Fitness Over 50

Top Fitness Strategies

Look Better, Feel Better, Gain Confidence

Fitness Over 50

Top Fitness Strategies

Look Better, Feel Better, Gain Confidence

I do a weekly email where I answer questions from readers, watchers and listeners who follow me via various platforms.  In this email, I answer questions I often receive from followers.

I know this isn’t your traditional FAQ page, but I’m far from traditional.  On this FAQ page, here are some of the past questions I have answered...

 

Q:  I'm wanting to start working out, but I remember it being hard back in the day.  Now that I'm older, I'm sure it will be harder.  Can you recommend some kind of workout that isn't too hard?

A: This is a strange question.  Not because of the question itself, but because of the "behind the scenes" meaning.  You see, in terms of working out, the word "hard" is relative.  If you weigh 500lbs and have never worked out, going up and down a flight of stairs may be hard.

If you're a power lifter, doing yoga may be hard.  See what I'm talking about?

So, when someone asks to recommend something that isn't hard, it's a tough call if I don't know what they've done or are doing.

The best I can do at this moment is ask the question, what's the alternative?   If the other choice you have is to NOT workout and take medication to "make you healthy", is that hard?  I'm not talking physically, but emotionally?  Financially?  Stress wise?

If you're not taking meds, is sitting on the couch hard?  I would hope not, but then when you actually do something, is that hard?  Playing with your kids/grandkids.....how hard would that be if you're always on the couch?

I'm sure you get my point.

So, you have to ask yourself, and only YOU can really answer it, is the "hard" of NOT working out harder than the "hard" of working out?   And don't just look at it short term, look at it long term. Which "hard" would you prefer?  Hmmm??

 ---------

Q: I’m in a weight loss contest in my office, and  I’m taking this opportunity to also get in better shape.  I’m not a fan  of weight training at all, I just want to do cardio and drop the  pounds.  What are your thoughts on this?

A: Here's the deal with ONLY doing cardio to lose weight. Oh, and just to clarify, by "cardio", I'm talking about treadmill, bicycle, elliptical, etc.

First of all, the answer is YES, you can most certainly lose weight by doing just cardio, so let's get that out of the way first.  The issue you'll run into is you're not shaping your body at all.

Think of it this way, if your body is in the shape of a pear, doing strictly cardio will turn your body into a skinny pear. If that's the look you're going for, then GREAT!

BUT, add some sort of resistance work, or weight training, and you'll see a MAJOR difference in your overall look.  Oh, and believe it or not, you'll still be losing weight too!

Keep in mind, TV shows like "The Biggest Loser" only focuses on weight loss.  They don't talk about weight training much, but you see during the workouts the contestants are constantly working with weights.  Think about that for a minute.

So, bottom line, PLEASE add in some sort of resistant training with your cardio workouts!  You'll thank me for that piece of advice in the long run!

 -----

Q:   I feel really sore after my workouts lately.  I know I’m working different muscle groups, so I’m assuming this has something to do with it.  Can you assure me that what I’m doing is OK?

A: One thing I talk about with all my clients is something called “Delayed Onset Muscle Sorness”, better known in the fitness world as DOMS.

The best way to describe this is a funny type of pain you feel, usually the day after working out certain muscle groups.

I say funny pain because, even though your muscles are sore, you laugh to yourself because of this 

soreness. For me, I usually feel this “soreness” the day after a leg workout. My thighs and calf muscles are stiff and I can really feel them when I move, especially when walking stairs.

Now, I will caution people, if this “soreness” creates a pain

that you don’t laugh at yourself about, it’s the kind of pain

you don’t’ want and you should get it checked out.

Believe me, once you feel the DOMS, you’ll know

EXACTLY what I’m talking about when I say “funny pain”. 

-----

Q: I plan on starting a health and fitness program next month.  What do you think I should do to prepare for it?  

A: In other words, you're telling yourself (subconsciously),

"I have a month to fluff off and do nothing.  I can eat whatever you want and be lazy until then."

Here's the way I (now) look at this kind of question.

Why wait a month to get started?  Holidays?  Family stuff?  Vacation?

Outside of a vacation, I'm not sure which one of those actually lasts a month, but we won't get into that right now.

Let's focus on the "next month" part of the question, OK.  If you're planning on starting something a month from now, and you've already planned on it, I would say just move your plan up a month is all.

Do you know how much your body can change in a month, just with a little bit of change to your diet?

A change to your workout?

A change to your daily routine?

All I'm saying, getting back to the original question, if you want to know what I think you should do to prepare for it, I would say don't wait a month, start doing something now!

Yes folks, it really is that simple. A little bit of change can equal a HUGE change in

your body in an entire month!

 -----

Q: All I want to do is lose weight, I'm not looking to bulk up and gain a lot of muscle.  Would you suggest doing a lot of cardio?

