I see both points of view, my old man is 6' and been a HARD worker all his life. Lots of commercial fishing etc. he is now in his late 60's and strong and healthy. He never works out, just hits the elyptical trainer once in awhile. Me, I work out daily. Stretching, lots of exercises to move body through space. Lots of bench press, lots of weights and I change it up constantly. Every set strive to push myself to failure. I just love being strong. Always have. Working out was a part of daily life since I can remember. Just how I have always done it I guess. Don't know what I would do without that release of giving 100% physically. Test my limits. I find that for me it mentally sets me up to give 100% in other areas. Helps keep me sharp mentally. Helps to tighten mental focus when as a habit you have to in order to complete a workout or a set of kata in a dojo. Are there days when my knees and back and everything else bothers me? Yup. But, workin out also allows me to perform at a high level in other areas because of the increased fine motor control, all the way to the increase in agility given by familiarity with ones limits. I think.

And on this adversity subject, here is to Anderson Silva, greatest fighter on planet earth, giving it his ALL last night and snapped his leg clean. Absolutely tragic injury to a gifted fighter. If any man can overcome it will be Mr.Silva.

Just saw the leg! Fuuuuzzzz! He can do it! If anyone can, he can. Thoughts with him!
W

Thanks Alg8r! Yeah, I hear that warning loud and clear. As I get older its takin longer to recover from certain workouts, I have been monitoring those areas of my workout pretty close. I will move forward with a more cautious attitude towards my joints!

I find with us taller guys and heavier guys, the joints do not react well to high impact activity.
For us pool, bike, elliptical is the cardio path. Weights or weight bearing lifting is something to be disciplined and watch, but there is nothing else that allows up to be stronger.

Good advice Alligator! Where is you back trouble? I bet you it's lower L3, L4, L5?

W

I can relate to you alg8er. I am only 47, but I can feel my decisions of my youth catching up with me. Never much into sports, but I got into weightlifting very heavily in my early 20's. I felt and looked my best at 6'-2". 225 lb.s. Even at that weight I had a 33-34" waist and could bench press 390 for 2-3 reps. In exchange for those gains, I had bad elbows and shoulders. After getting married, having kids, and starting a business, things changed. Still 6'-2, but the waist is a 38-40, and the weight is at 250. I recently joined a gym again and am doing low impact exercises, some cardio, water aerobics, and such with the 45 and up groups. They keep it simple, and I still get a good workout. Though I now have a degenerating disk in my lower back and artheritis, I continue to move, and it helps. Starting in Jan, my plans are to combine the working out with eating right (more fruits, veggies, and only lean meats). My goal is to lose 20 lbs by April 1st. If I can stick to my eating changes it should be possible. Blood pressure, cholesterol,etc. are all great. My resting heart rate is still 58-62. Only medication is for acid reflux. Hopefully these life changes can help with that.

Black I second your experience. Moderation, diet and low weight high reps is the key to life!

My workout... Wearing 16" leather steel toe, dual steel shank hoffman's, Fire resistant cargo jeans and long sleeve shirt with a hard hat. walking up to the bitch, looking up all the way. Strap on my hooks (appx. 5lbs). Strap on my tool belt (appx. 30 lbs). Sink the first hook in, grab the bitch and start hiking! By time ya get to the top, yo ass is sweating, heat rate is quick, muscles are aching all over! SHAZZZZAM! Now do your work, then climb down the bitch. The whole time this is going on, be sure not to cut out and fall off! That would hurt!

* Last updated by: smatlock42 on 12/30/2013 @ 11:25 AM *

Hey Wolf, This is all you need to get in shape. I put this stuff together a few years back and love it. No distractions, I just crank some good tunes and get after it.

* Last updated by: wfozx14 on 12/30/2013 @ 4:26 PM *

IMO i've always thought you use it to much everything be it man or machine,you will wear it out,I have some limitations with my right leg now,but in saying that I still outwork all the younger Boilermakers at work, then go home and do several hours hard renos straight after! besides my downtime with that smashed leg I know im more active then most people I know younger or a similar age of mine at 51 it,s great being a health nut while you wear a younger mans pants! so to speak,but most give that away with injuries/family & getting older as we seem to be time poor!

