Woman, 70, Loses 41 kg, Takes Up Powerlifting
A former children«s hospital nurse, 70-year-old Galina Simonova from Perm looks great for her age. She is a sporty and fit woman. But five years ago, Galina weighed over 100 kilograms. She admits she let herself go while caring for her relatives: first, her mother had cancer, and several years ago, her husband suffered a heart attack and several clinical deaths. The woman nursed her husband back to health, never leaving his side for a moment.
Later, at her daughter«s urging, the pensioner tried going to a gym in a neighboring building to »stretch out her aching back« and... literally transformed. Galina slimmed down to 59 kilograms, won at regional powerlifting competitions, can pull a passenger car, and went skydiving at age 70. We spoke with her about what helped her change so dramatically.
Support for her husband after heart attack and clinical death
In her youth, Galina worked as a nurse in a children«s hospital. At the same time, she cared for her mother, who had cancer. Later, she left the hospital and became a cashier at a transport department. After retiring, she also worked as a leading specialist at an insurance company. Galina»s eldest son is 52, her daughter is 42, and her second son is 40.
In 2019, Galina«s husband Alexander suffered a heart attack and experienced several clinical deaths. Doctors saved him, but Alexander lost the ability to walk, and his right arm was paralyzed. Alexander had been a driver, and after what happened, he had to give up his job.
«Of course, my husband»s memory is not great now. He remembers some things occasionally, forgets others,« shares Galina. »I went to church, prayed all the time, in general... we keep living. At first, my husband was bedridden, and I had to turn him over by myself, change his diapers, feed him. I gave him massages on his arm and leg for hours, hoping he could at least lift them a little, so at least his fingers would move a bit, not just hang like rags.«
Galina«s persistence paid off. Alexander managed to move into a wheelchair. The couple supports each other greatly.
«A gym right next door»
Over time, Galina began to experience back pain because she often had to turn her husband over to care for him.
«My back would sort of give out,» Galina admits. «My arms and joints started hurting. I thought, »Oh, that«s all I needed.» And my daughter told me, «Mom, you don»t look like yourself. They«re opening a gym right next door, go there.»«
Galina decided to go for a workout. She admits that she was afraid to «step over herself at such an age». Her first thoughts were that «only young people go to the gym.»
«I wasn»t so much afraid of my size as embarrassed about my age. Like, they«d think, »Granny«s here,»« she shares. »Trainer Vlad cheered me on. But I thought he was thinking, «Well, this grandma will come a few times and quit.» And I«m so stubborn—if I start something, I finish it. So I started gradually. It was hard, honestly. Everything ached terribly. I got injured a few times because I threw myself into everything with enthusiasm. Like when I started jumping rope, I pulled my arm, then I twisted my leg. Well, in general, my daughter told me, »You«re not doing this for anyone else; you»re doing it for yourself and your health.«»
At that point, Galina weighed 100 kilograms. She wasn«t particularly ashamed of her weight and occasionally tried diets and jogging, but it was irregular—she lacked willpower. At the gym, trainer Vladislav Chertkov (previously we wrote an article about him: he also managed to lose a lot of weight and opened his own fitness club. — Editor»s note) taught Galina self-discipline.
In the first six months, the weight came off very quickly. She lost 12–15 kilograms in six months of training, and then the weight «plateaued.»
«Vlad says to me, »Okay, Galina, let«s review your diet,» because I was eating everything that wasn«t nailed down,» Galina recalls. «I started reporting calories, tracking what I could and couldn»t have, but there were no harsh restrictions. They gave me a calorie allowance for my age—2,000 calories. I wasn«t supposed to exceed that.»
Lost 41 kilograms and earned the title of Master of Sports
In 2023, Galina slimmed down to 59 kilograms. She says sticking to a disciplined diet wasn«t easy, but the result depends precisely on willpower.
«I used to love condensed milk so much; I wanted to secretly scarf down a jar somewhere under the covers so no one would see. But that would be deceiving myself,» says Galina. «You can find alternatives—honey, berries, sweeteners. Dates or prunes. All those cravings are all in your head.»
Galina admits that over time she wanted to «try something new,» and her trainer suggested entering a regional powerlifting tournament. There, unexpectedly, she placed and became a Master of Sports of International Class, meeting all the standards.
«It was important for me to prove to myself that I wasn»t a complete weakling,« says Galina. »Before the tournament, my trainer suggested, «Try lifting the weight at least 20 times, and we»ll see how it goes.« I did 20 reps and thought, I still have strength left. Well, in the end, I lifted that barbell 44 times and set a record for the Perm region in my weight category.»
At that competition, Galina was awarded the title of Master of Sports of International Class in deadlift, and she set a record by lifting a 55-kilogram barbell.
«I felt such support there! The spectators and participants treat people of that age with great reverence,» Galina recalls. «They cheer so touchingly, even though they»re complete strangers. Now I«m trying bench press—lifting the barbell on a bench—but I need to take a lighter weight, 35 kilograms for women. I thought pressing while lying down would be easy. Turns out it»s harder.«
Celebrated her 70th birthday under a parachute canopy
Now Galina weighs 69 kilograms, and she«s comfortable at this weight. The woman enjoys noticing the changes in her appearance.
«I»ve gained strength; now I have a beautiful back and shoulders, which I never had before,« she says. »I won«t say they»re like a young woman«s, but my arm looks nice, and the muscle tone is completely different. Plus, healthy eating, and we added cardio. My daughter and I go to the pool. I»ve started running a bit at the stadium; in spring I run along the embankment. My blood pressure has normalized, and my shortness of breath is gone. Before, I could only run half a lap and then catch my breath. Now I can run all six laps without stopping.«
Recently, Galina was given a bicycle, and she enjoys riding around the city. Last year, the fitness club team gave Galina a tandem skydive from 2.5 kilometers for her 70th birthday.
«So many emotions, so many congratulations. I chose a solo jump,» Galina recounts. «I didn»t want to sit on a young instructor«s lap and just admire the sky.»
In May of this year, «just for herself,» Galina wanted to try pulling a passenger car with straps and dragging it a few meters. «I did it!» the interlocutor doesn«t hide her joy.
«Like-minded people are the main thing»
Galina believes that losing weight is patience, hard work, effort, and also discipline, diet, and regular training. Only then will you get the desired result.
«And you have to be prepared for everything to ache,» she shares. «The most important thing is the desire to train and live. I»ve tried many times to lure my peers to the gym, but so far without success.«
The fitness club Galina attends has two other women of retirement age. Previously, both did yoga.
«Their flexibility is excellent. At 62, one stretches beautifully; she lifts her legs like a ballerina,» Galina says admiringly.
At the fitness club, a community has formed. Last New Year, members celebrated right in the gym. Trainer Vladislav Chertkov organized a small fashion show for everyone. Galina wore a fitted black dress and high heels. She received applause, and Galina herself burst into tears of happiness.
«Like-minded people are the most important thing; such support energizes you for a long time,» says Galina, smiling.