A: First of all, if you read/listen/watch anything I do,

you know I'm all about the 30 minute - 60 minute at the most, 4-5 times a week.  That being said, let me put one thing to rest right away....

You CANNOT build bulk working out this way, period!

Can you gain muscle?  Yes.

Can you lose weight?  Yes.

Will your muscles grow?  Yes.

So, doesn't that mean you'll bulk up?  NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

The people you see who are, "bulked up", are not the 1-hour-workout folks.  These are folks who focus hours on getting that bulky look.....on purpose!

And, just because you gain muscle doesn't mean you'll bulk up.  Matter of fact, gaining muscle helps to burn fat, which is something you WANT to do, right?

Did you know that doing a 30 minute resistance workout burns more calories (in the long run) than a 30 minute cardio workout?

Please understand, I think a good cardio workout is GREAT, but for fat burning, resistance workouts are better

 -----

Q: I see lot of "workout guys' on the internet.  They have the perfect body, then I see you.  Quite frankly, why should I listen to you?  I'm not too impressed with the way you look.

A: I will agree, if you judge me solely based on my body style and look against others,

I wouldn't be impressed with me either.

I don't claim to be a 3% body fat muscle head, just a plain ol' muscle head!  lol

I say if you want to "judge" me, then look at the whole package, not just looks.

What about the info I give?  What about the simplicity aspects of the content I provide?

My #1 goal when I put out a piece of content is to Keep It Simple!

As my good buddy Jeff Herring says, "I can make things harder, buy why?"

Simple is good.  Why? Because it's not complicated!

Complication makes people not want to do something.

So, that's the mindset I approach my content with, "how can I make it NOT complicated."

Now, if you only judge me based on looks, you wouldn't get the great info I put out.

That's not on me, that's on you.  Let me ask you this, do you trust a skinny cook?  If you have a bald hairdresser, do you still go to him (or her)?

I'm in the same boat you are.

I'm over 50 years old and my goal isn't to have that "James Bond coming out of the ocean

in swim trunks" body, my goal is to be happy and healthy.  Anything beyond that is just a bonus.

Review my stuff, follow my stuff and you'll get all kinds of bonuses!  Is that bragging?

Nope, it's just the way it is!

Bottom line, I'm not gonna impress you with my body type, I hope I provide more than that.

If you feel I'm not, then I'm not doing my job.

 -----

I answer questions like this each week!  Now let me ask YOU, Is there a question you have that wasn’t on the list?  If so, fill out your question below and we'll get you set up to receive our newsletter and you can watch for your answer in a future email!  

I do a weekly email where I answer questions from readers, watchers and listeners who follow me via various platforms.  In this email, I answer questions I often receive from followers.

I know this isn’t your traditional FAQ page, but I’m far from traditional.  On this FAQ page, here are some of the past questions I have answered...

 

Q:  I'm wanting to start working out, but I remember it being hard back in the day.  Now that I'm older, I'm sure it will be harder.  Can you recommend some kind of workout that isn't too hard?

A: This is a strange question.  Not because of the question itself, but because of the "behind the scenes" meaning.  You see, in terms of working out, the word "hard" is relative.  If you weigh 500lbs and have never worked out, going up and down a flight of stairs may be hard.

If you're a power lifter, doing yoga may be hard.  See what I'm talking about?

So, when someone asks to recommend something that isn't hard, it's a tough call if I don't know what they've done or are doing.

The best I can do at this moment is ask the question, what's the alternative?   If the other choice you have is to NOT workout and take medication to "make you healthy", is that hard?  I'm not talking physically, but emotionally?  Financially?  Stress wise?

If you're not taking meds, is sitting on the couch hard?  I would hope not, but then when you actually do something, is that hard?  Playing with your kids/grandkids.....how hard would that be if you're always on the couch?

I'm sure you get my point.

So, you have to ask yourself, and only YOU can really answer it, is the "hard" of NOT working out harder than the "hard" of working out?   And don't just look at it short term, look at it long term. Which "hard" would you prefer?  Hmmm??

 ---------

Q: I’m in a weight loss contest in my office, and  I’m taking this opportunity to also get in better shape.  I’m not a fan  of weight training at all, I just want to do cardio and drop the  pounds.  What are your thoughts on this?

A: Here's the deal with ONLY doing cardio to lose weight. Oh, and just to clarify, by "cardio", I'm talking about treadmill, bicycle, elliptical, etc.

First of all, the answer is YES, you can most certainly lose weight by doing just cardio, so let's get that out of the way first.  The issue you'll run into is you're not shaping your body at all.

Think of it this way, if your body is in the shape of a pear, doing strictly cardio will turn your body into a skinny pear. If that's the look you're going for, then GREAT!

BUT, add some sort of resistance work, or weight training, and you'll see a MAJOR difference in your overall look.  Oh, and believe it or not, you'll still be losing weight too!