* Last updated by: bean07 on 12/30/2013 @ 4:35 PM *

Fox!!!
Bean
Full of piss and vinegar! That trident work ethic is not possible to instill through training. Wither your build like a bean or not! My compliments beano!
W

Alag8ter that's a world of pain I know. I can RE LATE!!!
What do you do for your back when it is bad?

Al is there a surgical alternative that might help? A fuse of disk replacement. Have you explored these options?

Apparently there are a few good specialists out there!

W

Sorry meant to say fused disk or disk replacement. Would these help?

Smatlock my man, that is CRAZZZEEEEE. I would shit myself. I'm terrified of heights. That's balls right there buddy! And Bean, damn buddy, I like the way you execute the plan!
Wfo, that workout room is straight flawless! I'm jealous!

Hey C, I'm fling terrified of heights! Another common point. My dad was too!

Yeah bud, it is weird, my entire life, just always been that way. Nothing changes it. I just get Tank to climb ladders for me! :))

Dude I'm the same way. Props to our boy Smat though.

Wolf; I've seen so many surgeons..... A few say they an fix me up, but they won't answer a simple question....What joint are you going to fuse? They can't do all 7, so it's a crap shoot for them to get the right one. One guy said he'd figure it out once he got in there. Like I'm letting him in there! The one cutter I believed, said to wait till I either couldn't walk, was pissing myself, or the pain was too much. He said to only do it once. Multiple surgeries rarely work out, the longer I can wait the better the technology, and the worse my symptoms, the better chance they have of getting the right joint. I injured my back in '94 and again (worse) in '96. I'm used to it, or at least learning to cope. I just got done shoveling and blowing snow for an hour. I'll be sore tomorrow, but I can handle that. I'm not a cripple yet. I don't want anyone to get the impression I'm looking for sympathy. Just trying to help people understand the pitfalls of being careless in daily life.

Smat you are a bold man for working the lines, gotta be a good view from up there

On fitness

2009 423 Lbs

2011 320 Lbs

2013 248 Lbs

I am 6' 3" bad joints from search and rescue, dirt bikes, logging and three car wrecks at 100 plus in my early years. For me it takes cardio (up to 14 miles at times usually 4 miles a week), eating good food (mostly), free weights and just PHUCKING getting it.

Now if the bank would just understand that I need that loan for my 14 before spring I wold be a happy man!!

* Last updated by: FrankTheTank on 1/1/2014 @ 11:36 PM *

Alag8ter thank you, they tell me the same thing "wait" till its intolerable etc... I understand sometimes the best thing is solid self care, knowing what you can tolerate and staying healthy. I thank you for your honesty and salute your I'm going to shovel my sh@t and move on! Good on yah! I wouldn't worry about sympathy everyone on hear admires honesty. On the topic of genuine blokes. Frank You are on true dude and a hell of a guy! I am proud to know yah. You have slimmed down tremendously and I know you work on it! Congrats. Looking good my brotha. The loan will come, look how far you have come. No wonder they call yah tank, a pillar of strength you are.

Gentlemen I'm glad to know you both! To Al and Tank, happy 2014, two solid dudes with boat loads of "I will not quit," and that is the solid truth!

Shazam Tank! It's hard to tell from that last pic how different ya look lately! Awesome work my brother! Now let's drag that bench around to ur garage and we can at least be grabbin sets in the am! :) Just a fantastic job Tank! You have done frickin amazing! The transformation has been awesome to see bro!

True work ethic and a butt load of iron will and you get everything you have coming, stay vigilant!!

It's interesting to read about everyone, it is true what they say, everyone has a story of faith, overcoming and goal oriented mind set over matter. Now, 2014, "lets go get it," sorry to steal your line Bobby!

* Last updated by: Wolfman on 1/2/2014 @ 2:24 PM *