The other day, I talked in one of my Facebook Live presentations about why I became a personal trainer and decided to specialize in senior fitness. Today, I think I’ll expand on that a little bit.
I became a personal trainer in the beginning to try and inspire older folks like myself and help them move better and feel better. That’s part of it, but there’s more to it than that, really.
Feeling good physically is just part of the deal.
At this age, having the “perfect” body, being all fit and trim and ripped like some young buck is not really a priority. It would be nice, sure, but that shit takes a helluva lotta work. A whole lotta time and energy.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m a big believer in physical fitness. Learning to pole vault and getting in shape has helped turn my life around over the past few years — no doubt about it.
But I’m not in the gym 2 hours a day. I don’t follow a strict nutrition plan, measuring everything I eat; counting calories; adding up grams of protein, carbs, and fat; making sure I get the correct amounts and proportions of everything; taking this and that supplement; measuring my bodyfat all the time.
I eat healthier than most people most of the time, but I also eat Mexican food, pizza, cheeseburgers, ice cream, stuff like that. Not ALL the time, but if I want some, I have some.
Yesterday, I made a casserole that includes potatoes on the bottom, ground turkey on top of that, diced red and green bell peppers and poblano pepper, cream of mushroom soup, sliced mushrooms, and cheese on top. Bake at 375 for a half-hour and grab a large spoon, man.
How many calories does that have per serving? Hell if I know. How much protein, carbs and fat per serving? Who cares?
I’m gettin’ ready to have some for lunch, as soon as I finish writing this blog post.
I’ve lost about 45 pounds over the past few years, and I plan to lose another 15 to get down to my goal weight, which is 190 pounds. I’m just under 6-2.
But I don’t obsess about it. I’ve been stuck for a while now between 202 and 205.
I got down back in December to 197 and was pretty happy about that, but then the holiday eating season came along and, well, I put on a few pounds.
It’s OK. I’ll get there.
One thing about it is, even though I’m retired now from teaching school, I’m still as busy as I want to be — busy as hell sometimes.
- I write regularly for a few newspapers.
- I write books (just published a new one)
- I do personal training down at the gym.
- I have my own training schedule.
- I’m working every day on an online training/coaching business.
That’s a lot … and did I mention I’m RETIRED?
There are only so many hours in a day, and sometimes, I don’t feel like doing shit!!!
I always have things on the to-do list, but some days the list is shorter than others. Know what I mean?
Being physically fit is important, maybe even the foundation for everything else, but it’s only part of the equation.
That’s why my motto is: “It’s Never Too Late to Achieve a Dream.”
When I turned 60, I was in a really deep rut. In a way, I kinda thought the story was over … or at least, the end was near.
Now?
Hell, no, man.
There’s a lot I’m still looking forward to.
Like I said, I think physical fitness is the foundation for everything, especially at this age.
But I’ve also dealt throughout my life with things like depression, anxiety, addiction, recovery.
It’s hard to do much of anything constructive when you feel like shit, mentally or physically — or both.
When I first started learning to pole vault, practicing every Sunday morning in New Braunfels, Texas, and started getting back into the gym, it wasn’t an overnight cure for what had become a drinking problem for the second time in my life. I carried on my wayward son for another six months after that before I finally was able to put the plug in the jug and get straightened out.
If you want to talk about physical fitness — starting an exercise program — I’m here to help.
If you want to talk about depression and anxiety, addiction and recovery, other issues — I’m here to help with that, too.