Keep in mind, TV shows like "The Biggest Loser" only focuses on weight loss.  They don't talk about weight training much, but you see during the workouts the contestants are constantly working with weights.  Think about that for a minute.

So, bottom line, PLEASE add in some sort of resistant training with your cardio workouts!  You'll thank me for that piece of advice in the long run!

 -----

Q:   I feel really sore after my workouts lately.  I know I’m working different muscle groups, so I’m assuming this has something to do with it.  Can you assure me that what I’m doing is OK?

A: One thing I talk about with all my clients is something called “Delayed Onset Muscle Sorness”, better known in the fitness world as DOMS.

The best way to describe this is a funny type of pain you feel, usually the day after working out certain muscle groups.

I say funny pain because, even though your muscles are sore, you laugh to yourself because of this 

soreness. For me, I usually feel this “soreness” the day after a leg workout. My thighs and calf muscles are stiff and I can really feel them when I move, especially when walking stairs.

Now, I will caution people, if this “soreness” creates a pain

that you don’t laugh at yourself about, it’s the kind of pain

you don’t’ want and you should get it checked out.

Believe me, once you feel the DOMS, you’ll know

EXACTLY what I’m talking about when I say “funny pain”. 

-----

Q: I plan on starting a health and fitness program next month.  What do you think I should do to prepare for it?  

A: In other words, you're telling yourself (subconsciously),

"I have a month to fluff off and do nothing.  I can eat whatever you want and be lazy until then."

Here's the way I (now) look at this kind of question.

Why wait a month to get started?  Holidays?  Family stuff?  Vacation?

Outside of a vacation, I'm not sure which one of those actually lasts a month, but we won't get into that right now.

Let's focus on the "next month" part of the question, OK.  If you're planning on starting something a month from now, and you've already planned on it, I would say just move your plan up a month is all.

Do you know how much your body can change in a month, just with a little bit of change to your diet?

A change to your workout?

A change to your daily routine?

All I'm saying, getting back to the original question, if you want to know what I think you should do to prepare for it, I would say don't wait a month, start doing something now!

Yes folks, it really is that simple. A little bit of change can equal a HUGE change in

your body in an entire month!

 -----

Q: All I want to do is lose weight, I'm not looking to bulk up and gain a lot of muscle.  Would you suggest doing a lot of cardio?

A: First of all, if you read/listen/watch anything I do,

you know I'm all about the 30 minute - 60 minute at the most, 4-5 times a week.  That being said, let me put one thing to rest right away....

You CANNOT build bulk working out this way, period!

Can you gain muscle?  Yes.

Can you lose weight?  Yes.

Will your muscles grow?  Yes.

So, doesn't that mean you'll bulk up?  NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

The people you see who are, "bulked up", are not the 1-hour-workout folks.  These are folks who focus hours on getting that bulky look.....on purpose!

And, just because you gain muscle doesn't mean you'll bulk up.  Matter of fact, gaining muscle helps to burn fat, which is something you WANT to do, right?

Did you know that doing a 30 minute resistance workout burns more calories (in the long run) than a 30 minute cardio workout?

Please understand, I think a good cardio workout is GREAT, but for fat burning, resistance workouts are better

 -----

Q: I see lot of "workout guys' on the internet.  They have the perfect body, then I see you.  Quite frankly, why should I listen to you?  I'm not too impressed with the way you look.

A: I will agree, if you judge me solely based on my body style and look against others,

I wouldn't be impressed with me either.

I don't claim to be a 3% body fat muscle head, just a plain ol' muscle head!  lol

I say if you want to "judge" me, then look at the whole package, not just looks.

What about the info I give?  What about the simplicity aspects of the content I provide?

My #1 goal when I put out a piece of content is to Keep It Simple!

As my good buddy Jeff Herring says, "I can make things harder, buy why?"

Simple is good.  Why? Because it's not complicated!

Complication makes people not want to do something.

So, that's the mindset I approach my content with, "how can I make it NOT complicated."

Now, if you only judge me based on looks, you wouldn't get the great info I put out.

That's not on me, that's on you.  Let me ask you this, do you trust a skinny cook?  If you have a bald hairdresser, do you still go to him (or her)?

I'm in the same boat you are.

I'm over 50 years old and my goal isn't to have that "James Bond coming out of the ocean

in swim trunks" body, my goal is to be happy and healthy.  Anything beyond that is just a bonus.

Review my stuff, follow my stuff and you'll get all kinds of bonuses!  Is that bragging?

Nope, it's just the way it is!

Bottom line, I'm not gonna impress you with my body type, I hope I provide more than that.

If you feel I'm not, then I'm not doing my job.

 -----

I answer questions like this each week!  Now let me ask YOU, Is there a question you have that wasn’t on the list?  If so, fill out your question below and we'll get you set up to receive our newsletter and you can watch for your answer in a future email!  

FAQ

FAQ

Powered by ConvertriPowered by Convertri