Re: Steve's "I'm not aging quietly" log
 

I feel the need to add one last comment to everything everyone has already said on the topic of us older folks working out: If you ever need inspiration, go look at other people your age and your gender who are doing your profession. Really look at them and assess mentally their body fat, fitness, strength, and attractiveness. Believe me, you will feel much better and be very motivated.

One year, I went to a California State Bar convention. (I am an attorney.) I was flabbergasted at the appearance of the thousands of attorneys who attended. I do not exaggerate when I say by appearance it might have been a convention of the disabled.

A huge number of the attendees were obese, not just overweight. Many of them required walkers or even wheelchairs. And I am not just talking about the elderly. Many lawyers in their sixties, fifties and even forties appeared to be having terrible problems. And even the skinny ones looked horrible, with thin little arms and stooped walks. And I am not even going to mention that they all looked like angry people who drank like fish. (Being a lawyer must be stressful.)

I remember trying to count all the attractive and healthy men and women I saw older than thirty walking around. I didn't get to five, and I counted myself. And this is a very wealthy population of people on average with all the access to medical care and exercise equipment possible.

So the next time you get frustrated over your struggles with overhead squats, remember the vast majority of people out there your age couldn't do an overhead squat just holding the bar, Stephen. Many of them couldn't OHS a PVC pipe. And in ten or twenty years, the gap between your overall fitness and that of other people your age will be even wider.

Keep hope alive.

Re: Steve's "I'm not aging quietly" log
 

Amen and good point Ben! I'm sure it's safe to assume that is your photo Steve and you're doing something right. Nothing weird going on here on this end, just making an observation. Re: the machine shoulder presses, I'm not a big fan of the machine since CF, and I agree with everything you said, I just did them do limit any possible stooping with my back and my workout was at home and I don't have any free weights. I failed to mention a cudo to you for the double-unders. I know you said you were up to 2. That's 50% more than I can do and getting one consistently is not happening as of yet. I watched the one training video and it would seem that after you get really good at it, as the guy was obviously a professional jump roper, it doesn't require any more jumping than a single - it's all about moving the rope really fast with alot of perfect timing/rhythm/coordination. I don't have much of any of this and find them frustrating to practice. So cudos to you for 2 in a row. I was thinking about your 2 in a row when I last practiced them and thought if I could get 2 in a row done like you I might feel like I was getting somewhere. Practice, practice, practice. :)
God bless,
Tony

Re: Steve's "I'm not aging quietly" log
 

Alright, it's official: Pity Party is over.

Time to get to work. :weight_l:

Get'r done Steve & keep us all posted man.

Re: Steve's "I'm not aging quietly" log
 

[quote=Benjamin R. Greene;810190]I feel the need to add one last comment to everything everyone has already said on the topic of us older folks working out: If you ever need inspiration, go look at other people your age and your gender who are doing your profession. Really look at them and assess mentally their body fat, fitness, strength, and attractiveness. Believe me, you will feel much better and be very motivated.

One year, I went to a California State Bar convention. (I am an attorney.) I was flabbergasted at the appearance of the thousands of attorneys who attended. I do not exaggerate when I say by appearance it might have been a convention of the disabled.

A huge number of the attendees were obese, not just overweight. Many of them required walkers or even wheelchairs. And I am not just talking about the elderly. Many lawyers in their sixties, fifties and even forties appeared to be having terrible problems. And even the skinny ones looked horrible, with thin little arms and stooped walks. And I am not even going to mention that they all looked like angry people who drank like fish. (Being a lawyer must be stressful.)

I remember trying to count all the attractive and healthy men and women I saw older than thirty walking around. I didn't get to five, and I counted myself. And this is a very wealthy population of people on average with all the access to medical care and exercise equipment possible.

So the next time you get frustrated over your struggles with overhead squats, remember the vast majority of people out there your age couldn't do an overhead squat just holding the bar, Stephen. Many of them couldn't OHS a PVC pipe. And in ten or twenty years, the gap between your overall fitness and that of other people your age will be even wider.

Keep hope alive.[/quote]
[B]Ben,

[/B]You are so correct. I have a number of friends and acquaintances who are attorneys. I can think of few other professions (other than my past one - - coffee and donuts, you know...) where by and large, so many people lead unhealthy lifestyles and are morbidly obese. I reason that stress plays a major roles in this.

And I have my focus and direction back! No problem with the hope, Ben. It's alive and kickin'!

