Lolo Jones In Workout Gear Says “I’m Not Retiring”

Olympian Lolo Jones refuses to be pressured into retiring from professional sports before she’s ready to step down. Jones, 41, posted a video of herself wearing shorts and a tank top, dancing in her kitchen. “Retirement for an athlete is a very personal thing. And it’s not as linear as people think. Jordan retired twice so did Tom Brady. There can be a gray area. So I’m on here to say I will retire when I want to. Not because it’s uncomfortable for people to see a 41 year old pro female athlete. I’m not retiring this year. For all those that sent me positive messages and helped me break history thank you 🙏🏽,” she captioned the post. Here’s how the athlete is still on top of her game in her 40s.

1. Journaling For Mental Health

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Journaling helps Jones work through her emotions. “I’m big on journaling,” she told SELF. “There have been so many moments in my life where I just wanted to scream because I’ve been so angry, and just being able to journal and let it all out and let my raw emotions [out]—where tears are just dripping on the pages—has been really therapeutic and has given me hindsight to look back and see what I’ve overcome.”

2. Fertility Journey

Jones froze her eggs in hopes of having children one day. "Being a good mom is very difficult, especially in today's society,” she told Good Morning America. “And so, it has me nervous. Like, do I have the capabilities, the skill set to care for someone? But I'd like a chance… You keep having hope that you're gonna meet someone and then every year that goes by, you're like, 'Oh, I'm not, like, meeting my husband,' like, you start to get more anxious.”

3. Entertainment Inspiration

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Jones is constantly inspired by movies and music. “We forget how impactful movies can be, but I can think about how Cool Runnings inspired me to be a bobsledder, and that’s just a funny little silly Disney movie,” she told SELF. “Movies are powerful. I even listened to a Lady Gaga song the other day that was super inspirational: ‘Million Reasons.’ You can get your inspiration from anywhere. Even [small] things help get the ball rolling because momentum builds momentum.”

4. Meeting the Right Person

Jones is not willing to wait for the perfect relationship in order to have kids. “This is the thing about egg freezing that people should know: It is not a guarantee to have a kid,” she told Good Morning America. “Trust me, I've been on some amazing dates, it just ... has not worked out. But if the right person is for me, they will be willing to stick through it all. I want a guy who's gonna love me through it all.”

5. Support and Friendship

Jones knows how important support and friendship is. “Right after I lost the 2008 Olympics, I went back to the [Olympic] Village and I just kept crying,” she told SELF. “I was almost going to stay in my bed and keep crying the whole night, but instead, I got out and hung out with another friend and teammate, and it helped my mood shift completely. It doesn’t have to be this dramatic thing. It can just be surrounding yourself with friends. You can have a complete attitude shift.”

At 41, Lolo Jones thought competing would be behind her, but the pro athlete is giving it one more shot. The three-time Olympian is back in training hoping to earn a spot in the upcoming Summer Olympics, in Paris.“I thought I’d be retired by now, but my coach is like, ‘let’s give it. [this] last push,' she recently told Oklahoma local station KFOR at a Salvation Army charity event. "All I know is my body’s still able to run,” she said. “I’m still able to physically do this and mentally love it. Not burned out. So why not?” Jones, a champion hurdler and bobsledder who is among the few athletes to compete in both the Winter and Summer Olympics, still enjoys training and told CITIUS MAG she's on the "Tom Brady retirement plan." Jones might be older than other athletes she's up against but is unfazed. "41. They said you are washed up," she wrote on Instagram. "They said the best years are behind you. This is the most confident I’ve ever been in any season of my life. Thank you for all the bday wishes and supporting me all these years on my journey." Read on to see how she stays fit and the swimsuit photos to prove they work.

1. She Does a Variety of Intense Exercises

To target every muscle in her body, Jones mixes up her workouts and gave fans a look in various videos at how she stays in shape, showing off several moves that are listed below.

What the Expert Says: "Lolo Jones' workouts incorporate a variety of exercises that target different muscle groups, providing a well-rounded full-body workout," ACE-certified trainer and nutritionist Mary Sabat MS, RDN, LD says. Here's a breakdown of the muscles she's likely working.

