G-OLDEN ERA
I’m a pensioner but look 20 years younger thanks to my toned tum and legs – I’m in better shape than women half my age
She had to undertake a gruelling seven-week diet and training regime
A BODYBUILDING mum has insisted she's more ripped than women half her age thanks to her toned tummy and legs at 68.
Pensioner Linda Young says she's regularly mistaken for someone in their early 50s thanks to her muscly arms and chiselled physique.
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The mum of two, from Glasgow, Scotland became a regular gym-goer after a hip replacement aged 65.
And her strength and commitment didn't go unnoticed by her personal trainer who suggested she should take up bodybuilding.
Linda said: "When my PT suggested it I fell about laughing - I thought it was a joke.
"He told me to think about it so I spoke to my husband, Peter, 68, and my kids - Jamie, 28, and Kirsty, 35 - and they said why don't I go for it.
"I then spoke to a posing coach and she said all I had to bring along was high heels and a bikini - I thought that was funny.
"So I had to source a diamanté bikini and these stripper-like heels - I thought I was out of my head.
"But I thought if I don't do it now, I'd never do it."
The fitness-mad mum then began her gruelling seven-week training camp.
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She reduced her food intake, underwent muscle and strength training and even attended posing classes to learn how to stand on stage.
The pilates teacher munched on salads, measured out her protein, drank lots of water and had no sugar or processed foods for seven weeks.
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She also had to buy her bikini, heels and layer up with three coats of fake tan.
She added: "In your prep, the week before the competition you cut out a lot and you're down to a litre a day and cutting out salt.
"It's all to see the muscles - there's a limit to how much you can show at 68 though.
"I had to work more on hamstrings and glutes and then more intense work on the back to show off those muscles too."
Linda entered the 'Women's Bikini 50+' category at UKUP Scottish Regional in Rutherglen Town Hall in Glasgow on April 28 - as it catered for "the oldest" she could find.
She strutted down the centre of the stage with confidence before posing and flexing her muscles - and even took him a silver medal.
"It was fabulous. People I hadn't even met before were coming up to me saying I was an inspiration", she said.
"Lots of people have said they want to try it now and it's been really good. If you're in the position, go for it.
"Don't let age put you off."
Linda's competition prep
After signing up for the competition, Linda had just seven weeks to get ready.
She said: "Some of the coaching sessions were quite difficult to nail down the poses.
"My husband would come home from work and I'd be strutting up and down the hall practicing in a pair of four or five-inch heels.
"The food plan was reduced a lot so that was tricky too - I had protein drinks, vitamins, salads, lean protein, black coffee and no alcohol, cake or sweets.
"My treat was two squares of 70 per cent cocoa chocolate."
But Linda was still full of nerves on the day, as she added: "You're lined up at the front with the rest of the females.
"At this stage, it was my worst nightmare as I was standing next to some 35 to 40-year-olds.
"Then you have to show the glutes, the hamstrings and the lats to the judges all whilst trying to keep eye contact with the judges - it's a lot to remember."
"In the 50+ there were only two competitors and I came second but she was 58 and had done it before", she continued.
"The judge commented on stage that I was the oldest competitor they'd had.
"He said it in a nice way and everyone was clapping."
I had to source a diamanté bikini and these stripper-like heels - I thought I was out of my head
Linda Young
Despite the success of her first competition, Linda she'll likely hang her bodybuilding heels up soon.
She revealed: "If I was maybe just five years younger I'd give it another go.
"I went into training for me and my health and the bodybuilding was chucked in at the last minute.
"Everyone there was so respectful but I still need to be realistic. I had lots of fun and learned lots about my body.
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"I started laughing when my coach suggested it but don't dismiss it right away.
"When you stop and think about it, you think 'yeah, I can do it.'"
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