Fittness after 40 .. Okay, 50 --"Come on man, we can do this!"
65
http://hubpages.com/hub/The-President-With-No-Pants
I'm guess I'm targeting middle age and older people in this hub, but old or young, you need to work out. My friends, listen to me, you are never too old to work out, and it's never too late. I see people that work harder than I do just getting from their car into the gym. Some are old, and some are young with crippling diseases. The human will is unstoppable.
I've been working out a long time. (Sorta ). I was an athlete in my school days, and spent a lot of time in the gym. I was in a very bad car accident when I was twenty which ended my college football. I was good enugh that I probably would have gone high first round, low second round draft pro. Probably. maybe. who knows? There's the big if, and if my aunt had balls she'd be my uncle. Anyway, in my mid twenty's, I was busy working my way up the cooperate ladder with a very aggressive company in the home improvements industry. In my mid thirties, I had my own business. My gym work was sporadic .. either heavy or non existent through out these periods.
When I hit forty, I was looking at my naked body in the mirror after getting out the shower one evening, and I realized that all the physical attributes I had enjoyed and taken for granted all my life, were falling. Not bad, but that boyish figure I'd always enjoyed, didn't look very boyish. Fraking out, I joined Gold's Gym the next day, and never looked back. I have worked out no less than five, and usually six days a week ever since. I'm fifty-"caugh" years old now, and I actually have a better body now than I did when I was twenty five-thirty. My mantra is "Age No Factor"
I start out by stretching, then I do my abs. After that I do calves. (these are the only two muscle groups that you can work out daily.) The actual work out (weights and machines) takes about forty five minutes, then I hit the racquetball court for twenty minutes or so. I finish by running wind sprints for ten minutes. When I played foot ball, I could shoulder press 190 lbs. . I broke 235 lbs. a while back. Pretty crazy .
Please don't think I bragging. Wait a minute ... who am I kidding ? Of course I'm bragging. I've worked my ass off. But I hope I accomplish something beyond that that in this hub. I'm very big on testing my limits. In fact, sometimes I think I compete with ghosts. I've met and worked with a lot of people at the gym over the years. People have a tendency to accept aging. I know aging is a fact of life, but that doesn't mean you have to surrender to it.
I had a well intending older guy tell me one time that I needed to take it a little easier. I asked him why. He said, " You're not as young as you used to be. You can hurt your self." I asked him, "Hurt myself? How?" to which he replied, " I dunno, tear a muscle or something." I told him that if I tore a muscle, I'd recover from that. (I have had some injuries) But what I've gained between a few minor injuries, I could never recover by taking it easy.
I'm not a physical therapist, but I've been doing this for a long time. All I'm saying is if you don't go to the gym on a regular basis, but have considered it, take a look at some of the benefits of resistance training with a good cardio program.
1. Increase bone mineral density
2. Increase Strength
3. Increase range of activities
4. Reduce body$fat "nbsp; (even a slight increase in muscle mass requires your body to up it's metabolism. You burn more calories sitting in a chair.)
5. Improve heart condition by lowering blood pressure and standing heart rate.
6. Increase energy
There are many other benifits of course. When you start seeing progress, you start building a possitive mental attitude, followed by increased confidence. A lot more than muscle grows when you get down to the gym! I'm talking confidence. Mind and body, bodyand mind. Know what I'm saying? One more thing, I'm no genius, but I know it makes our blood flow, and all our bodies healing miracles are in that blood.
And women, I don't want to hear it. You won't look like a man by hitting the weights. God made you beautifully different than a man. You will develop good muscle tone, and that's hot.
I remind you, I'm not professional in this area, but I have a fair amount of common sense and I know how it's benefited me. When you start out, spend a few bucks and get a trainer. So many people want results fast, and when that doesn't happen, they give up. Make working out a way of life. It doesn't take forever to see results, but like anything else, you get out of it what you put into it. Don't join a gym to socialize. The reason I can get in such a good workout in a short amount of time, is that I never go over a minute between sets. I bust my ass, I get results, and it's a blast. So if you're not working out, start working out. You never know how far you can go until you get to work. Never work out when there's any kind of infection in your body. Eat well, drink plenty of fluids, and get lots of rest. The body is a conwstruction site, and you need to keep the whole process in motion. If you're doing it right, your tearing those muscles up. They need rest and good nutrition to build and get strong. Work, nutrition, and rest. Eliminate any one of these, and the project stalls.
My friends, I'll end this, but I just want to close by saying that Father Time will win end the end, but that doesn't mean we have make it easy for him. He'll get me too, but he'll be tired when he gets it.
Thank you for taking the time to read this rookies stuff. I'll get better. I have to, I'm competing with those damn ghosts!
mwnp
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Amen, But if you stay at it, the results come.
should have a new hub out tomorrow!
Two more hubs! I'd better slow down.
When The Devil Went To Church is out. Another shameless plug!
You some great motivational and very funny stuff here. I really enjoyed reading your hub.
Thanks,
Nick
Thanks for stopping by, and thanks for the encouragment Nick!
This is cool. Last night my son was telling me of his clients at the restaurants..he is 18 and works as a waiter at a fine restaurant.
