Sheryl Crow ... 50 and Smokin' Hot

Did you know that Sheryl Crow is 50 years old? I don't know why I didn't realize that ... after all, Gerardo and I have been HUGE fans of Sheryl since way back when. It was about 25 years ago when we went to our first Sheryl Crow concert together at The Whiskey. She was just starting to explode onto the scene and her parents were in the audience cheering her on. So sweet.

Last night, Gerardo and I had a complete and total blast watching Sheryl in concert again. And what a thrill it was to be able to meet and visit with her before the show. She was so nice. A class act all the way.

So why do I bring up Sheryl's age? Well ... because for the longest time I just assumed that she was younger than me. The way she looks, her vitality, the way she dresses, her whole package ... this shot below isn't the best one because it's a bit blurry but the way she sings, the way she tells her stories ... she is mesmerizing.

She's been through a lot too. Breast cancer. Relationship challenges. Single motherhood. And now some additional health challenges which I believe she'll power through. The way she talks about all of these things ... it's so easy ... so real ... she doesn't hide or mask her stories. They are there.

I'll be daring and end by posting this final photo below ...
Sheryl Crow.
50 years old and smokin' hot.

I posted this photo earlier today on my Instagram and it caused a bit of a stir ... causing some digs about Sheryl. Mainly about how it's easy to be this fit if you've never birthed a child and if you have money to invest in personal training.

Blah, blah, blah.

Similar digs are said about Jennifer Hudson. I've heard it. "Oh if I had money and an endorsement contract, I'd lose weight too." Um ... on the count of three, let's think of celebrities who have been given endorsement deals by Jenny Craig and such and have not come close to what Jennifer Hudson has done. Ready? One, two, three.

Ok ... more ...

On the count of three, think of a woman who hasn't given birth, and who has money but still hasn't gotten fit. Ready? One, two, three.

Now, on the count of three, think of a woman with a moderate income who has given birth but who has gotten fit. Ready? One, two, three.

The thing is, there are always examples that prove the digs right, and also examples that prove the digs downright wrong.

I remember after I had my babies in my social worker days, I spent something like 200 bucks to buy a Nordic Trak machine and worked my tail off on that machine for weeks on end to lose the pregnancy weight. It was a lot of money to spend back then for me. And I remember a colleague who said to me "Well, if I had access to a machine like that, I'd be able to lose weight too."

The gall.

It made me so mad. Because it's not that I had access to a machine that she could never have access to. She could have sacrificed things she was spending money on to buy a Nordic Trak or a treadmill or a gym membership or a flippin' jump rope for Pete's sake. It was really her discounting the discipline, hard work, the grit that it took for me to coordinate putting my newborn in an automated swing, settting my toddler up with a Barney video, while I got my soft, pudgy body onto the thing that I decided to invest in for 30 minutes every day, to lose my pregnancy weight. It was so hard.

One of the first things I have people do in my Crafting Fitness class is to identify who their fitness role model is. And people come up with all sorts of people. It's one of my favorite parts of the class because fitness role models come in differnet sizes, shapes, ages, professions, and walks of life. Role models give us hope. They inspire us. They motivate us. I've had several over the years. Some celebrities, some friends, some strangers who don't realize I am in awe of them at the gym. And the thing is, who motivates me is different from who motivates you ... as it should be.

I guess this is a long way of sayinng that in this season of my life, Sheryl has become my new fitness role model. She gives me hope that I can not only succeed in successfully fighting for fitness in my 40s, but well into my 50s and beyond. And regardless of what kinds of comforts or advantages we may assume she has, I also know she has discomforts and disadvantages that only she knows about.

But I know this. She's 50 and looks better than many 20-somethings and 30-somethings. And if she can do it, I know others can do it too.

So ... what about you? Who's your fitness role model? Who gives you hope, inspires you, motivates you, and challenges you to aim for optimum fitness in your season of life?

Comments

[Ellen]

Thanks Jenny! I remember when I first became diabetic(Type 1) and my sister in law said being thin was easy for me. I was shocked. There was nothing easy about what I had gone through.

Cheryl is to be admired! I think overall the general public sees a celebrity has it easier... Yes, they might have a personal chef, a fitness trainer, and gym in their house, and etc. But, they still have to perform and the limelight is constantly on them.

I have thyroid disease now and find this is my biggest hurdle. I guess my fitness celebrities are Mary-Louise Parker and Salma Hayek. Mary-Louise has thyroid disease and Salma(my body type).

Thank you for sharing! I love Sheryl Crowe and admire her spirit~ How fun getting to meet her! ;D

[Kerri Stabile]

Awesome post Jenny. It's easier to make excuses than to do the work. It IS hard. And YOU are one of my role models...not just for fitness, but for fashion and creativity. I love your style, and your drive toward being your best self. Thank you.

[Colette]

Yes, well, I'm sure if these naysayers had the same talent, they'd be singing too.... I don't have a fitness celebrity model, but Ms Crowe will do just fine!

[Liv Lane]

What a fun experience! I like your viewpoint here. Yes, no matter how much money you have, it still takes willpower, discipline and confidence to stay that fit. Definitely helps, I'm sure, to have personal chefs and access to expensive trainers, too - but in the end, any self-improvement is always up to yourSELF. :)

[Ellen]

I wanted to add...
Thank you for reminding us...I'm putting you and Sheryl on my fridge, screw aging gracefully! I'm going out kicking, punching and riding my bike up a hill ;D (I've haven't reached my 1000 ml goal, yet...but I'm still in the race).

[Tammy]

What a great post! She is smoking HOT at any age but 50 is amazing! She looks years younger. I love this photo of you 3, too. What a fun time for you guys.

Thanks for the 1, 2, 3 counts below her image. It is so true that we so often say if I...blah blah blah. I say it's envy and jealousy. Just do it already and be done with it!

Have a wonderful day!
Tammy

[Karne]

Thank you for posting this. I am approaching my 44th birthday and have spent the last year trying so hard to make a body that had not had a regular form of exercise in 11 years change. I had hoped it would get easier, but it is still hard. I spent the last 8 days wallowing in self pity at the slowness of this process and only exercising 3 of those days and allowing myself to eat pretty poorly. Thank you for validating the "hard" work that goes into good health. Thank you-you have motivated me to get off my butt and continue doing something for myself.