[quote=Anthony Mattox;810365]Amen and good point Ben! I'm sure it's safe to assume that is your photo Steve and you're doing something right. Nothing weird going on here on this end, just making an observation. Re: the machine shoulder presses, I'm not a big fan of the machine since CF, and I agree with everything you said, I just did them do limit any possible stooping with my back and my workout was at home and I don't have any free weights. I failed to mention a cudo to you for the double-unders. I know you said you were up to 2. That's 50% more than I can do and getting one consistently is not happening as of yet. I watched the one training video and it would seem that after you get really good at it, as the guy was obviously a professional jump roper, it doesn't require any more jumping than a single - it's all about moving the rope really fast with alot of perfect timing/rhythm/coordination. I don't have much of any of this and find them frustrating to practice. So cudos to you for 2 in a row. I was thinking about your 2 in a row when I last practiced them and thought if I could get 2 in a row done like you I might feel like I was getting somewhere. Practice, practice, practice. :)
God bless,
Tony[/quote]
[B]Tony,

[/B]Thanks - - that is my photo, but it's about a year old. Hopefully I look even a bit better now.....for an old duffer. BTW, it's great you are being careful with your back -- I apologize if I sounded a bit condescending. I used to be a big fan of the Smith Machine until I started trying sets of heavier weights and lower reps.....did a bunch of reading and listening to others (especially after starting CF) do some "Smith Machine bashing", as well as other "press" machines. They definitely have their place, but I think the reasoning behind their use / non-anatomical movement is for coaches with a lot more body mechanics expertise than I possess. If you can, IMHO, much lighter free weights which will allow you to keep perfect form, will cause you to rely on your core strength and allow you to protect your back. But in all fairness, you know much better with what you are dealing and I don't want to mis-guide you in any way.

As for the double-unders, they are a maddening sort, aren't they? I got 12 in a row once......I've never gotten close since. I think the ropes have minds all their own....they play games with you and try to keep you from "winning." :evilsmile Thanks for the kudos. I will just keep chipping away at them and eventually, I'll get the timing and coordination down, simple as that. Blessings!

[quote=Matt Bahen;810506]Alright, it's official: Pity Party is over.

Time to get to work. :weight_l:

Get'r done Steve & keep us all posted man.[/quote]
[B]Matt,

[/B]Right you are......Already am back at it. First WOD, post hamstring tear, was yesterday - - highly scaled, but nonetheless, nice to do.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
By the way, with all the encouragement I've received from everyone including the good swift kicks in the butt, I can't fail - - not because I'm afraid I won't succeed or because something gets in the way to impede me. I can't fail because I've already won! Maybe it took others to show me when I couldn't see past the end of my "out of joint" nose, but each day is has been an accomplishment, regardless. The setbacks, because they have made me fight to be better. And the successes, have and will continue to reinforce my progress and let me know, "I'm on the right track."

I truly am honored to be here among all of you! And pardon the corny-ness, but [I][B]I [U]am[/U] a CrossFitter!

[/B][/I]Nuff said......Back to work!

Re: Steve's "I'm not aging quietly" log
 

[quote=Stephen R. Lampl;810711]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
By the way, with all the encouragement I've received from everyone including the good swift kicks in the butt, I can't fail - - not because I'm afraid I won't succeed or because something gets in the way to impede me. I can't fail because I've already won! Maybe it took others to show me when I couldn't see past the end of my "out of joint" nose, but each day is has been an accomplishment, regardless. The setbacks, because they have made me fight to be better. And the successes, have and will continue to reinforce my progress and let me know, "I'm on the right track."

I truly am honored to be here among all of you! And pardon the corny-ness, but [I][B]I [U]am[/U] a CrossFitter!

[/B][/I]Nuff said......Back to work![/quote]

Steve:
I am so sorry that I didn't post on this earlier.. I had been away and was following as regularly as possible on my blackberry, but I wanted to chime in as well to let you know that I have read this entire thread since your injury and I am so impressed with the support of this community!! I can "feel the love" out here for you, Steve. As a woman who just hit 50 and in the best shape of my life (thank you, Crossfit), I will say this is an amazing community and crossfit is an outstanding sport. I too get down on myself when I can't get a 500M row under 2min and my runs are as slow as molasses, but at least I am out there "playing the game". Also, with this shoulder that just doesn't want anything heavy on it--forget OHS for me!! I just stay with the bar.. it isn't worth it anymore. Our bodies are NOT the same as they were when we were 30, but you know what?... they are better than 90% of the people our age. Hamstring tears are painful and they take a long time to repair on even a "young'un", so give it the time, but keep moving your body in whatever way you can. forget the DU right now and do something else. I'm not going to sit here and tell you what to do and what not to do--that is for you and your coach to figure out, but I am here to tell you how much I admire you for being here to support all of us and for being "resilient" to the "demons' of our aging bodies. You CAN "do this" and for whatever it is worth..
You ARE doing it, but you just didn't reallize it!! :highfive:
Rock on, Steve.. WE ALL have your back... just like you would have ours...
--Marianne

