Fitness and prepardness.. but im tired today

[Curmudgeon]

Made a decision to carry my muscle mass in to my 40’s and could not handle the meat market atmosphere of the gym changing rooms. So I started working out at home with a second hand bench about 125 lbs of weight and an old stationary bike.

After a year or so I bought a Solo Flex with leg extension and butterfly attachments. Using that I did keep my muscle mass into my 50’s.
About “05” I bought a Fedders Cross Bow and used it today. Now along with the Crossbow I have assorted hand weights and an elliptical.
I will be 69 on 4/7 and have succeeded in keeping my muscle which is soooo important for us old farts.
I’m 5’10” @ 190lbs with a 46” chest and a 34” waist. Today I weigh 10lbs more than I did when I enlisted in “71”.
For me it’s not about how much I can lift as I regularly use 5, 10, 25 lbs to do the exercise. It is about being consistent like getting up at 5:00AM to exercise for 1 1/2 hours before work and then shoveling the driveway. Then up again 2 days later doing it all over. I stretch, elliptical and station train with pull-ups and push ups in between about 2 1/2 hrs three days a week with two days off. Consider myself in real good shape for my age and love it when MILFs eyeball my ass.
New pieces of equipment include ankle weights that I wear throughout workout and Perfect Push-up grips which take a lot of strain off of wrists.
The above mentioned Solo Flex is for sale, negotiable, FTF only and I will help you carry it up from the basement. It is a heavy mother.

Dude, everyone on this forum should be impressed with your discipline.

Well done sir, and happy early birthday!

 

[alistair]

I’m excited for the 10 miles next week.

Have you ever run a “virtual race”? I know it’s basically tchotchke scam, but with all the upcoming local races cancelled, it’s something cool to keep me motivated. I’m thinking of ordering 2 right now, one for April, and one for May. The may one would be Nurses Appreciation Day for my mom and I’ll do my first half marathon for it.

Also, have you done the Race Around the Lake in Cooperstown by any chance? Sounds like a good marathon and it’s only $65!

I do not do many races; just can't see paying for, or traveling 2 hours to a 10k race that will take me less than 45 minutes to run.

This virtual 1/2 marathon is being run this weekend - West Point's Fallen Heros

 

[togmaster]

Keeping yourself in shape have never been more important than it is right now. Out of pure luck (for me) I got back into a regular work out schedule about 3 months ago.

 

[GOPerfect]

So, I began my new food routine just over four weeks ago...

I am down 31 pounds and holy shit do I feel awesome.

I am phasing off this routine next week.

I am bummed that the gyms are closed but I have an older, multi exercise system in the basement that I can use to lift.

 

[Robin]

Did about a mile and a half per the last few days. I'll be stretching it out as time goes on. Feels good, I'm just hoping no physical malady's pop up and force me to quit.
Robin

 

[Steal2B]

Since most of us are a bit more mature now than in our glory days, ... who measures their age adjusted bodyfat (most devices scew the same readings as a higher fat percentage for each older decade) and what would you consider fit?

 

[Celt]

So, I began my new food routine just over four weeks ago...

I am down 31 pounds and holy shit do I feel awesome.

I am phasing off this routine next week.

I am bummed that the gyms are closed but I have an older, multi exercise system in the basement that I can use to lift.

Improvise as well, push-ups pull-ups sit-ups bodyweight squats in any type of resistance work will build muscle and burn calories. Keep at it brother

 

[Celt]

Since most of us are a bit more mature now than in our glory days, ... who measures their age adjusted bodyfat (most devices scew the same readings as a higher fat percentage for each older decade) and what would you consider fit?

I've always monitored my body fat, when I was 19 how is 187 lb with around 8% body fat, when I was 27 I was 205 lb with about 9% body fat when I was 37 I was 235 lbs with 11% body fat, the past few years I've struggled with injuries so consistently working out has been tough for me but if I had to guess I'm probably hovering around 16-18% and around 215lbs right now.

It is 100% harder to keep the fat down as our testosterone levels decrease, but it doesn't mean it's impossible. I took off from exercising from October until January the try and rest my shoulder, but I got started again I've been going at it pretty good so I expect my body weight to go up and my body fat to go down. I'll be 47 in June this year.

 

[Steal2B]

I've always monitored my body fat, when I was 19 how is 187 lb with around 8% body fat, when I was 27 I was 205 lb with about 9% body fat when I was 37 I was 235 lbs with 11% body fat, the past few years I've struggled with injuries so consistently working out has been tough for me but if I had to guess I'm probably hovering around 16-18% and around 215lbs right now.

