LATE MIDDLE AGE - THE "BIG 61"

So that's the barrier well and truly crossed! When you are 61 you are actually "in your 60s"... "later middle age" as someone recently said. I feel good! And I think for 61 I look pretty good! The question now is how to look and feel even better.

I get hurt by my pretty extreme work schedule. Not long before these photos were taken I was in Pakistan helping to plan a flood recovery programme and I had severe food poisoning and a bad case of sciatica from too much time spent in helicopters and bumping over country roads. Such episodes don't help; my friend and colleague Eddie Vernon, who is an amazing cyclist, has to spend months in Afghanistan cooped up in a secure compound and he still competes successfully. So there's no real reason for folk with slightly less dramatic or stressful lives to feel that once they are "late middle aged" that it's all downhill from there on. It most certainly is not.

Is there a secret? Not really. I watch my diet as best I can running from one developing country to another and I religiously get into the fitness centre wherever I am every week and hit the weights HARD. Stretching is important too to remain flexible.

I make sure that once every three months I visit my doctor and have a blood profile taken - cholesterol, blood sugar etc. The latest one came back A1...when it goes off track I make sure that I hit whatever it is that's hurting me. With a pre-disposition to high blood pressure (genetic, not life style) and so a risk of Syndrome X, I don't eat anything sweet and I don't take extra salt. I've cut down coffee to two a day and drink very limited alcohol (a glass of red wine never hurts!). Also drink lots of water; dehydration is a prime factor in arthritis and in generally feeling "low" - it also raise your BP.

I practice self-hypnosis too. Sounds weird, but it isn't. Lie on your back, go to a mental place that's very peaceful (mine's a beach on the Pembroke coast in Wales), count down from 10 and then tell yourself whatever it is you need to program. I start by telling myself "I am healthy" - make sure you affirm whatever it is in the present - and "I am positive" - I have a tendency towards being negative or cynical, so this seems to counteract it. If I have a chronic ache or pain I tell myself "I can't feel it". Once you've made your affirmations, count slowly back from 10 and you're done..

This works. Try it.

It's all fairly common-sense, food discipline and HARD exercise work in the gym. Nothing else except having the mind focused on maintaining the body in the best possible shape.

Mind-Body ...... that's what this entire blog is about. Neglect one or the other and your health will suffer whatever age you are; keep the mind and body working together and you'll stay fit and healthy forever.

Are the Fittest Among Us Born That Way?

Someone just asked this on the LinkedIn.com networking site under 'Health'

"The fitness industry is a trillion dollar industry, selling everything from dietary supplements to products that promise to provide "abs of steel." However, after reading on the passing of Joe Rollino (see the news item below), who was quoted as saying that he was "born strong," I wonder how many of the people who are 'FIT' are actually "born" that way?

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/12/nyregion/12ironman.html?em

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,582814,00.html?test=latestnews"

Here's my answer as posted on LI:

"It's obviously genetics to a certain point (like any animal, yep, sorry folks, at the biological level that's just what we are). But there's also training, and it depends too on what you mean by 'fit'? My current sport is resistance/strength training, but I was never going to be Arnold; that said within the limits of my genetics (a fairly hard gainer and an ectomorph) I think I've done a reasonable job at keeping muscle mass and stamina as I age. And then there's mentally and spiritually fit: some of that is hard-wired (genetics) but by no means all."

QUESTIONS ABOUT FITNESS AND HEALTH

I asked the following question on LinkedIn: “Are the Over-50s really interested in fitness and health?” The question went on: “I wonder if the Baby Boom generation….. is really into health and fitness? I spend a LOT of time in gyms and I hardly see anyone my age....” You can see the full Question and Answer via my profile on LinkedIn at http://hk.linkedin.com/in/quartermainebastin

Some folks thought this was an attack on them and the reactions were pretty irritated and defensive. Chris Prior Jones mistook me for a young guy having a go at the oldies and wrote,”We're really into fitness, you know! The reasons you don't see us are:

1 - The flaunting in the gym by you non-boomers of your sleek well toned physiques makes us extremely self conscious of our ancient sagging flesh

2 - We prefer to work out in the REAL world! Yes, open to the elements, braving the cold, rain, heat, dust, mud, difficult terrain etc. None of the airconditioned, muzak enhanced, information overloaded, expensive gym memberships for us!”