He said he mainly served 'old' women..
I asked him what 'old' meant.
He answered 30-40. I almost fell off my chair.
After 40 and regaining your discipline to go back to training is awesome!!
Thank you young lady!
You look absolutely fantastic (ok I'll give I thought you were hot)! Wouldn't have pictured you being that age. Hope I look that great later in life!
Thank you so much you little ego angel. I needed a shot today!
jim
I'm fasting and looking for support, and knew where to go. We seem to fight too much, and think too differently to communicate daily, but about this you are the only person i know besides my Charleston sister who has an attitude I can learn from. Guess I'll run by the grocery store and get more blueberries, some green tea, and stick to boiled eggs until I am down to where I want to be. Wighed 126 this morning, and still need to lose a few pounds. I know it is only a matter of doing it whether you feel like it or not, and feeling like it comes later. Constant awareness, and constant battle. Thanks for this hub. I thought I had read it all the way through before, but apparantly not as I had not left a comment. I never intend to give in to father time, and hope to die on a treadmill at 110 years old. (:v
I actually wish you lived here so we could work out together, because I think you would push me further than I've ever pushed myself. I'd probably be calling you the "dirty rotton bastard," but I'd be in better shape than I've ever been in my life. You'd also never think I was lean or muscular enough, so I couldn't get lazy and gain even a few pounds. If I had the money I'd join another fitness program in addition to curves, because I need to be doing palaties, and probably lifting some heavier weights, but that isn't an option right now. Obviously, I'm on a row this morning. Think I've settled into my fast weight loss plan. If I weren't so old I'd lose down to 103 pounds, but I'm afraid it wouldn't look good on me due to my age. If I could afford botox and a weight trainier I could probably do it, but that is not an option on part time minimum wage income, or even full time minimum wage income. I'll just have to settle for what I can do.
That would be fun having you for a workout partner. You'll probably have a best selling book before too long and will be able to have botox or anything else you want. The important thing is you're not running up the white flag to age like so many do when it comes their body. I don't know your age, but I assume you're in or around my catagory. Regardless, you look good kid!
jim
...okay buddy on the eve of your comeback - here goes from the epi-man from a rather cold Lake Erie tonight - a brand new spanking top ten:
TOP TEN REASONS WHY JIM ROCKS:
10. that damn fine attitude
9. he's a man's man
8. but also a ladies' man
7. if you are his friend then you're one lucky son of a bitch (or daughter -lol)
6. he's got a heart the size of the Grand Canyon
5. he has a lust for life
4. and a zest for life too!
3. he has a powerful aura - I can always feel it coming through this screen
2. he is honest and has conviction
1. he is one of a kind
Hey Colin! You're the bomb dude. I'll be in tonight and looking forward to business as usual by Monday. Thanks for being my friend man!
jim
Well, I am right there with you themanwithnopants! I am 42 and darn proud of it, I work out and hour and a half at least 5 days a week, I call it my theray. I make that time for myself which is not easy being a mom, wife, marriage counselor, but I love it. I have not looked this good since my twenties and I have energy, strength and I am super flexable. I have encorporated my yoga into streching with weights and of course running. so hats off to you and your body looks hot!
Thanks dawn. 42? You're still a kid. (laughing) I'm 15 years your senior and like you I have more energy than I know what to do with. I'm glad you mentioned stretching. It's just as important as the weights and nutrition and works hand in hand.
I'm proud of you for the hard work you put in. It becomes an enjoyable a part of daily life. Thanks for stoping by and keep up the hard work!
jim
hit 40 on the 9 of jan 2011, and when i was 15 i was a great boxer jrn champ of Ireland but since around 20 ive done no excersize and am feeling very down worst ive ever felt in my life, Im a 10stone 68inches wimp,am I too late to bulk up
Mark, It's never,ever too late. As I mentioned in the betining; the human will is unstopable. Your body is just waiting on you to untie that will. You've got it bound up pretty tight with the "I can't attitude." Give yourself a slap, man up, and say, "I CAN!" Muscle has memory, so get to the gym and jog that memory. Get that blood flowing. I carries every single thing in it that your mind and body needs to look and feel great. Mark, DO THIS!
jim
i've seen SOOOOOOOO many men with the Santa Clause belly going on with or without a shirt on (gag), this was refreshing on so many levels..... thanks ;) thanks for the encouraging Hub and showing the guys out there this CAN be done!
writinginalaska,
(laughing) Yea, some guys are proud of their stuff regardless.
Thank you for the words of encourgement!
jim
Three cheers for you! Exercise is important. My husband looks really realllyyyy good for his age. I am flirting with 40 and it takes me a minute longer to get to where I can wear my two piece swim suit again.
Jo,
Forty? You're a child girl. Yeah, the older we get, the more we have to put into looking good, but if looking good makes us feel good,then the work is fun. Thanks for the read my friend! Stay with me, :)
jim
I'm getting up there myself. I'm not the man I once was, but that is a good thing. I am in half decent shape. I used to be a world class surfer, so that isn't good enough. I have a lot of injuries that make it uncomfortable to work out, so I can only feel so guilty.
