reduced stress levels, and enhanced cognitive function. "Age is just a number, and with dedication and effort, we can achieve extraordinary things at any age," she said.Lucknow: At the crack of dawn, Neelam Mishra, 62, embarks on a journey less travelled. Pushing boundaries, she performs impressive deadlifts (70 kg) and bench presses (50 kg) at her in-house gym every day, in a powerful reminder that it's never too late for mothers to prioritise their health and well-being.Defying age-related stereotypes, Neelam from Prayagraj is a force to be reckoned with. Along with her son Rohan, she dedicates two hours every morning to her fitness regime at her gymnasium, where she has earned the nickname "Iron Lady" amongst fellow fitness enthusiasts.With her family's support, Neelam participates in local marathons, conducts workshops, and shares motivational messages on social media. Medical professionals praise her approach, noting her excellent cardiovascular health and strength parameters.Neelam's fitness journey, which began five years ago, is a testament to her dedication and perseverance. Her daily routine includes a 5 am wake-up call, followed by stretching exercises and a protein-rich breakfast. She spends two hours in the gym, impressing fellow enthusiasts with her impressive deadlifts and bench presses.But Neelam's commitment goes beyond physical fitness. She conducts free weekly fitness awareness sessions for women in her community, sharing her knowledge and inspiring others to prioritize their health. Her motto, "Age is just a number" resonates with many who believed fitness was only for the young.Her son Rohan said, "Like every self-made woman, she is a wonderful homemaker, a wife, a mother and an inspiration to everyone. She's been an active athlete in her younger days and that passion for fitness is still very much alive in her, in fact it's growing by the day.""I'm 62 now and have been doing yoga for the last 30 years. I do strength training for 4 days a week and do a couple of long runs (10-15km) every week... In my words, learning never stops and that's what keeps me going. The new challenges bring out the best in me," Neelam told TOI. Her future goals include participating in national-level fitness competitions in the senior category and establishing a fitness centre specifically designed for older adults.At 65 when most women complain of joint pain, Lucknow resident Rekha Bhardwaj's story is a powerful reminder that it's never too late to prioritise health and be an inspiration to other mothers. Rekha runs 15km a day and has taken part in several state-level marathons. She credits her fitness routine for improved sleep quality, reduced stress levels, and enhanced cognitive function. "Age is just a number, and with dedication and effort, we can achieve extraordinary things at any age," she said.
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