Re: Steve's "I'm not aging quietly" log
 

[quote=Marianne Urbanski;810761]Steve:
I am so sorry that I didn't post on this earlier.. I had been away and was following as regularly as possible on my blackberry, but I wanted to chime in as well to let you know that I have read this entire thread since your injury and I am so impressed with the support of this community!! I can "feel the love" out here for you, Steve. As a woman who just hit 50 and in the best shape of my life (thank you, Crossfit), I will say this is an amazing community and crossfit is an outstanding sport. I too get down on myself when I can't get a 500M row under 2min and my runs are as slow as molasses, but at least I am out there "playing the game". Also, with this shoulder that just doesn't want anything heavy on it--forget OHS for me!! I just stay with the bar.. it isn't worth it anymore. Our bodies are NOT the same as they were when we were 30, but you know what?... they are better than 90% of the people our age. Hamstring tears are painful and they take a long time to repair on even a "young'un", so give it the time, but keep moving your body in whatever way you can. forget the DU right now and do something else. I'm not going to sit here and tell you what to do and what not to do--that is for you and your coach to figure out, but I am here to tell you how much I admire you for being here to support all of us and for being "resilient" to the "demons' of our aging bodies. You CAN "do this" and for whatever it is worth..
You ARE doing it, but you just didn't reallize it!! :highfive:
Rock on, Steve.. WE ALL have your back... just like you would have ours...
--Marianne[/quote]
Marianne,

I feel quite ashamed about the "pity party" I had here, but you know; you are so correct when you talk about the "Community Love" present here on this forum. To say that I was not completely overwhelmed with support and encouragement (and good, swift, kicks in the caboose) would be less than true.

I have been a late learner / late bloomer all my life and some of life's lessons come a bit harder for 59 year-old kids. I tend to go at stuff 100%; work, play, exercise.....I have always been that way. Problem is, the common sense I have and used (fairly successfully) in daily interactions and problem solving with others, I don't use on myself. I guess I've also been blessed, even at my age, with a body that heals very quickly and causes me little pain when I injure myself. That aside, I need to learn to push myself, but at a pace which allows me to progress, grow, and if I'm fortunate enough, PR where my body will safely survive the "assaults" I make upon it.

Anyway, without rambling on too much more (and using up space on CF's server...) I have renewed spirit, determination, enthusiasm, and focus. I consider it an honor to have friends such as you and the acquaintances on this forum and know we all have the common goals of being strong, healthy, and fit, and if it suits our lifestyle and bodies, a bit competitive with our selves and other CF members. Blessings, Marianne!

Steve

Re: Steve's "I'm not aging quietly" log
 

Steve and Marianne, the "pity party had a lot of good points for all of us to just sit back and go hmmm. It actually gave me a push just reading them. No, I didn't think your comments about the Smith Machine were bad in any way. I prefer the free weights 100%. I try to take good advice as well. Wish I had a bigger gym. You would bust a stitch if you saw it, but it's all we have in this community of 2,500 without driving to the St. Louis area. 2 or 3 people in there at a time and there's no way you can get a CF workout in. I suppose a large gym could also be a problem with too many as well. I'm not complaining - Praise God that I have that.
Talk soon, Tony

Re: Steve's "I'm not aging quietly" log
 

[quote=Anthony Mattox;812475]Steve and Marianne, the "pity party had a lot of good points for all of us to just sit back and go hmmm. It actually gave me a push just reading them. No, I didn't think your comments about the Smith Machine were bad in any way. I prefer the free weights 100%. I try to take good advice as well. Wish I had a bigger gym. You would bust a stitch if you saw it, but it's all we have in this community of 2,500 without driving to the St. Louis area. 2 or 3 people in there at a time and there's no way you can get a CF workout in. I suppose a large gym could also be a problem with too many as well. I'm not complaining - Praise God that I have that.
Talk soon, Tony[/quote]
Tony,

Always good to hear from you! You make a very valid point - - lots to be thankful for, despite the situation - - space, number of people, attitudes....

I'm thankful for my own "attitude adjustment"....these things come with a price, humility being one, but I'm ready and willing to do what's necessary.

Blessings! Steve

Re: Steve's "I'm not aging quietly" log
 

Hey Steve, I hope you got a chance to see some of the Games video feed this weekend. Saying it was inspirational would be quite an understatement, and I encourage you (all of you) to pick an archived hour and watch it.

Hope you had a great weekend, Steve. More OT for me!

Re: Steve's "I'm not aging quietly" log
 

[quote=Dave Coughlin;812934]Hey Steve, I hope you got a chance to see some of the Games video feed this weekend. Saying it was inspirational would be quite an understatement, and I encourage you (all of you) to pick an archived hour and watch it.

Hope you had a great weekend, Steve. More OT for me![/quote]
Dave,

Worked pretty much the whole weekend. Pretty busy at most SBUX.....100+ degree heat out here. But I did follow the posts for heats/finals in the categories on the Games Site. Inspirational is right!

Our box had a BBQ Sat night and they watch some of the video while I was slinging brew.....

Hope the OT goes (or went) well without too many "you know what" calls.

Blessings!

Steve