A TONED granny has become living proof that age is just a number when it comes to physical fitness.
Just shy of 66, Stephanie Finkel sports abs that give even 20-year-olds a run for their money.
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The New York native’s journey to an impressive physique all started when her ex-husband made a hurtful remark about her body.
“Right before my 31st birthday, my ex-husband decided to comment that, after having two kids just a year apart, my ‘butt had lost its firmness,'” she said.
“He thought it would be a good idea for me to try out a local gym for three months,” Stephanie, who used to work in risk management, continued.
“Funny enough, he conveniently forgot to mention the extra 45 pounds he had gained since our wedding.
“I bought the book Flex Appeal by Ms. Olympia Champion, Rachel McLish, it became my fitness bible.
“As I started working out at the gym, I fell head over heels for lifting weights.
“It was like a whole new world opened up, I became friends with both the guys and gals at the gym, and it did wonders for my confidence.
“In fact, it gave me the courage to eventually leave my unhappy marriage,” Stephanie added.
Twenty years into her fitness journey, Stephanie encountered a significant health obstacle.
“During the summer leading up to my 57th birthday, a Bone Mineral Density scan revealed that I had Osteoporosis in my spine and hip,” she explained.Â
“To add to the surprise, an endocrinologist diagnosed me with Celiac Disease.
“Astonishingly, despite almost 26 years of weightlifting, my bones had become as fragile as Swiss cheese.
“It turned out that gluten was the culprit, my endocrinologist advised me to continue weightlifting while completely eliminating gluten from my diet.”
Today, Finkel is osteoporosis-free and takes monthly medication to maintain her bone mass.
She meticulously trains one muscle group at a time, often dedicating up to 90 minutes to doing at least five sets of five different exercises.Â
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