Mahler's Monday Morning Motivator #47: Mahler at 56. - JP Fitness Forums

Mahler · 01-10-2005, 07:41 AM

Mahler’s Monday Morning Motivator # 47: Mahler at 56

Good Morning, guys.
Tomorrow, Jan. 11, I will turn 56. I make a point of this because this is the time of year that the forums get a lot of newbies with the good intentions of making a change in their lives as far as fitness is concerned. Many are young and just looking to get those chick magnets in shape for spring break. A good number are guys headed for mid-life crisis and wondering if there is anything they can do to drop the gut and get back some of that vitality they had in their youth. The answer is a resounding, yes. Young and old alike, don’t sell yourself short. Basically what I am saying is this. If I can do it, you can do it. I grew up having all the athletic ability of a garden slug. I would probably have lost out if I tried out for water boy. Being naturally skinny, I never had a weight problem until the middle age spread set in and finally at age 52 I reached almost 225 and a body fat of 23% and the first pair of 38 pants leered at me from the rack in the department store. It doesn’t happen overnight, guys. It creeps up on you and one day you look in the mirror and you begin to see Tweedle Dum or Tweedle Dee looking back at you. And, believe me, it ain’t a pretty sight. (May the gods of grammar forgive me for the use of ain’t, but it is so appropriate right now.) For you young guys, take advantage of youth. The juices are flowing and all you have to do channel them into building the body you want. I wish I knew at 18 what I know now. For you older guys, there is always hope. I am one of the older guys on this forum and I speak from experience. Changing your life and your body is not only possible, but a given if you have the will and determination to make it happen.

I know the regulars on here are tired of this pic, but mister perfect dropped his digital cam a while back and this is the only recent one I have. Not 56 but me at 55 ½.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-...hn2-avatar.jpg

It’s not easy, but man, is it worth it. Just yesterday, a neighbor invited my wife and me over for a visit. Upon discovering that I had a birthday coming up she said, “The rest of us are getting older and you just keep getting younger.” Man, that felt so good.
Since making my decision to change my life I have completed three very challenging programs: Homegrown Muscle, Book of Muscle Intermediate, and Book of Muscle Advanced. I am now 175 at around 11% body fat and feeling like a kid again. I lift three days a week and do cardio (usually running) 3 days a week. On Sunday I was doing HIIT and decided to up the ante a bit and ran my last quarter mile at 9MPH. That’s less than a 7 minute mile. Not great, but a personal best nonetheless. And, those 38 pants, as well as all my 36’s have long ago been donated to the clothing bank. And now, even my 34’s are getting loose.

So if you really want to make a change, again I say, if I can do it, you can do it. But, my friends, the operative words are “do it.”

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Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words.

Keep your words positive because your words become your behaviors.

Keep your behaviors positive because your behaviors become your habits.

Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values.

Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny.

~Ghandi~

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In Fitness and Friendship,
Mahler

URWhatu8 · 01-10-2005, 07:49 AM

Let me be one of the first to say. Happy Bithday. You are one of the people I was talking about in my other post. By the way you are supposed to get gifts on your B-day and here you are giving them in the form of great advice...Thanks for the welcome...UR

Ogedei · 01-10-2005, 08:36 AM

OK well I'll be one of the first as well!

Congratulations on all you have achieved, and have a happy birthday, Does Johnka have a special birthday cake recipe for you? [img]smile.gif[/img]

Anyhow man, keep up the good work!

Og.

TennesseeGentleman · 01-10-2005, 08:40 AM

Happy Birthday Mahler. At 49,working out is my #1 hobby, and keeps my young and full of life in a competitive world. Keep up the great work, my man.

Johnka · 01-10-2005, 09:00 AM

Great motivator Mahler, and happy pre-birthday! My 33rd is coming up this month also (21st), so your words serve as a good reminder not to get too complacent or never to take fitness for granted.

No birthday cake recipes, sorry. I figure it comes around once a year, so enjoy the cake...just not all of the cake.

md11hydmec · 01-10-2005, 09:04 AM

Happy Birthday Mahler. At 37, I understand about the mid life spread. Its hard to make a life change, but its well worth it as I'm finding out now, only 6 months into it. You're looking good, and I hope that I look that good when I hit 56. Thanks for all of you advice. ....MD

stillphil · 01-10-2005, 09:09 AM

To: Sir Mahler

Happiest of Birthdays to you and many thanks for your motivation and for your weekly messages.

For myself, I agree that great things are possible for us mature (OK, old) guys as your stats and picture show. Even JP is testimony to that. hehe.

Anyway, many happy returns.

Phil

rem1956 · 01-10-2005, 09:27 AM

Mahler....I hope one day to meet and shake hands with the person who has given me so much; your help, your motivation, your words of inspiration and somedays, even a glimps of your very soul. Thanks, and have a really super, wonderful and grat birthday!

OldGuy · 01-10-2005, 09:47 AM

Happy Birthday, Mahler. Your post is once again very timely. I've been in a little slump lately and have been ignoring my workouts (I know, I know). But my fat ass will be back in the gym tonight, and it won't be a fat ass for long. Thanks.

lefty9 · 01-10-2005, 10:33 AM

John,

You have been a motivating factor for me for some time now. I am celebrating my 37th today! I can only hope to be in the shape you are in now when I reach your young age!

Happy Birthday!!

vandamme · 01-10-2005, 10:47 AM

Happy Birthday mighty iron manual lord of destruction!
excellent post thank you!

quaribc · 01-10-2005, 10:49 AM

Happy Birthday.

Man you put this 22 year-old to shame just for finishing the Advance routine.

it's a cliche but

"Live long and prosper" - Mr. Spock.

jwjsurf · 01-10-2005, 11:28 AM

Happy Birthday,

Very inspiring post!!!!

It is great to come across positive, motivating people like yourself. Thanks for the inspiration.

Q. · 01-10-2005, 11:33 AM

Let me add my name to the list of well-wishers and say HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Hope to see you again in Little Rock!

I'm just glad that it will be a LONG TIME before I'm 56!!!

FlyinM · 01-10-2005, 11:59 AM

Congrats on the 56th birthday, John.

You just keep setting the bar higher for the rest of us 'old guys' to follow!

Given what you have gone through family-wise lately, I hope it's a great day for you.

Michael

diamondpete · 01-11-2005, 12:22 AM

Happy Birthday!

Mine is coming up in Feb (the big 4-0) and the first of my fitness minigoals! The pressure is on- gotta work harder!

Cheers
And again happy birthday

Peter

n.neate · 01-11-2005, 03:57 PM

Congratulations and enjoy the best gift of all.

austintwo · 01-12-2005, 07:24 AM

Mahler - you've never met me and I've never met you, but I just want to thank you for everything you've done for all of us. Your transparency, insight and willingness to share what's working for you has affected me in ways you may never know.

Thanks,

Pete

FlyinM · 01-12-2005, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Your transparency, insight and willingness to share

You must be a lot thinner than you were in the picture.

[img]tongue.gif[/img]