At 55+ is it even possible to show a six pack?

[djmcmath]

Originally Posted by epbrown

This is something a lot of people forget or don't know. The people in pictures with a six pack that are over 35 or so look like that for the picture - bodybuilder, fitness models, and trainers don't look competition ready all the time; the most disciplined stay at a point where they can get there with 4-6 weeks notice. Prolonged periods at 5% body fat or less makes for a miserable existence, and no one does it.

That's a really great point. I have shifted to the super-low-fat diet and intense workout for a few weeks at a shot, and the results are astounding. I'm a generally pretty fit guy, but if I shift to "mostly salad" and "no beer" for even a couple of weeks, I look noticeably better. If I had the discipline (and desire) to hold that diet for 6 full weeks, I suspect I'd have a very well-defined 6-pack.

But ... I like beer. I homebrew, you know, and I live in a small town that has 5 breweries. And, you know, burgers are delicious.

So it's kind of encouraging to know that even models don't normally live like that, but live within a month or so of that ridiculous physique.

[911 Rod]

No Beer?
What about moderation and just being happy with yourself?

[djmcmath]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

No Beer?
What about moderation and just being happy with yourself?

I'm a single guy. I find that ladies often claim to be interested in men who are simply happy with themselves, but their actions tend to say they prefer a guy who's happy with himself ... and is also unusually fit, good at witty banter, has a nice house/car, and so on.

[stevej37]

^^^ Agreed...I also have a good banter!

[Don Ro]

...and wants him to travel to every spot on the planet with her, is satisfied with his SUCCESSFUL career, possesses social acumen, financially stable/secure, loves to dance, loves animals, practices the Golden Rule, works out 3 - 4 times weekly, and on and on.
Looking for Mr. Goodbar all over again.
One can hardly avoid viewing most women on Match.com who make a long list such as this (and many do) as child-like.
Oh, and 10 yrs. younger than she.

[epbrown]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

What about moderation and just being happy with yourself?

One thing I like about guys is how we claim we should be loved for just being ourselves - loved by women under 35 who spend hours and a small fortune keeping in shape and looking good. We already have it easy. I'm regularly complimented on what good shape I'm in, and I spend less time per week working out than the average woman spends on her fingernails.

If we ask women to lower their standards any further, we'll be competing for girls with guys in the local coma ward. After all, they just lay around all day too, and they're better listeners.



*no wonder Maggie Gyllenhaal (sp?) is pissed.

[kach22i]

There is a strong positive reaction once you start getting in shape, and it comes from complete strangers, relatives you see just once a year, friends you see monthly and weekly, and even your own wife - across the board really.

I love it when women half my age start talking to me and giving me all sorts of attention, and I'm not even at my goal yet.

One commonality is the touching of the back of my arm, my triceps to be specific.

It is either considered a safe spot to touch, or people want to see if my arms have gotten as big as they look, the old is it fat or muscle question perhaps.

I'm not doing the 300 push ups a day I was doing last year, but I do 150 as part of my warm up.

What used to be my full workout is now just part of my warm-up, be it cut back a bit.

I've been doing Scooby1961's chest work out (on Youtube) for about a month now, and I might meet my two years in April goal. That simple goal was to look good in clothes, with my chest sticking out further than my gut. Right now they are about even because of my large rib-cage.

The warm weather we have been having here lately is really helping, I'm discovering many new county parks to explore. However I am hoping for a return of snow, I just did a brisk walk in the woods (good tummy flattener) which took 45 minutes, but in the snow it took nearly double that time and had me soaking in sweat. A good workout in the snow is challenging, and much cleaner than in the mud.

[911 Rod]

Woman will take rich over a guy who is obsessed with his looks. Just saying .....

[fintstone]

If primarily trying to attract women, I would guess that the best bet is to be relatively wealthy and successful...and be fit and healthy (or a rock star). A good education (well read/ability to speak well) and good grooming would likely not hurt either. None are very difficult to achieve...but few do. As one ages, failure to achieve these things become more and more obvious and the ability to change direction does as well. Youthful good looks only last so long.

Lots of guys (and women) let themselves go because they are married. That seems counterintuitive to me as it seems one would want to remain attractive to their spouse...and if the marriage fails to last, have some ability to market themselves again.

Obviously, when you are a senior, hair, teeth, mobility and finances seem to go a long way if interested in women your own age. Best advice to youngsters seem to be...don't become obese...and floss.

[Don Ro]

Originally Posted by fintstone

If primarily trying to attract women, I would guess that the best bet is to be relatively wealthy and successful...and be fit and healthy (or a rock star). A good education (well read/ability to speak well) and good grooming would likely not hurt either. None are very difficult to achieve...but few do. As one ages, failure to achieve these things become more and more obvious and the ability to change direction does as well. Youthful good looks only last so long.

