At 75, Janice Lorraine may be Australia’s oldest bodybuilder but she’s a keen competitor and one who says she has no plans to slow down.
Ms Lorraine, a grandmother from Granville, Sydney, took up bodybuilding at the age of 55 and already has a stunning 23 titles to her name.
She will take to the stage again in 2019 to compete in another natural body building competition – and will likely be the eldest in her category.
And while winning awards keeps her focused, she said her main goal is smashing perceptions of ageing.
Recently, she shared her training regime, her ‘nude food’ approach to diet and why she thinks it’s important to be a role model to all women.
77-year-old Janice Lorraine, from Granville, Sydney (pictured) has a stunning 23 titles to her name
‘My aim is to show what’s possible and to motivate and encourage women of any age, to live the life they want to live and not be bound by traditional stereotypes and roles and the expectations of others,’ the former psychologist told The Daily Telegraph.
Ms Lorraine said she first turned to bodybuilding 20 years ago as a way to stave off frailty that comes with retirement.
She shared that her light-bulb moment came after watching an older woman struggling to walk without help and said this pushed her to make a decision to not become ‘like her’.
Ms Lorraine shared her light-bulb moment came after watching an older woman struggling to walk without help
Her new resolve led her to ‘marching into the male-dominated weights room’ and start Weight Resistance Training (WRT).
‘I had heard that WRT was good for bone density and that it had been shown to be effective in preventing osteoporosis and so, in January 1998 I began WRT and decided that I would become a natural bodybuilder,’ she told the publication.
Ms Lorraine explained she worked hard for 15 months at first before she competed in a competition in Sydney in 1999.
Since that day, the active grandmother has competed in many competitions and has taken out Ms Universe, Ms World and Ms Olympia titles in her time.
The competitive body builder said her diet consisted of ‘natural nude food’ which means it is served without condiments or sauces
Like any competitor, a strict diet and workout regime ensures she’s in top form.
Ms Lorraine’s focus is heavily directed toward health and fitness, so it should come as no surprise the 75-year-old eats well whether she is in competition mode or not.
She shared her diet consists of what she calls ‘natural nude food’. This is food that is served without condiments or sauces.
Her diet is mainly comprised of unprocessed food, salads and a small piece of microwaved sweet potato.
Protein is a combination of either grilled chicken, grilled fish and eye fillet steak.
Treats come in the form of one biscuit and one square of 90 per cent sugar-free chocolate per day.
Takeaway meals are strictly off the menu, but she said her evening meal comes with a glass of wine.
Ms Lorraine’s diet includes a single square of 90 per cent sugar-free chocolate per day (pictured left) and a glass of wine enjoyed with meals (pictured right)
Ms Lorraine also revealed details of her intensive training regime – one that sees her working out up to six times a week.
She said on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays she trains at the gym to work out her major muscle groups.
On alternate days (i.e Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday) she will do an 8km walk as well as 30 full push-ups, 30 tricep push-ups, 30 back leg raises (10 for each leg and 10 together) and two minutes of ab work.
The body builder’s intensive exercise regime sees her hit the gym three times a week to work out major muscle groups
Although Ms Lorraine admitted she is often the eldest in her category at competitions, age isn’t a factor she lets slow her down.
If anything she uses her visibility on the stage to show other women that its possible for them to live the life they want without being bound by traditional ideas.
My aim is to show what’s possible and to motivate and encourage women of any age
‘My aim is not to rival those younger than me. My aim is to show what’s possible and to motivate and encourage women of any age,’ she said.
She is looking at competing at the end of 2019, just after she turns 77.
Standing by Ms Lorraine’s side is her partner of 27 years. And while he may be 24 years younger than her, the pair have what she described as an ‘amazing’ relationship.
‘When I compete in competitions in Australia and abroad, people say that they’re amazed to see a woman over 50 wearing a bikini,’ Ms Lorraine said
Speaking to Daily Mail Australia previously, Ms Lorraine said she is determined to ‘make a statement’ and to do as much as she can to change perceptions of ageing.
‘When I compete in competitions in Australia and abroad, people say that they’re amazed to see a woman over 50 wearing a bikini.
‘I don’t know when I’ll stop bodybuilding,’ she said.
‘I’ll keep going until I no longer want to. I’m out to make a statement. I’m trying to change people’s perception of what a 70-something-year-old should be.
‘I think my bodybuilding is a great message to put out there.’