I Like Working Out
I have always tried to enjoy a healthy lifestyle and as I have aged this has become even more true. I will turn 50 this year, a milestone in many ways. And for me maybe even a bit more significant given my dad passed at 50, far too young even 30 years ago.
It wasn’t long after his passing that I joined my first gym. I was 20 at the time and was off to college. Needless to say, I think a spent more time in the gym signing up to be a member than actually working out. College and all the great things about college seemed to suck up my time. I’ll work out tomorrow was almost always my standard answer to myself.
That all changed however when I got married. For some reason getting married was a turn point for many things, including me waking up and realizing I was an adult. And as an adult I needed to take care of myself. I was not one person any longer, I had responsibility to another to stay health and live a long life. So my wife and I joined the gym together. The working out together thing however never seemed to work that well. But we both went and did our own workouts.
It wasn’t long after this that I really got into the groove of working out. And these days, 26 years later I almost never miss a workout. I actually miss it when I do go as crazy as that might sound.
Although I’ve had to tone it down a bit as I’ve aged, I still go 4 days a week. I’ve broken my body into 4 groups, shoulders, chest, arms and legs/core. The back gets some work on all days but particularly on core days. I focus on each body group one day per week and spend about an hour.
I recently (this past Saturday actually) came home and was checking myself in the mirror. I really feel good and think for 49 plus look pretty dam good as well. So I guess 26 years in the gym is paying off.
Of course working out is only part of the story, eating right is another big piece. I have always also tried to maintain a healthy diet. Allowing myself one sorta bad day a week. But for me, even a bad day isn’t so bad. In fact, I can’t recall the last time I drove through a drive through.
If you're looking for a great book to setup or shake up your workout I would recommend this one. It's loaded with great information, is easy to understanding and provides good graphics that will show you the specific movements and muscles involved.
http://www.amazon.com/Strength-Training-Anatomy-3rd-Frederic-Delavier/dp/0736092269/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1336643858&sr=8-3