I clarified what I was after like this: “I'm getting the sense that older (plus-50) people want a completely different approach from the 'multi-machine, disco pumping' glossy fitness centers full of yuppies who socialize as much as they work out. Is this fair comment?”

It seems that it was, and it seems that the overwhelming majority of folks that answered were aggressively into fitness and health, but not necessarily the way I perhaps expected them to be.

Judy Margolis wrote, “I'd say that what separates Boomers from earlier generations is their endless quest to stave off old age, and that means they are extremely interested in health and fitness.”

Grant Epstein’s comment was rather typical of people who can’t answer an honest question politely, but he still made an interesting point, “I think your comment is based on at best limited perspective and at worst, absolute ignorance. The last time I belonged to a traditional gym, I would say a good 25-30% of the people I saw when working out early in the AM were over 50…..If you belong to a "traditional" gym, perhaps the gym does not cater to the over 50 market. Does it have a nice track to walk on? How about a swimming pool (great exercise, less impact on joints). Are their classes geared toward the over 50 market? Maybe your workout leans more towards that of a younger person.”

It’s a fair point about the kind of thing that’s on offer and echoes Chris’ concern about comparisons with tight young bodies.

Joel William, who says she is a physical therapist, wrote: “…although not all "Baby Boomers" are interested in health and fitness there is a significant amount that are and want to continue to be involved in exercise. These active boomers are not just playing golf either. They are avid cyclists, runners, swimmers and hikers. I refer to them as geezer jocks. I often see them after injury and their goal is not to settle down, but to get this fixed and return to their high level of sporting activity.”

The comment I liked best was from Andrea Williams who said: “…the importance of health and fitness is an innate quality, something you are born with. One of my personal goals before I turned 50 was to complete 30 marathons which I did. Now that I have turned 50, I was debating whether to continue to run marathons. However, my innate desire to keep in shape (both physically and mentally) got the better of me, and I just completed my 31st marathon at age 50. There are lots of older adults 50+ who enjoy running, and keep fit even and I am always amazed and humbled to see people in their 70s and older at local running events. I just hope that I can follow their wonderful example someday.”..

This seems to summarize exactly what this blog is about.

Other people like Charlene Norman work out at home: “I belong to the 50 set and still refuse to admit publicly my true age. I did the gym thing for a few years and found it exhausting with work etc. (okay handy excuse I agree) Like many of my similarly aging friends, I have equipment at home (pilates machine) which I prefer to use on my terms and at my convenience rather than rushing to the gym. Several friends of mine are in 50/60/70s and they have opted for either a home gym or using the gym in their condos. They prefer the privacy and the convenience and their own silence or music.”

Pretty clearly the over-50s that answered were quick to tell me that they were very conscious of fitness and health and a good few thought I was absolutely wrong to even suggest otherwise. That’s a great result (based admittedly on a very small sample – only 16 answers).

What’s my conclusion? The answer seems to be multi-faceted; partly to do with the way conventional fitness centers are run and partly to do with a lot of attitudes learned when we were younger before the 'fitness boom'; time and family commitments also play their parts. I’m enthusiastic about health and I’m sorry if my enthusiasm gets me carried away, and I certainly don’t mean to “hector” as Dr Susan Schwartz said (we became friends later!) but I do think that we over-50's needn't give in to ageing...that’s the reason for this blog!

THE ICEMAN COMETH

Eddie Vernon writes from Thailand: On 17 November I competed in the last of a series of five national races for 2007. I came 4th in the race (40 - 49 year olds) and 5th in the series (though I only competed in 2 out of 5 races). The photo of me leaving the start line (I'm the guy in the centre in red, black and white).

One of my motivators is Ned Overend, who is a legendary mountain biker. At 52 years of age, he just landed a sixth place finish in the Iceman Cometh race (with over 2,000 competitors) in which he was racing against top professionals half his age. The Iceman Cometh is a 43.5km (27mile) point-to-point classic in northern lower Michigan.

