This is an awesome and inspiring article from the CrossFit Golf Coast News Letter written by my good friend Frank Dimeo. Frank at 56 is an ageless warrior and in great shape.
A New Look at "Senior Fitness"
I almost have to chuckle as I am writing this article on "Senior" Fitness. I know what I thought a Senior Citizen was many years before society told me I was one (though I still refuse to think or act like that stereotype).
After all, when I was young and just full of self-proclaimed wisdom that everyone else needed to hear, I just knew that old age was not something that interested me in achieving.
Now fast forward to March 24, 2007, and now I'm 56 and my buddy, Doug, is older than me, yikes! So where does this time-warp find us? Right in the middle of a bunch of guys half our age , or less, attending a Strongman Training Seminar. Are we nuts? What are we doing here? Aren't we supposed to be in a state of decay by this age?
It's hot outside, we're exhausted and thirsty. but, are we going to quit? No way! We started this, and we'll finish it.
So what makes a couple of hard-headed 55+ year old guys do this crazy stuff? That's simple, because we can! Neither of us has bought into the lies about getting older.
Is this a mid-life crisis? Does that mean we need younger women, new Harley-Davidsons, and go climb mountains? Nope, been there, done that already.
What it does mean is Doug and myself, and probably a lot of other guys (and gals) are not done with life yet. We refuse to limit ourselves by allowing our culture to marginalize us.
At this point in life, we should be able to pull a 500lb tire down the parking lot (and we both did) We should be at our best, not our worst! You see, there is a lot to be said about a person's attitude or mindset as it relates to his or her physical body. Sometimes, you just have to go after something really out of your comfort zone to keep your mind sharp, your body strong, and life interesting.
The other day, I lifted a 40kg (88lb) weight over my head with one arm. It had been a goal of mine for a while. Now, it's been accomplished. But what if I had said to myself that a senior citizen can't do that kind of thing, or that they should act their age? I would never have experienced that.
Yes, there are a lot of stronger guys out there than myself ( I even know of some gals that can lift that kind of weight, and more). The point is I am striving for excellence, not perfection.
Everyone can do that, no matter what their age or gender is. Isn't it time to try something out of your normal routine for a challenge? Think about it, the possibilities are endless. Now get after it!
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