Men's Lifestyle Archives - Page 2 of 2

It seems that a man's 50th birthday is an important milestone in his life. And we look at our lives and say "Can I still be fit after 50". Are we old now? Not me! That is a picture of me (at 47 years old) on the left and my friend Duck on the right when we met up in Baghdad, Iraq in 2005. We first worked a dive job together in Denmark in 1989, clearing unexploded bombs from two sunken ships. I'm over 60 and still don't feel old (except when I move too quickly without warming up). When we were younger, a lot of us thought 50 was over-the-hill. Welcome to my Blog about men over 50 who want to continue to enjoy life. I am all about God, fitness, healthy living, coffee, beer, guns, and cigars. You know, Man Stuff. So do cigars and beer go with healthy living? Maybe yes, maybe no. I don't inhale or indulge. Everything in moderation. Hey man, I won't judge you, if you don't judge me. Seriously, if you have an addictive personality or dependency problems, stay away from anything that will take you down. Again, Man Stuff! Take Responsiblity I'm a former Marine, US Army Paratrooper, Bomb Disposal Tech, and even did a stint as a Pro-Wrestler. My life has been very physical and I've trained that way. I lifted heavy weights early on in life and now do calisthenics to stay in shape. At my age, it's the wiser thing to do. Duck and me in Tuno Knob, Denmark 1989 Bomb Disposal This is about living fit and eating healthy, but not so extreme that nobody wants to be around you and listen to your BS. I think we've all heard of CrossFit. If you don't have your health, how can you live your life to the fullest. After 50, you start having a few more aches and pains, so you have to learn how to work around them. Sometimes jumping out of bed in the morning can lead to a sharp pain in the back. And then you're down all day trying to massage the pain out. I don't lift weights like I used to, but still enjoy working out so I got into calisthenics. Calisthenics have replaced heavy bench press and squats with push ups and air squats, so I don't have as many training injuries either. Body Weight Exercises About 20 years ago, I got into calisthenics or body weight training and still use weights for functional movements. The turning point for me was when I read Combat Conditioning, by Matt Furey. It's all about body weight training. I now do exercises that are similar to the traditional movements, but without the heavy weight that stresses the joints. Functional fitness has become a popular training style over the last 20 years. Body weight exercises fit right in with this type of training. Even though Calisthenics date back to ancient times, we seem to think it's a new discovery. My eating habits are decent, but I am not strict by any means. A balanced eating lifestyle is more important, than staying on a restrictive diet plan. You gotta enjoy life! I do take some supplements, but don't stress it if I miss a day or two. They are basic vitamins and minerals and a couple of others I plan to write about later. I've found that Intermittent Fasting works for me also...more on that in another post. I realize other men want to get in shape and stay there, so I can help them move in the right direction. I have an acquaintance who is 57 years old and recently dropped 70 lbs over the last year. He cut out refined sugar, soft drinks, bread, and got a dog that he takes to the park every day. He realized that he needed change his habits and did it! I want to help guys like him. Do you want to make a change in your life for the better? I encourage you to experiment with workout programs as long as they are safe and your body is reacting in a positive way. There are hundreds of programs out there and as many opinions on how things should be done. Conclusion You want to get in a routine that works for you and that you'll perform consistently. Consistency is the key to anything you do, if you want to get better at it. I'll give you different ways of doing things and back it up with research and documentation. I use videos from certified professionals, because it's nice to have a visual example when learning new things. Living fit has always been part of my lifestyle and I believe it can be part of yours as well. Check with your doctor or medical professional before trying anything new. Your body may have a condition you are unaware of. As I said before, stay safe and try new things. Let your body be your guide. You're not training for a competition...just try living the best life you can.Welcome to the Journey!