What is the fitness level of guys over 45 here on PERB?

[CODe333]

I’m enjoying reading the responses to the posting by Sex on the best way to stay in shape. I’m going to continue following that thread as it develops. It’s interesting to see how many PERB folks are fitness oriented. Some are even competitive athletes –cool! That discussion makes me wonder how many guys (or gals for that matter) on this forum over the age of, let’s say, 45, are in great shape and ripped. I ask both because it would interesting to know and because I’m trying to encourage myself as I head into 16 weeks of intensive therapy and exercise trying to outwit an immune system that has a taste for my own flesh. Immune suppression therapy allows me to breath but has added many lbs to the body! In my 40s I was in better shape than I was in my 20s. Martial arts, running, cycling, bodybuilding/ resistance training and yoga were all part of my weekly routine. I maintained about 12% body fat at that time. I’m aiming for that again (fingers crossed). How are subscribers here in their 40s, 50s and beyond doing in this area? Let’s hear some bragging! I know some of the SPs in their 40s here look fabulous! Let’s hear from some of the guys. Are you ripped? What % bodyfat have you been able to maintain? What level of fitness? The life you’re saving might be mine! More importantly we all might learn the fitness secrets of Vancouver's most successful older pooners!

 

[edmontonsubbie]

I’m enjoying reading the responses to the posting by Sex on the best way to stay in shape. I’m going to continue following that thread as it develops. It’s interesting to see how many PERB folks are fitness oriented. Some are even competitive athletes –cool! That discussion makes me wonder how many guys (or gals for that matter) on this forum over the age of, let’s say, 45, are in great shape and ripped. I ask both because it would interesting to know and because I’m trying to encourage myself as I head into 16 weeks of intensive therapy and exercise trying to outwit an immune system that has a taste for my own flesh. Immune suppression therapy allows me to breath but has added many lbs to the body! In my 40s I was in better shape than I was in my 20s. Martial arts, running, cycling, bodybuilding/ resistance training and yoga were all part of my weekly routine. I maintained about 12% body fat at that time. I’m aiming for that again (fingers crossed). How are subscribers here in their 40s, 50s and beyond doing in this area? Let’s hear some bragging! I know some of the SPs in their 40s here look fabulous! Let’s hear from some of the guys. Are you ripped? What % bodyfat have you been able to maintain? What level of fitness? The life you’re saving might be mine! More importantly we all might learn the fitness secrets of Vancouver's most successful older pooners!

such Vancouver bias....sigh.

I am 48, I am fat and lazy, the most exercise I get is to move my index finger over to change the channel on this really cool remote control dealy thing I bought...apparently it was made with sweatshop labour from the Phillipines...bonus.

eddie.

 

[CODe333]

I used to live in Edmonton. Are you my uncle Ned?

 

[edmontonsubbie]

I used to live in Edmonton. Are you my uncle Ned?

nope....I'm your aunt edna.

 

[CODe333]

nope....I'm your aunt edna.

Wow! The best lay of my life! How are you babe?

 

[Guardian Angel]

Trying to keep it all together

Last 18 mths, I have had body fat of 13% or less, body building to maintain that including competitive participation where body fat was under 5%.

I am 54, and currently have a physique and conditioning better than anytime in my life. As a teen, I was involved in competitive hockey, baseball, football and track & field.

I am in far better shape now then anytime during my younger competitive growing years.

My goal is to maintain this with life style change in nutritional food consumption and exercise.

It truly is a life style change for me to accomplish this.

G.A.

 

[CODe333]

I do hope to get at least a few serious comments here. Any takers? Or is this thread going to die? Please help!

 

[CODe333]

Guardian Angel - great post. I'm impressed! 5% bf for competition, that's great. If you're willing I'd love to hear details. I hope you did well in competition. I'm setting myself a goal of competing in a Masters Bodybuilding competition by 2011 (if all else goes well). But your accomplishment is really something to brag about. Congrats!

CODe333

 

[SeaToSky]

I'm under 45, but I'm interested in how "fitness level" is defined. Personally, I don't think bodyfat percentage is a good measure. I'd suggest 1: your resting heart rate, and 2: how many pushups (in good form) you can do it 2 minutes.

 

[CODe333]

SeatoSky

Good point. On those two counts I wouldn't score very high at this time. After 16 weeks of therapy and training (provided everything goes as planned) I just might score well on both scales. How about you?

Any over 45s that have tried this type of fitness measure?

Bodyfat is important to me at this time as losing bodfat is an important element in my recovery (previous drug therapy messed with my metabolism and weight gain was considerable). Also, many men in their 40s and beyond have been told (by doctors, etc), that losing bodyfat is all but impossible to do or maintain. I proved them wrong before and will hopefully do so again. For me it's a matter not so much of looking good (though that would a bonus) as it is of being able to breath without drugs. Most people concerned about fitness are not generally going to have that concern, so I do realize my criterion may seem out of wack. Your comment is appreciated.

