Fitness = Ageless?

jyl · jyl's Garage

This is an interesting article for those of us in middle age or beyond.

How Exercise Keeps Us Young - NYTimes.com

Motivates me to defy the risks of cycling on the road, which I consider way overstated anyway.

HardDrive · 01-08-2015, 08:48 PM

My dad, 70, participating in the Key West Triathlon this winter.

Apollo · 01-08-2015, 09:31 PM

70? He looks in superb shape. Seriously he looks no older than 40!

SamC. · 01-09-2015, 05:40 AM

Knowing a little something about lifelong physical fitness, my hat is off to your Father - 70 and looking like that - he is a stud!

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

Diet and exercise are about 80%, genetics the rest. I got lucky on the genetics.

oldE · 01-09-2015, 06:08 AM

I think the use of the term "aging" in the article is misleading. We all know that if you want to maintain a certain level of fitness, you must keep working at it. If you stop, you will regress in muscle strength, muscle memory (which can affect balance) and endurance. I had the physiotherapist tell me yesterday my grip strength is greater than many younger men. I suspect they're not splitting and carrying wood, shingling, fencing and maintaining a property.
If my activities were centered around tapping a keyboard all day and lifting nothing heavier than a file folder, I might be built like my SIL's husband. He is 20 years younger than I, but is in seriously poor physical condition.

But aging? Unless he gets fit, I suspect I will make a better looking corpse.

I've known some guys who were in fantastic shape, right up until the time their time was up from heart attacks.
Best
Les

jyl · jyl's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by HardDrive

My dad, 70, participating in the Key West Triathlon this winter.

I recall he center punched a deer at 30 mph on his bike a couple years ago. Any lasting issues from that? Did he nail a nurse?

stuartj · 01-09-2015, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HardDrive

My dad, 70, participating in the Key West Triathlon this winter.

(snipped)

Bloody hell. Impressive, and inspirational.

vash · vash's Garage

Harddrive..high five dad for me. that is awesome!!

me? i'm hoping proper sleep and hydration does it. hahah..

HardDrive · 01-09-2015, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyl

I recall he center punched a deer at 30 mph on his bike a couple years ago. Any lasting issues from that? Did he nail a nurse?

He wasn't in any condition for bedroom antics for a long while.

Only lasting issue has been his sense of equilibrium. He had terrible vertigo for about a year. At this point he's about 95% cured.

HardDrive · 01-09-2015, 07:58 AM

Since I'm shamelessly bragging about the old man, let me add this detail. He took third (in his age group) in the world triathlon championships in Alberta, CA last summer.

Dad's in the middle. Man to his left is Dave Furey, long time family friend. His in his late 50s. Excellent athlete.

VINMAN · 01-09-2015, 08:03 AM

Major props to your dad, HD! Too many of us succumb to the " I'm getting to old for this" syndrome.

.

creaturecat · 01-09-2015, 09:14 AM

Impressive. Yessir.
Pretty tough keeping the muscle mass, later in life.

dan88911 · 01-09-2015, 01:50 PM

It's all about quality of life while you are still here to enjoy it. There are no guarantees on longevity. And if you don't use your muscles you are to sure loose muscle mass as well your other physical abilities.

jyl · jyl's Garage

Harddrive, tell your dad there's a bunch of guys hoping they grow up to be like him.