subject: Age is really just a number - Challenges and Milestones [print this page] Age is really just a number - Challenges and Milestones
Ok so now that I'm 40 I can say that you really are as old as you feel! When I heard people say this when I was younger, I never put in much thought in to what they were saying. Being at the monumental age of 40 I can reflex on that statement more intently. I am writing this blog for all you 40 year old men like myself that just don't get what all the hype about turning 40 is all about.
Over the hill
What hill? The only hill I'm over is the one I run up and over when I run in the morning. The thought that being 40 denotes the best most productive years are behind me just does not sit well with me. The older I get the more I learn about myself and my body. For those of you that strived to stay fit your whole life, I applauded you. In my case, five years ago I was the complete opposite of what I am today. My lifestyle was killing me; from excessive drinking I had developed, among other things, high blood pressure and the start of liver damage. I was forced to make a choice - get healthy or die! My point is just because you're getting older and you may not be in the shape you want to be in you are never too old to start.
At 40 pot bellies are cute
What the @#$% ?! Being out of shape at any age is not cute. It is not about having a six pack or bench pressing 400 pounds, it's about being healthy. At 40 the things that are important to me have changed. Being a functional part of my family's life is very important. Having children from the ages of 2-18, it's important to actively participate in their life, not just being a spectator. The better physical condition I'm in, the more enjoyment I get from my family. My oldest son is 16, he is 6'2 240 pounds, he plays football track and wrestles I enjoy being able to train with his in all the sports he plays(especially on the mat I'm still undefeated). Whether or not sports interest you, it is important that you are healthy and in the physical condition to be as active as you can in your family's life.
You're not 18 anymore
That's right, I'm not 18! I'm in better shape than when I was 18! As I said earlier the older I get the more I learn about my body, my whole body. At 18 I did not have the physical or mental strength that I have now. I feel the combination makes me a stronger person. I know when to push myself and more importantly when to back off. I now take the time to learn what my body can do and I am able to maximize my time and effort. I'm finding I have more mental discipline as I get older, with this discipline I am able to more and more difficult work outs getting the results I want.
Well enough of this talk about age and getting older. As a way to prove to myself that 40 is really just a number, I have set a challenge for myself, I am trying to drop my body fat to under 10%. Currently I weigh 235, my body fat is around 12%, and I am giving myself 3 months to do it. Friend me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter and see how I do.