I lived in Tucson as a boy. When I returned for a visit recently, I went up to Sabino Canyon to watch the sunset (one of the most beautiful on earth). I had to cry when I saw what development, and recreational vehicles had done to this precious scene. Get a clue, Jr. you are desecrating Holy ground with that jallopy. Walk or ride a burro.
WD,
Thanks for the read and thoughtful comments. Yes, Geronimo would be pissed if he saw some of the things idiots do to his beautiful desert.
I'm an old surf bum myself. I've played a lot of football and the bod has some old battle scars, so I can identify. Working through some pain, staves off greater pain for me. Seems like the old injuries are kept in check and don't bother me much unless I have to take time off working out for some reason.
Anyway, thanks for coming by bro!
jim
I wasn't thinking of Geronimo, I was thinking of the Maricopa. Anyway, thanks for your gracious response. I hear ya on the staving off thing. I will take some inspiration. I need to get back in the water. However, my injuries are more on the bull riding level. My football injuries are just hiccups (except for the knees). I bike it everywhere. I'll be by again. Thanks!
WD,
Bull riding! Yeah, that'll make a guy stiff. I rode a bull at a bar in Phoenix back in 94. I had to sign the waivers and pay $25.00 I think it was. I don't remember much about the ride. They say I stayed on almost a full second. Dude, I can't imagine doing that for a living, and I doubt I ever do it again. In fact I'm almost sure of it because I don't drink anymore. (laughing)
jim
No, brother . . . I didn't ride bulls and I didn't mean to fling any. I have been in serious car wrecks, a couple of good fights, water-ski tumbles, surf poundings ( I took off at the end of the groins at the light house to beat the crowd)," physical management" at an adolescent mental health facility (10 years), an unsuccessful mugging, and I learned a very valuable lesson in life. Never argue with anyone from the top of a ladder!
Amen my brother. We have a lot in common. As long as we're being honest .. I had a half of dozen bikers beat me and leave me for dead with a severe skull fracture, ribs, and the works when I was nineteen. I was in a head on collision at the age of twenty one where they listed the speed at the time of impact at 85 mph. Skull fractured in six places, jaw crushed on the right side, rib cage floated, both legs broken (the right leg in 17 places) I was in a non induced coma for 13 days. All three doctors gave me little chance of surviving, and no chance of being normal. God is great, and here I am. I don't talk about this often because this beautiful story has a very ugly background I'm afraid. I've got more pins than a porkypine, and I hurt when it gets to cold, but otherwise I'm the luckiest guy I know. As I said, seems we have a lot in common my man!
jim
Thhere's a lot of dumb
There's a lot of dumb Americans out there. Speaking of which, have you ever read John Mc Cain's book, how he exercised himself back to reasonable health in the Hanoi Hilton after his crash and beatings?
I'm glad I ran into you. I've been using excuses to be lazy!
WD
I never read that book, but I'll look it up. My friend, fighting laziness is a full time job for me. It occurs naturally for me it seems. (laughing) My fear or phobia is that I look back ten years from now realizing that I was younger than I thought and could have done so much more. Wasting something, anything is majorly depressing to me. Also, I've always competed with ghosts and myself. (long story)
My mother died of cancer a few years ago. She couldn't do much more than wiggle her toes in the end, but I had her working out right up till her last day. She was a tough broad, and would have been doing the same thing with me if the rolls were reversed.
It's probably not good for everybody, but I have always pushed myself beyond my limits. I'd die of boredom otherwise. I want to climb the mountains, and jump out of planes until I absolutely can not do it any more, then hopefully die in my sleep still looking good. I darn sure don't advise anyone to think like me though. all we really want to do is be happy, and have a smile. You just have to do what ever it is that makes that happen.
Glad I ran into you too. I've actually met some people who've gone on to become good friends, and we're talking about a Hub reunion in Vegas or out here at my place. Maybe you'll find yourself digging this also in time!
jim
Jim - nice abs.... I mean... bum... I mean... hell, what can I say, age isn't getting the best of you. This was full of sound advice. I too am a firm believer that you can do whatever you want. I am in much better shape now then I was in highschool... although I have to admit, I was a lot smaller in high school. I will get there. I want results fast... but I know the benefits of it coming slowly. I have done enough research to know better even if I don't want to! I do agree though - the way it makes you feel mentally is far better than anything I have ever felt!
Okay! this may be the inspiration I NEED......I have been failing miserably for years now. I am fifty (caugh) and I am WAY out of shape.....I too was big into sports when I was a young'n.
My wife and I have found a billion and a half reasons NOT to work out....but, I am tired of being tired.
Jim....YOU are the MAN!!!... Keepon hittin it! You have so much going on for you....you inspire bro!
BG,
(laughing my ass off) Thank you girl. You're beautiful inside and out, and you're inspiring folks with you're new blog line. Keep up the great work!
jim
Chris,
If the world had just five more of you, the whole planet would improve by 40%. Dude, you have one of the best attitudes here on the hub pages. It's a 24/7 thing with you, and we're lucky to have you.
jim
lovelypaper Level 2 Commenter 23 months ago
Congrats on getting in shape. It's so hard staying or getting physically fit after fourty!