May I ask, do you live in Sea To Sky area or is your handle reflecting something else? Just being nosy.

CODe333

 

[CODe333]

I'm not over 45, but I am a gym rat all the same.

24yrs old, 7% body fat at my last check a couple of months back. I'm in the gym 5 days a week; mornings and nights splitting up my weights from cardio. The biggest thing to watch I figure is diet, which imo counts for an equal if not greater part of being in shape.

Working out for your health is probably the best motivation. I used to think it would help attract the opposite sex, which it might, but when you're as miserably shy like me you still find yourself alone.

One of these days I'll hopefully take the training wheels off and actually do something crazy like smile (not nervous sneer) at a hot chick I walk by

Sounds like a plan. Health is the number one issue for me. As to the other point you make I suspect you probably look great but need to work on being sociable around the ladies. My daughters (late 20s , early thirties) often comment on hot guys they see that lack confidence and social skill. They've made the same comment about me BTW and I'm in my 50s!. Of course, I'm not intimidated by my daughters but most men are, given that my girls are gorgeous, strong and very successful. At the end of the day though, it's generally young hot guys they date because they're the ones that ask. You'd be surprised how many beautiful women sit at home at night because no one has the balls to ask them out (also why some of the incredibly striking SPs here are sooo busy!). Remember rejections are generally just part of the learning curve. Maybe you should start a thread on that topic and see what happens. You'll probably take some ribbing but there may be some gems of wisdom that come to you out of it. Just a thought. Thanks for you comment and imput. Be well.

 

[Rotcod]

Body weight @ age 25......255 lbs

Body weight today (ten years later)....175 lbs

About ten years ago I went with some friends to climb the Grouse Grind. Suffice to say that hike nearly killed me, (I did finish it though!). Last year I went on a 20 km hike that made the Grouse Grind look like Teapot Hill. Not only did I keep up with the rest of the group (I was in a group of twenty), but for a time I actually was first, and people were trying to keep up with me. After the hike, I still had energy to hike another 5-10 km.

Everyone under the sun has asked me how I managed to lose 75+ lbs and get in such good shape, and I always tell them the same answer.


I sacrifice young virgins to Satan.



That, and I work a very physical job.

 

[CODe333]

Body weight @ age 25......255 lbs

Body weight today (ten years later)....175 lbs

About ten years ago I went with some friends to climb the Grouse Grind. Suffice to say that hike nearly killed me, (I did finish it though!). Last year I went on a 20 km hike that made the Grouse Grind look like Teapot Hill. Not only did I keep up with the rest of the group (I was in a group of twenty), but for a time I actually was first, and people were trying to keep up with me. After the hike, I still had energy to hike another 5-10 km.

Everyone under the sun has asked me how I managed to lose 75+ lbs and get in such good shape, and I always tell them the same answer.


I sacrifice young virgins to Satan.



That, and I work a very physical job.

Are the virgins male or female? How hard are those to find these days? Does he like them raw or cooked?

Alas, I don't know any virgins I can get along without so I guess I'll have to follow your other approach and hike and do lots of other stuff like that. Thanks for your comments.

 

[CODe333]

CODe333,
P.S. Sorry for jacking the theme of this thread away from fitness

That's okay. I still think it's worth discussing that in another thread though. It might spark an interesting discussion of this very thing.

 

[seannachie]

Couldn't agree more!

...I am in far better shape now then anytime during my younger competitive growing years.

My goal is to maintain this with life style change in nutritional food consumption and exercise.

It truly is a life style change for me to accomplish this.

Me too! Likewise, I've been involved in sports all my life at both competitive and recreational levels [non-professional]. I've found that it was only in my late 40's that "it all came together". I quit drinking, started eating healthier foods, started training [as compared to working out], lost some weight and some size, gained strength and endurance, and am able to outperform my standards set in my mid-twenties. What a different lifestyle--different friends, more friends, different schedule, new goals, etc. Everything's better! It was difficult having to leave some people behind who weren't into the changes I was, however.

 

[CODe333]

Of course some aspects of fitness are relative. These days what I do as workouts would barely have qualified as warmups five years ago. Today when I weighed in at the gym I found that I'd lost 25 lbs (in about 8 weeks). That's with minimal workouts or cardio. That leaves about 50 more lbs to come off. I have once agian adopted a paleo diet (lots of veggies, some fruit, fish, meat and nuts) and figure that that change is responsible for most of the weight loss. The chap above who said abs are formed in the kitchen rather than in the gym is right. I find too that eating a paleo diet also takes the edge off the side effects of medication. More energy too.

Thanks to everyone who has posted. Of course, I hope there will more.