It is 100% harder to keep the fat down as our testosterone levels decrease, but it doesn't mean it's impossible. I took off from exercising from October until January the try and rest my shoulder, but I got started again I've been going at it pretty good so I expect my body weight to go up and my body fat to go down. I'll be 47 in June this year.

Impressive. Although I could be your dad, I am ashamed I did not maintain youthful exercise habits ( and >5% bodyfat per dunk tests during wrestling seasons) after work consumed my waking hours. Great job on your part. Me, I have no excuses.

I am below 25% (bioimpedence measurement bounces between 22 to 25% based on hydration) adjusted up bodyfat (age compensated) at 215 lbs (down from 265) but I lost more lean body mass than I hoped. Guess I got to sling more iron instead of just hauling endless half ton loads of soil, mulch, and stone.

I am hesitant to try GH enhancing supplements since competitors from the old Soviet and Eastern European States I knew who used "natural" performance supplements died decades ago from horrific diseases.

 

[Airborneguy]

Got my 5 miles in today. This was sort of an accomplishment. My 8 yesterday and 5 today has been my best turnaround yet. I'm definitely progressing. I could've done more both days, but I am trying to find my comfortable limits after a lifetime of "keep at it until you drop" workouts.

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

I am trying to benefit from working at home, I set up a temporary office/ desk in the basement and I have some dumbbells next to me so I keep taking 5 mins here and there to do different exercises, push ups, sit ups etc.

Now with the weather breaking I need to get out running (jogging)

But I want to use this as an opportunity to benefit from a crappy situation.

 

[Airborneguy]

Just finished 10 miles averaging 9:38. Felt really good. I definitely had more in me but I am trying to take this training slow and steady to avoid injuries.

 

[masterswimmer]

Swimming is no longer an option for me. I went for a walk in the woods today. Not strenuous, not brisk, no hills. My body can't physically handle that anymore. My property borders on NYS Palisades Interstate Park land. It was a pleasure not seeing another human being and practicing social distancing in my backyard.

 

[masterswimmer]

My piece of heaven.....

 

[Airborneguy]

10.2 today. First time I have finished a “marathon” of miles over the course of a week (sun-today). I just hope I continue to progress.

 

[alistair]

10.2 today. First time I have finished a “marathon” of miles over the course of a week (sun-today). I just hope I continue to progress.

Don't forget to take a few rest days per week to allow your body to recover. I'm in the process of building my base fitness level up after a quiet winter. Last week was 33 miles and I hope to average 35-40m per week until I start training for a fall marathon when that number will increase to about 55m per week.

 

[camper4lyfe]

10.2 today. First time I have finished a “marathon” of miles over the course of a week (sun-today). I just hope I continue to progress.

I did 10 on the bike, outside, today.
This working from home thing has been nice. I’ve been riding on the trainer in the morning after taking the kids to daycare, then running at noon (my normal run time). Today was a non-run day and it was pushing 60, so I took the bike outside for a change of scenery.

I’ll have about 30 miles bikes and 20 miles run this week.I may end up being one of the few that may actually lose weight during this isolation stuff.

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

Now that the weather has warmed up some and I've decided to try to regain some fitness that I've lost.

Took the family hiking earlier today and then just now I just went running/jogging for over 2 miles. I know to many thats not much but I've been relatively sedentary the past 6-8 months.

 

[camper4lyfe]

Now that the weather has warmed up some and I've decided to try to regain some fitness that I've lost.

Took the family hiking earlier today and then just now I just went running/jogging for over 2 miles. I know to many thats not much but I've been relatively sedentary the past 6-8 months.

I took 2 months off, November and December to move and work on the new house (lots and lots of painting). I lost a LOT of fitness in that time, and it took me the better part of 1-2 months of consistent running to get it back. I’m finally at a point now where I feel normal again. It definitely comes back faster than it took to build initially, but it’s REALLY frustrating in the mean time. Be patient with it, stay consistent, and you’ll get it back.

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

I took 2 months off, November and December to move and work on the new house (lots and lots of painting). I lost a LOT of fitness in that time, and it took me the better part of 1-2 months of consistent running to get it back. I’m finally at a point now where I feel normal again. It definitely comes back faster than it took to build initially, but it’s REALLY frustrating in the mean time. Be patient with it, stay consistent, and you’ll get it back.

