Category: Strength Training

Am I Where I thought I’d Be?

60 Years and Having Fun!

Likely not if you asked me that question when I was 20! But even 4 years later I wasn’t where I thought I would be. If you asked me the question at 55, I would have to say, not a chance! I am comfortable when it comes to my chosen field of work, but little else from early on in 2017 is anywhere close to what I thought then! Since 2010, however, the goal of being fit, healthy and strong was always there lurking somewhere, hoping to find a way. But realistically it couldn’t have been counted on to be a very likely possibility at that time.

At the time, I was dealing with a lot of health issues, many of which I didn’t even know were issues. I was drinking a lot, smoking a lot of pot and at the timed believed that was a big part of the problem. Despite what some might argue, they were how I had chosen to treat the problems I faced. Despite thinking I was addicted to both, that wasn’t the case. I simply quit both once I solved the root cause of my health problems; food and other environmental factors, I just quit, but that isn’t what this post is about!

Anxiety, panic attacks, focus and attention issues, going through life unable to remember things like what I was doing, or what I needed to do. I was overweight and struggling to get out and walk and care for my dogs. I had tried and failed to get into the gym. Anxiety had taken over. I was an emotional wreck.

But today, I’m doing a lot of things I never thought I would be doing. Many times stronger than I was. Inflammation and arthritis, although still present, are greatly reduced. Hiking up mountains and lifting weights well beyond anything I could have imagined in 2017 or 2018.

Hiking the Lakes and Mountains of British Columbia

Saturday I am hoping to ascend the the summit of Alouette Mountain from the Southwest side. 26 km on the ground, 1100+ meters of ascent and descent, probably 10 hours of hiking over rocks, roots, trees and many obstacles and challenges. Like many things I have done recently, this is just another goal and one that is within my reach.

Alouette Mountain Summit in the Background

Goals are not fixed in time, nor are the associated challenges a fixed target. So the title of this post is a tad misleading since there is no fixed target for what I think I can do. I have achieved far more than I could have imagined. And It is not about where I thought I’d be but rather what I think I can do.

I had a recent goal to lift 405 lbs, more than double my weight before I turned 60. This was never a goal when I was young and I have never been capable of doing so. But in 2019 after reaching 315 lbs, I began to see myself lifting 350 lbs and maybe 400+.

405 lbs Lifted: Strong core and everything from your fingers to your toes involved.

Butt hen COVID showed up, gyms closed more than once. Closing in December right before I was about to turn 60 tested the fluid nature of my goal and lifting 405 lbs became the challenge for my 60th year. Goal reached, on to the next one!

The long way up Alouette Mountain is next. Then maybe the steep path up from the East side. Carrying 30+ lbs up the mountainous terrain is quite the test of strength and endurance and particularly my knees and hip joints. My back and core are strong, but inflammation is still a constant fight. But I am rather surprised at how well I descend the mountain. Strong legs and core are critical, joint stability is necessary.

Green are the path’s I have traveled. Blue is the goal. Red is the Beauty Lake Loop I planned to start with.

My strength going up is a result of constant work lifting heavy weight in long sessions at the gym. Constantly working on both strength and endurance and applying it on the trails up the beautiful, but challenging terrain of Golden Ears Park. Despite being 60 and having been through some tough years where my shoulders, hips, knees, feet and even my hands were constantly swollen and in pain from sore tendons and ligaments, broken joints like my shoulders and hips and arthritis taking hold.

But now the challenge is the mountain. The challenge is how heavy I can lift. My shoulders work as well as they can, as do my hips and knees. My feet and hands are about as good as they can be and my sine and core are strong and resilient. This I could not have imagined at any time over the last 20 years!

The challenge is to maintain form and work the right way. I am still getting stronger in everything I do, whether it is packing a heavy backpack up and down the mountainside or lifting dumbbells and barbells. When my Doctor blamed aging for many of my ailments, he was dead wrong. I am older and much stronger; much more resilient than ever despite being older!

On to the next challenge!

Golden Ears Trail – Soon!

Rowing: Keeping My Back, Shoulders and Hips Working For Me!

Like for everything else I do, it seems that my obsessive need to learn is showing itself when it comes to the work I do in the gym. Spent my evening tonight learning more about rowing in particular. Dumbbell and barbell rows, cable rows too.

I started with Tony Gentilcore’s post: “5 Dumbbell Row Mistakes and What to do Instead.” And that led to “The Best Way to Row, Period!”

But of course this also means other back and core exercises are required for creating a strong core and back that is necessary for the heavy lifting I like to do (“Is the Juice Worth the Squeeze?” and  “Exercises to Save Yourself From Low Back Pain“). And both my shoulders and hips are critical and I work on them regularly. Flexibility and strength  in my hip hinge (“Master the Kettlebell Swing“) is particularly important for the lower back exercises, like dead lifts and squats.

So far my hips feel great and are strong and have good flexibility. And my lower back is strong. I plan to keep them this way and paying attention to technique and my form is important toward that goal.

As I continue to add weight and push myself harder; it is critical that I utilize proper form as injury can be just one sudden mistake away. I always practice my form as I warm up so I know I am ready when I add the real weight I want to push or pull.

One thing I like about strength training though is the total focus on the task at hand. Another is the detail and precision required. Both are traits I excel at.

I am not doing exercises simply to look good while doing them or to be throwing the heaviest weight around; but to make the most of the work I do and become stronger. So far so good, but my work is far from done!