After the LAV fat post, it is interesting with aging how

[FromMyColdDeadHand]

1. I'm glad we have some geezers I here, I was starting to think that everyone was in their 20s.

2. I think I'm as many kilos as I was pounds in HS.

3. Fitting into you wedding tux is easier when you get married later.

4. I knew it was time to hit the gym when random people would call me 'Big Guy'. Still lots to go.

[SteyrAUG]

IMHO "lack of time" is an excuse. You can do a lot in 15 minutes a day.

I can probably find 15 minutes every day. The problem is finding 15 minutes and having the energy left to do anything.

I train twice a week for a couple hours but it really takes it out of me and I'm pretty useless the next day.

[Moose-Knuckle]

People are missing the topic.

OP asked why some people stay small framed, and why some just get bigger and bigger.

I've wondered the same thing for a long time. Some men just seem to grow skeletal mass almost all their lives. I notice it a lot on guys in their 50s and 60s who have huge arms and wrists, just big dudes in general. Look at the same guys 20-30 years ago and they were just normal size.

I'm 34 and still pretty much the same scrawny size I was at 21.

I'm 35 and friends that I haven't seen in years all say "OMG you look just the same, haven't changed a bit". I have school buddies that are bald, big guts, etc. I'm to the point where I have to eat right and cut out the sugar/bad fat/ etc. as my metabolism is slowing down.

But you are correct, some guys (gym rats) get super huge in their 40's-50's that they never could get in their 20's-30's. I guess some men never stop growing muscle wise until 60's. And I'm not talking about steroids.

[C-grunt]

Different body types I guess. I didnt stop growing until my mid to late 20s.

My father is a pretty thin guy. He is 6 foot and about 160. When I graduated Basic Training at 19 I was 6 foot and 190 pounds (and looked scrawny as hell). We wore the same size pants (32) then. When I graduated the police academy at age 23 I was 6 foot 1 inch and 205 pounds still in a size 32 pants. At age 28ish I started measuring at 6 foot 2 inches. Im now 31 and a size 38 pants, Ive never had a good metabolism and a serious soda addiction doesnt help. I cut out soda and am eating better and slowly losing weight. Ive been lifting heavily for a few years now and Id bet if I get down to a size 32 waist again Ill be at 220 pounds.

[BuzzinSATX]

I saw the big 5-0 come and go a while back, and while I'm not yet 6-0, I received this book for Christmas and it's really made me rethink how I'm living:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/076114773X/...l_20e96qjq41_b

Nothing magic in the pages...the book is written by an old but in great shape guy and a doctor. But just the way it's written, it's gotten me acting different and moving towards a new way of living that's doable for a guy like me. Just a great book and might be interesting to some y'all over 50 folk...

[Watrdawg]

I'm 51 now and still hit the gym 3-4 days a week and on the weekends I'm constantly doing something physical. I'm only 5'5' but I'm also 175lbs. Thankfully I'm in pretty good shape. I have a 30" waist and can still wear the same pants as I did when I got out of the Army in 89. I don't eat junk food, rarely have a soda and definitely stay away from fast food. As others have said to do, I eat lots of fresh vegetables, lean meat, whole grains etc. Caloric intake compared to what you burn off is a big factor in maintaining a healthy weight. However, its not just that. It's also the type of calories you take in. I've got to admit though my big big weakness is ice cream. I love good ice cream and still eat it fairly often. On top of doing all that I do this past Thanksgiving I ended up in the hospital having stints put into arteries around my heart to open up 3, 95% blockages. No family history, I don't have high blood pressure or high cholesterol. I don't smoke and rarely drink. I could have walked out the front door and keeled over dead any time. Who would've thought! So for all of you at 50 or older, regardless of the shape you are in, make sure you get that physical and make it a very exhaustive complete one also!!

[Frailer]

I can probably find 15 minutes every day. The problem is finding 15 minutes and having the energy left to do anything.

I train twice a week for a couple hours but it really takes it out of me and I'm pretty useless the next day.

Sounds like this isn't working for you.

If that's the case, it's time to try something new.

[6933]

I'm late 30's, 6'0", and generally stay around 170ish. I believe genetics play a large part as does lifestyle and count calories, protein, and carbs. Most people think I weigh in the 190's.

I have recently been very strict with calories, carbs, and protein and also have upped my lifting and running. I was already in excellent shape but now it's full on six pack, striations, vascularity, etc. like I've never had before. I realize diet and exercise most definitely played a roll, but at my age to easily make the change....has to mean my genetics are favorable for this.

For me, mental state(mental prep), sleep, and proper nutrition are just as important as cardio and lifting. However, these seem to be the areas that will eventually sabotage a productive workout regime since many seem to not give them much thought. I cannot overemphasize the importance of sleep. This has meant going to bed at 8 or 9 some nights as well as fitting in naps whenever we can. We have two very young children and my wife is one of the busiest OB/GYN Surgeons in the country. This means getting proper sleep is very difficult but has been made into a top priority. It has made a HUGE difference in many, many ways.

My answer to many people that have issues with weight/fitness has been to start with making sleep a priority. Then worry about the other things. Good sleep will make one feel so much better, mentally alert, positive, and energetic. This translates into being better able to exercise and stay focused on changing eating habits. It all begins with sleep. I contend the increasing percentages of overweight people is directly correlated with the decrease in the average number of hrs. people sleep per night.

[7.62NATO]

I'm late 30's, 6'0", and generally stay around 170ish. I believe genetics play a large part as does lifestyle and count calories, protein, and carbs. Most people think I weigh in the 190's.

I have recently been very strict with calories, carbs, and protein and also have also upped my lifting and running. I was already in excellent shape but now it's full on six pack, striations, vascularity, etc. like I've never had before. I realize diet and exercise most definitely played a roll, but at my age to easily make the change....has to mean my genetics are favorable for this.

For me, mental state(mental prep), sleep, and proper nutrition are just as important as cardio and lifting. However, these seem to be the areas that will eventually sabotage a productive workout regime since many seem to not give them much thought. I cannot overemphasize the importance of sleep. This has meant going to bed at 8 or 9 some nights as well as fitting in naps whenever we can. We have two very young children and my wife is one of the busiest OB/GYN Surgeons in the country. This means getting proper sleep is very difficult but has been made into a top priority. It has made a HUGE difference in many, many ways.

My answer to many people that have issues with weight/fitness has been to start with making sleep a priority. Then worry about the other things. Good sleep will make one feel so much better, mentally alert, positive, and energetic. This translates into being better able to exercise and stay focused on changing eating habits. It all begins with sleep. I contend the increasing percentages of overweight people is directly correlated with the decrease in the average number of hrs. people sleep per night.

I agree that sleep is key. Are you an MD, too?

[Mo_Zam_Beek]

On a related note….


I have to zone out and think about all manner of things when I run. On a recent run I came to the conclusion that if attack on mainland USA were imminent and it was necessary to call up "Old men and boys"; and if there were say 4 weeks to prepare….

Given the physical condition of most American men over 35 / 40 - the time would be better utilized making sure everyone knew the business end of the boom stick and how to communicate rather than trying to go from wheezing pre diabetic, to marginally better and now injured for the effort….




It starts with the food we put in our face and requires consistent physical effort. It is a use it or loose it proposition.