Posted: 8/24/2007 9:58:59 AM EDT
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Hey guys, I'm 40 years old, and I made a lot of diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes about a year ago. In that time I went from ~215lb to 178lb (I'm 6'1"). I was actually down to 170lb for a while, but decided I had to work too hard at diet to maintain it. At 178 I can pretty much each what I want at my current activity & exercise level (though I still watch what I eat and try to keep it mostly healthy). I started running about eight months ago, and now alternate between running and working out at the gym. I either run 3.1 miles (5km) or do 45 minutes on an elliptical trainer, six days a week. My run times for the 5km are consistently in the range of 25:00 to 25:30, and if I push myself really hard I can do it in about 22:55. I don't pay attention to how much weight I lift in the gym, since I'm more concerned with general health, cardio endurance, and overall muscle tone than "getting big." I've always been in "good" shape (though obviously I was overweight at 215), but now I feel like I am closer to my goal of being in "great" shape. I'm in better shape at 40 than I was at 25. So opinions, how am I doing? |
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Ok, I'll bite. First, congrats on losing the weight. It is tough for a 40 year old (I am 40 myself) to do this - especially if you were not a regular exerciser prior to losing the weight. IMHO it is also great that you did it with exercise and made the decision to continue to exercise. Basically losing 45 lbs is very impressive. The run times are pretty good too - about what I can do - perhaps a little better even. I have never been a fast runner the best I ever did was about 7:20 or so miles - I can just keep going and going like the energizer bunny if I need to. I think you are doing extremely well and you should take pleasure in the fact that you are in better physical shape than the vast majority (I would say 95%) of men your age. If you want validation you've got it. Bottom line though, you don't need me to tell you that you are doing well. You did it for yourself. You provided your own willpower. You provided your own motivation. Basically, you are forever changed mentally - where it really counts. Plus, if you are married or have GF - I would bet that they appreciate the fact that you look better. A buddy of mine got me doing the APFT (army physical fitness test) just to see where I rank. I'm not telling! But, try it - just do a search on line for the chart and see where you come out on the test. I was thinking of doing the full test and then posting it as a challenge thread for others. Keep working out. Regards. |
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Thanks guys... I'm not really looking for validation, so much as just trying to see where I stack among other people my age that are working hard at fitness. It sounds like I'm in the right ballpark at least...Claudius, it sounds like you are going great! I started running in the morning instead of the afternoon heat, and it made a big difference. Thanks for the feedback! Andy |