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In my youth, my fitness centered around a big bench press and show muscles. As I entered middle age, I believed that I needed to compete with people half my age in order to validate my exercise program. Now, as a father, entrepreneur, and a 50-something with the beginnings of arthritis and the aftermath of major knee surgery, my goals have shifted.
I am still competitive in many areas with people half my age but that is no longer my focus. I now focus on the quality of my movement, maintaining my plyometric ability (one of the first things to go as we age), my flexibility, and the sophistication of my movement. This has meant an increase in my yoga, more bodyweight strength training, the inclusion of sprints and hill running, and the use of bands and medicine balls. I wish I lived in a more rural environment so that my fitness could take on more of the aspects of play.
My workouts are shorter but more productive. I include things that my younger children can join in on – unlike a 400lb. squat. I pay more attention to nutrition and recovery methods like sleep and meditation. My programming is more intellectually challenging and more fun than the days when I strove to maintain a 300+ bench press and 17 in. arms.
In coming posts, I will share with you my fitness journey along with resources and research that can help you on the path to full expression.
