Ok, I'm gonna be 50 soon....
Discussion
I'm going to hit 50 in January 2015, and I need some inspirational ideas, ( or stories of similar.I'm 6'3 and my weight varies from around 15 stone to 15 1/2 stone depending how poor my diet is at the time,waist size 37-38. Up to about 30 I was reasonably active (sport mad as a kid) and played football,cricket,golf all to decent levels.Then marriage and kids came along in my mid 30's and I've done virtually nothing since, other than the odd burst for 3 months of swimming, and then nothing again.
I've got arthritus in both knees and my feet/toes, and frankly spare time (yes that cop-out) is at a premium. For example, my week consists generally of 5.45 alarms Monday-Friday to be in work around 7.30 am-ish(18 mile commute by car,own business on a factory site,only a burger bar there so not many healthy eating options available).Evenings consist of every Monday/Wednesday/Friday straight in/straight out dashes to daughter/sons netball/football/drama etc,generally getting home on those nights around 9.45-10 pm..
The same applies at weekends,especially Sundays,where my son could literally be playing football anywhere in the country so we are quite often out all day.Even genuine good quality family time is at a pinch.
Anyway, if you've read this far then thanks,and I'll carry on making excuses!
Although swimming is the obvious activity with my arthritus,the time it takes to do 100+ lengths ( which is what I got up to previously) simply isn't viable.
I can't cycle to work as I need my car there through the day.
Running and sports that impact on the knees like badminton etc are out for obvious reasons.
I'm in a rut,I want to feel more vibrant,alert and healthy,and spend my 50th birthday knowing I've got a new focus on myself and my health.It doesn't help that one of my best mates has just turned 50 and did a full Ironman,so to say I feel inadequate is a f
king understatement!
So I'm a bit stuck,and welcome any ideas, encouragement or harsh words if you feel they're required!
I've got arthritus in both knees and my feet/toes, and frankly spare time (yes that cop-out) is at a premium. For example, my week consists generally of 5.45 alarms Monday-Friday to be in work around 7.30 am-ish(18 mile commute by car,own business on a factory site,only a burger bar there so not many healthy eating options available).Evenings consist of every Monday/Wednesday/Friday straight in/straight out dashes to daughter/sons netball/football/drama etc,generally getting home on those nights around 9.45-10 pm..
The same applies at weekends,especially Sundays,where my son could literally be playing football anywhere in the country so we are quite often out all day.Even genuine good quality family time is at a pinch.
Anyway, if you've read this far then thanks,and I'll carry on making excuses!
Although swimming is the obvious activity with my arthritus,the time it takes to do 100+ lengths ( which is what I got up to previously) simply isn't viable.
I can't cycle to work as I need my car there through the day.
Running and sports that impact on the knees like badminton etc are out for obvious reasons.
I'm in a rut,I want to feel more vibrant,alert and healthy,and spend my 50th birthday knowing I've got a new focus on myself and my health.It doesn't help that one of my best mates has just turned 50 and did a full Ironman,so to say I feel inadequate is a f
king understatement!So I'm a bit stuck,and welcome any ideas, encouragement or harsh words if you feel they're required!
You are not wanting for a few bob judging by the cars on your profile.
Step back from the business and look after yourself for a change - surely as the boss you can excuse yourself for a couple of hours 3 times a weeks to get some exercise and a healthy meal down you?
Number 1 priority - the health and happiness of your family. I hope you have the wisdom to realise that yes, it includes you too.
Step back from the business and look after yourself for a change - surely as the boss you can excuse yourself for a couple of hours 3 times a weeks to get some exercise and a healthy meal down you?
Number 1 priority - the health and happiness of your family. I hope you have the wisdom to realise that yes, it includes you too.
Eat less, buy some resistance bands or weights or some weights and use them. Resistance bands are brilliant if you're traveling - I do fairly decent weights in the gym and can still get a solid workout with them. Obviously with arthritic knees etc you might struggle with lunges etc but there's still plenty you can do.