• V-Ups (Abs): This exercise primarily targets the rectus abdominis (the "six-pack" muscles) and engages the hip flexors.
• Push-Ups: Push-ups are great for the chest (pectoral muscles), shoulders (deltoids), and triceps.
• Air Squats: Air squats work the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes, helping to strengthen the lower body.
• Jumping Lunges: Jumping lunges challenge the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes while also incorporating cardiovascular benefits.
• Burpees: Burpees are a full-body exercise that combines strength and cardio. They work the chest, shoulders, triceps, core, and legs.
• Hollow Rocks: Hollow rocks target the entire core, including the rectus abdominis, obliques, and lower back muscles.
• Jump Lunges: Similar to regular lunges, jump lunges engage the lower body muscles while adding a plyometric element for extra intensity.
• Sit-Ups: Sit-ups primarily work the rectus abdominis and hip flexors."

2. She Doesn't Make Excuses

Jones has experienced heartbreaking defeat in her career, but she doesn't let it define her. She uses failure as motivation and pushes herself to move forward and train, even when she doesn't want to. She works out six days a week and will squeeze in a session anywhere including the beach. Here's just one of her many workouts.

Five Rounds

• ⁣5 V-ups
• 10 push-ups
• 15 air squats

⁣Four Rounds

• ⁣8 handstand push-ups, ⁣
• 20 jumping lunges ⁣

Three Rounds

• ⁣15 box jumps⁣
• 15 hollow rocks ⁣

Two Rounds

• 20 Jumping squats⁣
• 30 sit-ups⁣

⁣One Round

• 50 burpees ⁣

What the Expert Says: "Lolo Jones' beach workout appears to be a well-rounded routine targeting various muscle groups," Sabat says. But for anyone who doesn't work out professionally, she suggests approaching [these moves] with caution, especially if they're new to certain exercises. It's important to prioritize proper form, consider individual fitness levels, and make adjustments as needed to prevent injury and ensure a safe and effective workout."

3. Her Workouts are Effective

All workouts are not created equal. Not all exercise will give you the results you're looking for, but Jones has learned what works for her and has go-to workouts like circuit training that you don't need a gym for.

What the Expert Says: According to Sabat, "Lolo's workout seems effective as it includes a mix of exercises that target various muscle groups and incorporate both bodyweight strength training and cardio. It provides a good balance between upper body, lower body, and core exercises, promoting overall strength and fitness."

4. She Does Handstand Push-Ups

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Jones has impressive upper-body strength and does handstand push-ups, which take time to develop due to the balancing and coordination needed to properly perform the move. Of course, Jones makes it look easy, but it's definitely not for everyone.

What the Expert Says: "The handstand push-up is an advanced exercise that heavily engages the shoulders, particularly the deltoids," Sabat says. "They also work the triceps and upper chest." However, Sabat warns, "Handstand push-ups require proper form and adequate strength. Beginners or those unfamiliar with these movements might be at risk of injury if they attempt them without proper guidance."

5. She Does High Reps

High reps are good for building muscle, endurance, and strength. To achieve the level of fitness Jones needs to be at to compete, she does each move several times, according to her Instagram video that lists the following:

• Three sets of 20 lunges
• Three sets of 15 air squats
• Three sets of 10 leg raises
• Three sets of 10 diamond push-ups
• Three sets of 15 calf raises
• Three sets of 15 push-ups
• Three sets of 20 sit-ups

What the Expert Says: While this workout is great for Jones, others should proceed with caution, Sabat warns. "The workout includes high repetition counts, which can be demanding on the muscles and joints. Individuals should ensure they have appropriate conditioning before attempting this workout."

6. She Bakes High Protein, Low Carb Muffins

In addition to working out, Jones is careful about what she eats, although he does indulge in pizza and candy, but includes high-protein snacks like bars or blueberry muffins in her diet.