Thanks

I would love to be able to do a 5k sub 25 mins by this summer or have enough endurance to get up to something like a 10k or half marathon

 

[GOPerfect]

Starting tomorrow morning, I am going to make a nice bike ride part of my daily routine.

 

[Celt]

Keeping at it still. Im doing 1 day a week on legs with my primary focus on dead lifting ive been able to incorporate a little chest work too. I do 8 sets of band flies. They are like cable flies but i use bands instead. Still no db pressing, but i get a good pump with the bands. I do 8 sets at the end of every workout, and im doing 3 days per week. I also do back /upper body 2x per week.

Im also doing some airsoft practice in between sets when my heart rate is up. I use my glock gas blowback replica, and a krytac ar (full featured with operating fire controls and bolt).

Heres my target at the back of my weight room. I have that sheet up behind to catchvthe airsoft bbs and so i dont break the window behind it. Also extra layers of cardboard behind the target to slow them down.

 

[camper4lyfe]

Question for the guys that have them: how long is a typical weight bar? Can they be had in different lengths! I’m mulling around with ideas for a bench/squat rack, and where I want it, and now I’m wondering if I even have the room to do it.

 

[Celt]

Question for the guys that have them: how long is a typical weight bar? Can they be had in different lengths! I’m mulling around with ideas for a bench/squat rack, and where I want it, and now I’m wondering if I even have the room to do it.

Standard Olympic bar is 7 feet, most power racks are built for that. They do come in shallower depths though, and thats what i have. That way its not as far off the wall. You can get straight bars at any length, they make them 6', 5', etc.. but you need a 7' bar for a power rack.. afaik

Olympic weights have a large 2" diameter hole in the middle, where standard have about a 1". I have both, but i started without a power rack, and with adjustable dumbbells, standard plates.

 

[camper4lyfe]

Standard Olympic bar is 7 feet, most power racks are built for that. They do come in shallower depths though, and thats what i have. That way its not as far off the wall. You can get straight bars at any length, they make them 6', 5', etc.. but you need a 7' bar for a power rack.. afaik

Olympic weights have a large 2" diameter hole in the middle, where standard have about a 1". I have both, but i started without a power rack, and with adjustable dumbbells, standard plates.

I found a pretty awesome DIY rack that I'll most likely make, so spacing isn't a huge issue. Bar length is, though, as it has to fit between the walls of the basement (we're putting the rack in the basement where the builders must have been planning to put a HUGE Bilco door, but never did, so we have a nook there now that's about 7' wide and about 8' deep)

ETA video link

 

[Celt]

I found a pretty awesome DIY rack that I'll most likely make, so spacing isn't a huge issue. Bar length is, though, as it has to fit between the walls of the basement (we're putting the rack in the basement where the builders must have been planning to put a HUGE Bilco door, but never did, so we have a nook there now that's about 7' wide and about 8' deep)

ETA video link

I looked at making my own before i bought one. Ive made alot of my own equipment. My dumbbell rack, my weight tree, a cable pull down set up, etc... but the Titan power rack was priced well for a solid set up so i just bought it. But if you need a custom size then building is a good option.

Just keep in mind you want to try doing some of the movements you intend to use it for before you cut your wood. You dont want to be cramped when lifting heavy weight.

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

I'm just posting a self motivation check in.

I'm really liking this working from home and quarantine thing. I'm in the best shape I've been in for maybe the past 5 years.

I'm taking this unusual change in my day to day routine as an opportunity to break old bad habits and spending this time on self improvement doing lots of calesthenics, working out, running and improving my diet.

I feel good and I am already noticing muscle gains and fat loss.

 

[camper4lyfe]

I'm just posting a self motivation check in.

I'm really liking this working from home and quarantine thing. I'm in the best shape I've been in for maybe the past 5 years.

I'm taking this unusual change in my day to day routine as an opportunity to break old bad habits and spending this time on self improvement doing lots of calesthenics, working out, running and improving my diet.

I feel good and an already noticing muscle gains and far loss.

Same. I've kept my running routine and added time on the bike trainer (I'd go outside if this weather would realize that winter is over) 4 days a week.

 

[alistair]

Can't say I'm enjoying working from home, but it has allowed me to build up my average weekly running mileage.
I'm running 5 days per week and averaging 35 miles per week.

 

[Airborneguy]

Personal best!