Cardio is far from the be all and end all. A few months of clean eating and some weight training and you'll be amazed at the difference you feel, and you won't be doing stuff that gives your knees etc a hard time.
Take it from there, little changes go a long way to fueling the bigger ones. If you decide you want to do more you can add stuff in, and if you decide you'd rather be a lazy tub of guts you've not invested a great deal in equipment etc
Cardio is far from the be all and end all. A few months of clean eating and some weight training and you'll be amazed at the difference you feel, and you won't be doing stuff that gives your knees etc a hard time.
Take it from there, little changes go a long way to fueling the bigger ones. If you decide you want to do more you can add stuff in, and if you decide you'd rather be a lazy tub of guts you've not invested a great deal in equipment etc
You literally have to find just five minutes a day to start making a difference
Cross trainer/exercise bike/press ups?
I started back in to training doing press ups while I ran a bath in the morning!
Has made a difference, feel so much better
Good luck, take a pic of how you are now with your shirt off (for you!) and check it in a months time. I bet in that time you can notice a difference!!!
Cross trainer/exercise bike/press ups?
I started back in to training doing press ups while I ran a bath in the morning!
Has made a difference, feel so much better
Good luck, take a pic of how you are now with your shirt off (for you!) and check it in a months time. I bet in that time you can notice a difference!!!
vx220 said:
You literally have to find just five minutes a day to start making a difference
Cross trainer/exercise bike/press ups?
I started back in to training doing press ups while I ran a bath in the morning!
Has made a difference, feel so much better
Good luck, take a pic of how you are now with your shirt off (for you!) and check it in a months time. I bet in that time you can notice a difference!!!
This. 5 or 10 mins a day that's all you need for a start. 50 press ups 50 sit ups doesn't take that much time and you can do them anywhere. Home, office etc... And stay away from the burger van. Cross trainer/exercise bike/press ups?
I started back in to training doing press ups while I ran a bath in the morning!
Has made a difference, feel so much better
Good luck, take a pic of how you are now with your shirt off (for you!) and check it in a months time. I bet in that time you can notice a difference!!!
May be wildly off as I have no experience or knowledge of arthritis, but I'd expect weight training to help. The squat in particular is a slow, controlled movement which improves strength and flexibility - start light, very light - and increase slowly. Lump in shoulder press, deadlift and benchpress for a great all round regime that will benefit pretty much anyone.
You sound like a man who has spread himself thin, and I'm not talking about weight!
One thing I have realised as a family man, is I have to be selfish and say "no" to others when I need to exercise. You really do need to find regular time to set aside if you want to get fit and exercise, or play sport. Of course this doesn't mean I have to say no to the kids etc but I have to set boundaries.
However, you don't sound terribly overweight, and if you simply want to lose a bit of excess weight, you are going to have to look at your diet. For instance, you mention there is no choices for lunch as there's a burger van where you get your lunch. Again, you are going to need to instil some discipline. You can quite easily take a healthy lunch into work and not buy anything from the van.
Discipline, will power and focus is what you need to rediscover!
Good luck.
One thing I have realised as a family man, is I have to be selfish and say "no" to others when I need to exercise. You really do need to find regular time to set aside if you want to get fit and exercise, or play sport. Of course this doesn't mean I have to say no to the kids etc but I have to set boundaries.
However, you don't sound terribly overweight, and if you simply want to lose a bit of excess weight, you are going to have to look at your diet. For instance, you mention there is no choices for lunch as there's a burger van where you get your lunch. Again, you are going to need to instil some discipline. You can quite easily take a healthy lunch into work and not buy anything from the van.
Discipline, will power and focus is what you need to rediscover!
Good luck.
Edited by MYOB on Tuesday 12th August 15:32
Anyone 50+ and/or overweight who doesnt like the idea of Type 2 diabetes or even cancer should seriously learn to embrace intermittent fasting. No need to deny yourself anything you enjoy (really!) but a bit of discipline some of the time will do wonders for your overall health. The 5:2 diet is rather popular and the accompanying book "The Fast Diet" covers a lot of the reasons fasting is so good for one's longterm health. I've posted a lot about IF/5:2 on these forums but I do firmly believe them to be brilliant ways of having one's cake and eating it, so to speak!