• 1/2 cup Kodiak cakes baking mix⁣
• 2 scoops Level-1 Blueberry Muffin protein (linked in bio)⁣
• 1/2 cup blueberries⁣
• 2 extra ripe bananas (mashed)⁣
• 1 egg, 2 egg whites⁣
• 1/2 cup stevia⁣
• 1 tsp baking powder⁣
• 2 tbsp light sour cream⁣
• 3/4 tsp of cinnamon⁣
• ⁣Crumble on top:⁣
• 1 scoop Level-1 Vanilla Ice Cream ⁣
• 1/4 cup flour⁣
• 2 Tbsp soft Butter⁣

⁣What the Expert Says: "The muffin recipe seems to offer a balance between protein, carbohydrates, and healthy ingredients," Sabat says. " The inclusion of protein powder and eggs makes these muffins a good option for those looking to increase their protein intake; however a clean protein powder should be substituted." Sabat breaks down the ingredients and further explains why this is a healthy snack.

• "Kodiak Cakes Baking Mix: This mix is known for being a whole grain, high-protein pancake and waffle mix. It adds texture and a source of whole grains to the muffins. It is not however gluten free or dairy free so there are better ways to make these muffins. It is a processed food with an extensive ingredient list.
• Level-1 Blueberry Muffin Protein: This protein powder adds flavor and protein content to the muffins, contributing to muscle recovery and satiety. The protein powder however has a lot of harmful ingredients such as sucrose, acesulfame potassium as well as dyes and other harmful chemicals. She could do much better by using a clean protein powder.
• Blueberries: Blueberries are rich in antioxidants and add natural sweetness and flavor to the muffins.
• Bananas: Mashed bananas provide natural sweetness and moisture, and are a source of vitamins and minerals.
• Egg and Egg Whites: Eggs are a good source of protein and healthy fats. Using both whole eggs and egg whites balances the protein and fat content.
• Stevia: Stevia is a natural sweetener with a low glycemic index, which can help reduce added sugars in the recipe.
• Baking Powder: Baking powder is a leavening agent that helps the muffins rise and become fluffy.
• Light Sour Cream: Light sour cream adds moisture and a creamy texture to the muffins.
• Cinnamon: Cinnamon adds warmth and flavor to the muffins, and it also has potential health benefits.

She adds, "Overall, Lola Jones' muffin recipe appears to have better macros compared to traditional muffins, given its protein content and use of natural sweeteners. However, the use of the protein powder with so many artificial sweeteners and other dangerous ingredients along with the processed Kodiak cake baking mix takes away from these muffins being a healthy option. Nutrition is not just about the macros but also about the quality of the food being prepared."

Lita Lewis, a popular fitness trainer and mother of two, is known for motivating her followers on social media to find balance between parenthood and staying fit. In an Instagram post from August, Lewis shared a relatable moment when she tried to squeeze in an ab workout while her kids slept, only for them to wake up unexpectedly. She encouraged other parents to keep going, writing, "Full-time mamas, juggling full-time work - I see you!! Keep the good fight going.” Her post highlights the daily challenges of motherhood while staying committed to fitness. Through her personal journey, Lewis shares valuable insights on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, embracing setbacks, and finding grace in balancing family and self-care.

1. She Works Hard

Lewis makes sure to stay consistent when it comes to fitness. She shared her transformation in this Instagram post. Lewis captioned it, “The biggest challenge post challenge, is the maintenance. I love that a good challenge acts as a reset, and it was exactly what I needed but maintaining something that required my best step forward every single day has been tough. My mantra these days is.. if my best is 40% and I gave it, I gave 100%. Dear mamas, show yourselves constant grace. Beating yourself up for everything you didn’t do serves nobody.”

