At 13:13 12/29/98 , Ralph Lewis wrote:
>Sashal, it doesn't have to be that way. At 56 and at my doctors insistence I
>joined Gold's gym and started a cardio/bodybuilding program. It made a
>difference in 3 months. Now to see if I can keep up the program.
>
I started taking aerobics classes with middle-age clerical workers at my first job, and could not keep up. Now I am frustrated that in the Boston aerobics competition I didn't make it past semi-finals (well, it was the first time I competed), my cardiovascular fitness test gives me 10 points above my trainer, etc. Feels a bit weird, I am definitely dramatically better physically than I ever was in my youth. Funny, it creates more problems with the mundanes. My landlady seemed to like me a lot more when I was slow and depressed. No surprises then. An energetic guy looks much more suspicious.
The exercise is a bit hard to stop though. I know I can't keep doubling my bench press every year, but I don't really need to either. And yet, the goal of maintenance doesn't seem to be as exciting as rapid progress. Sure, I still can't do many things, like my push-up in a hand stand still doesn't quite work, or I could always be a bit stronger and faster - but I'm not trying to turn myself into a professional athlete, and yes, I know it's a bit too late.
Anybody wants to suggest some glorious fitness goals that may seem worth achieving at this age?