It was 2019 when legendary actress Connie Ferguson's abs first broke the internet and formed a life of their own.
Since then, her abs have become the subject of many social media exchanges. At the start of our sit-down at the Kyalami Corner Virgin Active, minutes after a group leg workout session with her friends, I share with Connie how, earlier this year, a male acquaintance used her infamous abs to shame me for being unfit. "Suba weak (don't be weak)! If Connie Ferguson can have abs in her 50s, so can you!", commented this acquaintance to a picture of an out-ofbreath me sprawled on the gym floor halfway through a gruelling session. She laughs, disclosing that she too has heard of a few silly anecdotes about her abs.
If there's anyone who should let the ab narrative run straight to her head, it's definitely Connie. I mean, abs on a 53-year-old aren't a very common sight. Yet, she remains appreciative but totally unbothered by the aesthetics of it allchoosing instead to remind us that it takes longer to figure certain things out.
"I think people generally fold under pressure because we look at the next person and think for instance, 'they're 32 and seem to have it all figured out'. And you look at your own life and think you're failing. What we don't realise is that we all have our own stories and journeys - and that opportunities come to us in different ways. Just because you haven't had your chance, doesn't make you a failure." When your moment under the sun finally arrives, she continues, seize it with everything you have.
Preach! The lesson we're taking away from this: it's never too late to craft the life (and body) of your dreams, no matter your age. And no one embodies the above lesson better than Connie herself. Believe it or not, she only started exercising consistently in her late forties.
THE ROAD TO FITNESS...
Bu hikaye Women's Health South Africa dergisinin July - August 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Women's Health South Africa dergisinin July - August 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Irreconcilable Differences?
You’re one-upping your partner on all health fronts and now your relationship has more tension than your new resistance bands. Here’s how to get over the hurdle of mismatched goals.
Hot And Bothered
Inflammation is all the rage in health conversations right now and research is establishing it as a major player in all sorts of issues you don't want to deal with. But! You can safeguard yourself from the smokin' internal inferno with these smart strategies.
Self-esteem under the microscope
The term brings to mind positive-thinking memes with sunset backdrops and swirly lettering. But could I you sum up self-esteem when asked as part of a pub quiz? Didn't think so. And there's more at stake here than winning the points.
the reset
IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO START OVER
Mind Over Muscle
Could you level up your strength training just by putting your mind to it?
ON BEING THE HEROINE OF YOUR OWN LIFE
Olympian. All-African Games winner. African champion. Record-breaker. Javelin athlete Jo-Ané van Dyk talks mental fortitude and what it takes to live up to your own hype. If there's one thing she can do, it's to throw down. And it's all about to reach peak levels.
Why Women Are Choosing to Be Child-Free
The choice can be liberating, yet stigmas persist. Here, how to cut through the noise with clarity and confidence to make the decision that's right for *you.*
FUEL YOUR SKIN
Inside your body, there's a crew of unsung protein heroes that scientists believe are the key to a healthy, glowing complexion. Heads-up: your routine is about to change for the better.
How To Be Decisive
You could use a Magic 8 ball to help you make a choice. Or, while you're waiting to 'ask again later', let our experts explain the best ways to get unstuck.
Build A Strong Base
You heard it here: the pelvic floor is the forgotten core - and you're selling yourself short by waiting for a specific life stage to train it. Your four-move workout is here.