2. She Works Her Lower Body

Lewis makes sure to do lower body workouts. She shared some of her favorites in this Instagram video. In it, Lewis is seen doing side lunges, step ups, and seated deadlifts. She captioned the post, “DAY ✌🏽 of the 40 HARD CHALLENGE !! And my workout today was a no jump lower body routine aimed to keep my booty from dropping 🫠😆To our @bounceforwardclub members, I’ll be posting this one in our Long Form Workouts tonight! 😉”

3. She Lifts Weights

Lewis likes to lift weights to stay in shape. She shared some of her favorite workouts in this Instagram post. Lewis captioned it, “This mama is still at it (when I can and when I have the energy to) and getting it done at home 😆😎I managed just 2 SETS before those burpees forced me to take a seat 😏 * 1st Set, rep count as shown in this reel 10-20-10-20 * 2nd Set, switch the rep count, meaning end with 10 over the bar burpees, 20-10-20-10.”

4. She Doesn’t Pressure Herself

Lewis isn’t pressuring herself to lose the baby weight. She talked about this in the caption of this Instagram post. “Baby #2 Postpartum is just.. different 😆I’ve not put any stress and pressure on myself to lose what I’ve gained and if I’m being honest, it’s simply because I’ve been too tied up with other priorities to think too much of it, ha! However, I do miss the health benefits and increased energy that regular movement provides me. So, there’s that! That’s been my most driving force of motivation..Wanting to increase my energy & strength!!”

5. She Embraces Failure

Lewis doesn’t let failure get to her. She talked about this in the caption of this Instagram post. “For sure, I fail more than I actually succeed these days, and that’s okay. It’s been a highly blessed year but also the most challenging year of my life thus far. As I struggle through discovering my new identity I’m also empowered by my new reasons.”

Track and bobsled Lolo Jones is proud that at 41 she is still out there running and competing—and she wants to inspire other women to do the same. Jones shared a video of herself wearing a blue tracksuit, her hair braided with a bandana on. “I looked at all the younger athletes getting their legs worked on before the race and I told the trainer ‘forget my legs my back feels like a toddler has been stomping on it 😂😂😭’ In that moment I was like girl. You old. 😵‍💫 But we out here. Fighting. If I can go out there and race pro athletes some younger than me by ten years, please challenge yourself to do great things in your 40, 50s, and on. You got this 😤,” she captioned the post. Here’s how Jones is living her best life in her 40s.

1. Discipline Over Motivation

Jones’ exercise consists of a combination of weight training, cardio, and hill training. “Nobody’s happy to work out,” she told Red Bull. “You’re happy when you finish. I’m just like everybody else. There are days when I don’t wanna get out of bed and other times when I wanna work out.”

2. Protein Smoothies

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Jones makes protein shakes with strawberries, banana, spinach, protein powder, ice, and honey. “To kind of make ends meet while I trained, I worked at a gym, making protein shakes,” she told TODAY. “And little did I know … it's key for an athlete to have a protein shake within 15 to 20 minutes after a workout… The key about spinach is, they say you can add it to any protein shake and you won't tell the difference. You can taste it a little bit. They lied, but it's really healthy for you.”

3. Mind Over Matter

Jones has her own method of getting through injuries. “Injuries are tough because you’re physically hurt and out of the game, it actually starts to take a toll on you mentally,” she told Red Bull. “So even when you are healed, you still have a mental blockage that you have to repair as well. I do a lot of visualizations during the time that I’m injured so if I can’t hurdle, I’m visualizing that I can hurdle. I feel that it gives you just enough sharpness so that when you do return, you don’t have those re-injury fears as much.”

4. No More Eggs!

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Jones has one food she swears she will never eat again. “The thing I probably will never have again after I'm done with the Olympics is hard boiled eggs,” she told TODAY. “For the last I don't know how many years, hard boiled eggs (have) been in my breakfast. I take the yolk out. And I never want another hard boiled egg again in my life ever. I don't even care if it's Easter. No hard boiled eggs.”

5. Dark Chocolate With Almonds

Jones is all about making healthy substitutions over denying herself treats. “I have a really big sweet tooth so what I’ve done is moved into healthier options,” she told Red Bull. “I love chocolate so I moved to dark chocolate with almonds because both of those have health benefits. I didn’t like the dark chocolate at first but as I’ve gotten used to it, now I love it. Just work on the little things.”