For years, really decades, I would say to myself: I need to get in shape. Someday soon I will. Then life happened, a new baby or a new job that often meant moving somewhere new. Someday turned into next month, then next year and never happened. A lot of men have the same story and you see them all the time, middle aged White guys with no muscle tone, a belly hanging over their pants and a general softness about them. This has been sliding down the age scale to the point that young White boys today are as weak and soft as girls when I was growing up.
It is encouraging to see that there are still lots of White men that show up to the gym and put in the work and that new people show up all the time. Most don’t stick with it but some do. For me the toughest barrier to getting started and sticking with it was that I always heard that whisper in my mind: You are too old. You just turned 50. Don’t bother.
I still hear that voice. For long stretches it seemed like I was making very little progress. It could be tough to make myself go some mornings. The excuses would fly around my head. I didn’t get enough sleep last night, I have stuff to do, I have a headache, or my favorite: I will go later today, which usually meant I wouldn’t go at all. What keeps me going was reminding myself:
I have never regretted going to work out but I have often regretted when I didn’t.
I don’t know where you are right now but most of my readers seem to be around my age so I wanted to share this video from Paul Waggener about a question he gets a lot: is it too late, am I too old to start something new.
I like it, short and to the point and the end was hilarious. I am not going to start doing Jujutsu but I would like to do some sort of fight training, not to get some belt or win some trophies but just so that if push comes to shove I can do more than push and shove (or go for my firearm).
Every day you make a series of decisions, and deciding to do nothing is definitely a decision. Making the wrong decisions is pretty easy and making the right decisions is often pretty hard but as life has taught me and I am sure taught you, very little that is worthwhile comes easy.
I don’t remember who said this but it was told to a graduating class at West Pointe I believe. But anyway a general who addressed the class told them they have two directions they can go ” You can choose discipline or regret” and I think about quite regularly when there’s something that I really don’t want to
I have never found regret to be a satisfying emotion.
There are a great many that are unsatisfying. Regret is probably the most deeply and profoundly unsatisfying.
I started doing jiu jitsu when I was 70…highly recommended!
Think in terms of one of the striking arts. It takes a few years and the discipline to condition your body but like anything it’s worth it – as has been noted above. Unlike a firearm, you always have it with you, and it’s right there.
Had that discussion with a close friend of mine. We’ve hunted all over the country for the last 20 years. He’s in his late 70s, still runs 4 miles on alternate days. State champion wrestler in his youth. He asked why I trained 3 nights a week “I don’t need that, I’ve got a.357.”
Got the gun on you?
No.
Where is it?
Nightstand
Loaded?
….
…
No
I’ve always got the karate on me.
Congratulations on the jiujitsu belt at 70. One of our guys just got his Cho-dan at 72. Now it gets fun..
I just happened to catch that same video yesterday. Inspiring. Honestly, my discipline has faltered greatly over the last year – the 2nd bout of the Coof really cut me down. But I haven’t given up, nor will I!
Thanks for reinforcing the inspiration Arthur!
I read the book “Younger Next Year” when I was 49.
It is for men over 50.
Highly recommend it.
Good on you, Arthur, keep it up.
Put the time in…at 66 had been doing right all along..ahead of the class..stroke at 67..working my way back..not a jab or anything to reconcile the kick in the balls..glad I did the foundation the first time.
One of my favorite bands sang, “If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.” Somewhat apropos here. Hey, ain’t nothin to it but to do it, as ive heard roundabouts here.
I remember an old line – what’s the best hand position for Karate?
Around the butt of a .45ACP
I definitely agree with the ‘Keep Moving’ exercise effort. My hands would have arthritic pain, but I work on a computer and typing seems to keep them limber enough. I go to gym 3 days a week and walk dog 5 days a week as well for cardio Places with stairs are great for that btw. I keep a pair of dumb bells in living room so I can do a light work out any time I am in living room.
Key is do something. Anything that requires movement. Because when you rust, it is much harder to get moving again.
Every day has possibilities. Even the final one. It’s all in what we do with them.
Suggestion: “La Canne” aka “Bartitsu”. Stick fighting…