Lots of guys (and women) let themselves go because they are married. That seems counterintuitive to me as it seems one would want to remain attractive to their spouse...and if the marriage fails to last, have some ability to market themselves again.

Obviously, when you are a senior, hair, teeth, mobility and finances seem to go a long way if interested in women your own age. Best advice to youngsters seem to be...don't become obese...and floss.

Pretty much covered all the bases here, old man. Right down to personal hygiene.
I might alter this just a bit:
.
"As one ages, failure to achieve these things become more and more obvious and the ability to change direction does as well."
.
More often than not, it's the lack of willingness to achieve, rather than the failure...

[fintstone]

Yes, at all ages...just like investing, wasting a previous decade or more in any area/endeavor really makes it hard to catch up. An average joe who has maintained the above reasonably well is a rock star with women around his age and older at 55+...and if lucky enough to carry their age fairly well and have some game, pretty competitive with ladies decades younger. A six pack and/or big guns are not necessary, but a fairly flat stomach and some muscle tone seems to pay off well.

[911 Rod]

You guys are really bringing down these guys that are on a quest too live their youth with six pack abs.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

You guys are really bringing down these guys that are on a quest too live their youth with six pack abs.

Well, once you have achieved most of the goals you set for yourself as a young man (Porsche in the driveway etc...), you may very well wish to return to those activities you once gave up in the pursuit of success.

A few years ago I weighed my options, continue on the then current path and most likely die before my time, or make a change for the long term.

I took the long view, but that was my choice.

There has got to be a balance, and I'm still juggling/struggling with that myself.

Short term verses long term, sometimes they are both the same and sometimes they are not.

[stuartj]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

You guys are really bringing down these guys that are on a quest too live their youth with six pack abs.

I'm sure that is a motivator some Rod, but for many its simply about being as fit as you can be and living a reasonable, non obsessive life.

I was recently at a gathering of six very old friends, we're all the same age. One is an airline pilot, who loves a drink, and despite living a first class, five star hotel international lifestyle, is as hard as nails. I can ride a bike 100km at a time with guys half my age. We were the only two of six not on some cocktail of permanent medications- for diabetes, heart, cholesterol and blood pressure conditions. Thats what motivates me.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by stuartj

..........We were the only two of six not on some cocktail of permanent medications- for diabetes, heart, cholesterol and blood pressure conditions. Thats what motivates me.

Exactly, and I know someone getting injections into their eyeball for Diabetes.

Your choice; start working out or get a needle in the eye - and pay thousands for each shot.


It's a no-brainer folks.

I take nothing but a few vitamins.

Best part is no more migraine headaches, not in two years of exercising, and I used to get them once or twice a month.

[LeeH]

My dad had his first heart attack at age 56. I was 12 years old. A couple of years later he had his second heart attack. A few years after that he had open heart surgery. The message from the doctor was if you don't eat healthy and exercise you're going to die. He started doing both. Ultimately he lived to be 77 and died of lung disease, not heart issues. This all got my attention in a big way.

Really don't think I've ever been out of shape. I weighed 165 when I graduated high school and weigh the same today. Max I've seen is close to 180... when my wife was pregnant - due to helping her with her cravings. Can't quite bring myself to post a shirtless selfie on the internet, but will say that at 2 months from being 53 I'm pretty happy with my health and appearance.

[djmcmath]

Originally Posted by epbrown

One thing I like about guys is how we claim we should be loved for just being ourselves - loved by women under 35 who spend hours and a small fortune keeping in shape and looking good.

I'm not sure this really captures the point. The reality is that the market is competitive. I want to settle down with a woman with desirable attributes. That kind of woman is looking for certain things in a man. The other men in the market know that, and are also seeking to be desirable.

As I think about it, finding a good spouse is probably shockingly similar to finding a good buyer for a house. We pretend that it's about tangible things like the granite countertops and the view (or the flat belly and the Porsche in the driveway), but nobody really surveys buyers to understand what rationale they used, and most of us suspect that most home purchases are basically emotional decisions rather than rational ones.

Back to the point: I'd be interested in food tips for a flat belly. How do you discipline yourself to reduce the fat? Got any good recipes that are delicious and healthy?

[Don Ro]

https://encrypted.google.com/#q=what+is+the+difference+between+paleo+and+medite rranean+diet&*

[Evans, Marv]

The only tips I might suggest about earning a decent and healthy weight as far as eating is concerned is to develop the habit of avoiding too much fatty and sugary foods. The other is to quit eating when you feel like you've had enough rather than finishing everything on your plate and on the table. I never liked the idea of following any kind of prescribed diet. Of course any diet should be accompanied with some form of calorie burning exercise on at least a semi regular basis. Also as somebody said prior to this, "Everything in moderation."

[Moses]

Of course I've got a 6-pack! (It's just at the back of the fridge!)