Food for thought re general health, fitness and aethestics
I came across this post and it gave me some food for thought as I reflect on (moreso, struggle with) my own physical and mental/spiritual struggle of finding what I want and need for fitness, performance, aesthetics and happiness.
Interesting. I won't get into the theories espoused there but as for the bit about training for performance I agree.
I've come around to training for performance rather than aesthetics, both for myself (bye-bye to most isolation work years ago) and clients (trying to strike a balance). Even if one's goal is to look better then if you are getting stronger/better conditioned + eating clean then I've yet to see a person that doesn't look and feel better.
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Working "hard," or the perception of working hard, doesn't really mean anything. Sweating, vomiting, and breathing hard could be a good workout or a tropical disease kicking in.-Dan John
I definitely train for performance. And, being leaner and lighter would likely help performance, too. However, dieting makes me feel less alert and energetic, so I eat enough to feel good and recover. But that extra 10 or 15 pounds on a guy my size means that I don't exactly have a classic lean martial artist look; more I look like a soft in the middle old guy. I've never been lean (used to be about 25 pounds fatter), but at nearly 50 years old and with less testosterone than my teen aged daughter, I can't drop the weight easily at all, unless I really cut cals, and I don't like that feeling. I'm trying to come to terms with training to perform, eating to feel good, recover and have energy, and live with the non-aesthetic outcome.
Sounds like you might need to look at your diet. Might not be the cals. your taking in but rather the ratio of your protein/fat/carbs may need to be adjusted.
Are you already doing alot of conditioning work? Perhaps a change up is the call - go on a strict strength protocol, or whatever the opposite of what you've been doing may be.
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Working "hard," or the perception of working hard, doesn't really mean anything. Sweating, vomiting, and breathing hard could be a good workout or a tropical disease kicking in.-Dan John
Are you already doing alot of conditioning work? Perhaps a change up is the call - go on a strict strength protocol, or whatever the opposite of what you've been doing may be.
Interesting. I was working more strength. Now I've added in more conditioning, but still trying to get some strength in. Perhaps must a lot of MA and conditioning focus for a while. A few sets of strength work once a week or so. Thanks for the input/perspective, Chris.
Seriously, I don't know your eating style, but lean meat and veggies are fruit sound good in principal, but they aren't the best for your hormones. Whole eggs, animal fat, cream, butter, etc. Saturated fat might help. Fat definitely helps.
Even if one's goal is to look better then if you are getting stronger/better conditioned + eating clean then I've yet to see a person that doesn't look and feel better.
I started lifting when I was over 50.
I started lifting to build muscle mass and strengthen my bones. While I have gotten stronger, and I feel great, I still look like hell. Old age is not kind to post-menopausal women, as far as looks go. That's why I concentrate on what my body can do, not on what I look like, otherwise, I'd be too depressed to leave the house.
That's why I concentrate on what my body can do, not on what I look like, otherwise, I'd be too depressed to leave the house.
LOL That made me laugh. That's my point.
Chris/Roland: Yeah, I've read some of that about testosterone, but thanks for the links; I'll check those out. I have a nice, low blood pressure and a great cholesterol profile. It's winter; might as well eat more eggs and beef (grass fed, of course.). Hmmmm . . . butter. Thanks for the thoughts!
Food for thought re general health, fitness and aethestics
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