Both my parents are 50+ and are completely into it after much pestering from me! They both feel fantastic and my Dad has effectively reversed his Type 2 diabetes and lost several stone whilst still eating/drinking exactly as he pleases 5 days a week.
Exercise is also of course going to be beneficial. My advice is to start small and build up, far less chance of overwhelming yourself and then giving up your new tough regime. Walking/cycling and swimming are IMO the best options.
Both my parents are 50+ and are completely into it after much pestering from me! They both feel fantastic and my Dad has effectively reversed his Type 2 diabetes and lost several stone whilst still eating/drinking exactly as he pleases 5 days a week.
Exercise is also of course going to be beneficial. My advice is to start small and build up, far less chance of overwhelming yourself and then giving up your new tough regime. Walking/cycling and swimming are IMO the best options.
Fitness is about making it fit your lifestyle but also about adjusting your lifestyle because your good health must be a priority. Whether it's doing some kind of training whilst waiting outside your kids' classes or cutting short your lunch to train, you can adjust your life.
I also wouldn't worry too much about eating unhealthily. If you're fat, it's because you're taking in too many calories for your activity levels. Whether it's about just having one sugar in your tea or going for black coffee to cut down on the milk or not having chips with your beef burger, you can make minor adjustments that will reduce your calorie intake. Of course, ultimately, it would be nice if you ate salad for lunch from produce grown in your own garden but for 99% of people going cold turkey on junk food will only result in a massive binge and quit. So cut down on the stuff you enjoy eating and slowly introduce healthier food (which typically is lower in calories) and you'll slowly move in the right direction.
I also wouldn't worry too much about eating unhealthily. If you're fat, it's because you're taking in too many calories for your activity levels. Whether it's about just having one sugar in your tea or going for black coffee to cut down on the milk or not having chips with your beef burger, you can make minor adjustments that will reduce your calorie intake. Of course, ultimately, it would be nice if you ate salad for lunch from produce grown in your own garden but for 99% of people going cold turkey on junk food will only result in a massive binge and quit. So cut down on the stuff you enjoy eating and slowly introduce healthier food (which typically is lower in calories) and you'll slowly move in the right direction.
Davel said:
Try to walk, climb stairs etc as much as possible.
Could you not go for a walk at lunchtime each day?
Forgot the stairs! Could you not go for a walk at lunchtime each day?
Unless you live in a bungalow, walk as quickly but quietly up the stairs as many times as possible, two or three at a time
Surprisingly difficult, takes a fair bit of breath.
Rest. Repeat. And so on.
I did this at 47,now 49.
Changed the lot, eat healthy and do lots of exercise.
After just a few weeks I started to feel better, more energy.
2 years on I feel great, still difficult to be motivated at times.
Finding time is fairly easy to be honest, it's easy to make excuses.
I work 10hr days, I have to take my son to many activities, I have 3 big dogs which need walking.
My wife expects me to do stuff around the house and yet even if it's 10pm at night, I'll still go for a run for 25mins.
I'm fitter now that when I was 20, probably slimmer too. I have set goals for my 50th.
Go for it, give it your best shot, I promise you it can transform your outlook on life.
Changed the lot, eat healthy and do lots of exercise.
After just a few weeks I started to feel better, more energy.
2 years on I feel great, still difficult to be motivated at times.
Finding time is fairly easy to be honest, it's easy to make excuses.
I work 10hr days, I have to take my son to many activities, I have 3 big dogs which need walking.
My wife expects me to do stuff around the house and yet even if it's 10pm at night, I'll still go for a run for 25mins.
I'm fitter now that when I was 20, probably slimmer too. I have set goals for my 50th.
Go for it, give it your best shot, I promise you it can transform your outlook on life.
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