Ned hit the top at the age of 32 when he won two world mountain bike championships in August 1987; one in France and the other in Mammoth, CA. He won the world cross-country in 1988, and NORBA national champion titles in 1986 and 1989. Ned is known for his uphill climbing ability, both as a mountain biker and a road biker --- which he does to get in shape for mountain biking. He has frequently dominated the Iron Horse Classic in Durango. Although he retired in 1996 at the age of 41, he immediately joined the fledgling XTERRA off-road triathlon circuit and took a couple of their World Championships. I have Ned Overend's book "Mountain Bike Like a Champion" which shares his riding tips and techniques: http://www.amazon.com/Mountain-Bike-Like-Champion-Overend/dp/1579540813 (Check out Eddie Vernon by clicking on the topic in the right column)

YASUHIRO KONISHI – TEACHING KARATE IN HIS 90s

Why is Konishi Sensei (who, after all, died in 1983 aged 90) saluted here? I took this photo in 1982 in Sensei’s dojo in Tokyo. He was still teaching class – kendo and karate – clad in his favorite Hawaiian shirt. I can personally testify that it was impossible to touch him in sparring and he could still throw a big man (I am 6 foot 4) to the ground with scarcely a muscle moved. Konishi trained at his chosen art – both body and mind – his entire life and reaped the rewards.

Yasuhiro Konishi, who was born in 1893 in Takamatsu, Kagawa, Japan, began his martial arts training at age 6 in Muso Ryu Jujitsu. At age 13, while practicing jujitsu, Konishi Sensei began studying kendo as well. In September, 1924, Hironishi Ohtsuka, the founder of the Wado-Ryu style of karate, and Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of mainstream Shotokan karate arrived at Konishi's door. With his help Funakoshi established a karatee club at Keio University (the first university karate club in Japan). Thereafter karate expanded to the world-wide activity it is today with Konishi Sensei playing a central role in its development, eventually founding a unique style embodying the best of karate, jujitsu and aikido – Shindo Jinen Ryu. For more on this unique style of karate and details of Yasuhiro Konishi’s life check the link on the right of this page.

THE TOUGHEST GUY

This is James Bastin. He's not over 50 (for sure!) but he's going into this blog anyway.

James was hit in the head by a taxi when he was 20 in 2005. He was in a coma and then severe post traumatic amnesia for about nine months. He suffered several brain operations including removal and replacement of his skull. When this photo was taken he still could not talk or see properly. In 2007 James passed his 800 metres swimming test; he runs and works out. This young man literally came back from the dead. He is the toughest (mentally and physically) person I know. If you feel you can't do it, think about James and never give up!

EDDIE VERNON - CYCLING IN ASIA

Eddie Vernon - by way of introduction Eddie is one of my closest friends and one of the fittest guys around irrespective of age. He runs his own businesses in Thailand and Laos and combines them with a competitive cycling career. Here's his profile:

I'm British, born in England in 1958 but have been living in Thailand since 1990. I've been cycling since I was a small kid. There were just a few years around my mid- to late-20s where I didn't cycle much. I used to cycle just for fun and to get around (e.g. commuting to university and to work). It was a year or two after I turned 40 that I entered into a bike race for the first time in my life. It was a cross country mountain bike race in Thailand. I was lucky to escape a big pile-up less than a kilometer after the start, but it was great fun. I can't remember now what position I finished but I won a cup. Entrants are usually categorized into different age groups (of 5 or 10 years spread) so that we're all competing against people of similar age.

Since that first race I have been racing whenever I have a chance. Generally I race in Thailand about 2 – 5 times per year. I often come in the top five finishers and have finished first a few times. I now have about 15 trophies on my shelf. On the other hand I have sometimes failed to finish due to mechanical problems such as a flat tyre but I have gradually gained experience and learned how to better prepare my bike properly to reduce the risk of such problems happening.

In mid-2006 I decided I see if hiring a professional coach would help me improve as I had never followed a structured training programme. I will write about that experience in another post about coaching.

Typically I train between 8 – 11 hours per week. On average I probably cover 30 - 33km per hour so this time equates to a distance of about 1,000 km/month. I rest one or two days a week (usually Monday and sometimes Friday too). Weekend rides are longer than the weekday rides.

"LEGENDARY FITNESS"

I've included this link to Legendary Fitness LLc because I'm a weightlifter and bodybuilder (not in the same class as Diane Fields and Richard Baldwin) and they aim their site specifically at the BB Generation. Here's a quote from a very interesting article entitled "Boomers and Injuries:.."Boomers must be realistic about the aging process, but that doesn't mean to stop training! It just means to train smart". Good advice. The site is dated 2003 and the last entry seems to be 2006, so I'd like to know if the Legendary Fitness crew is still pumping iron. Anyhow, check out the link - good pics too of some great champions like Frank Zane. P.S. the photo is me aged 56.... I look better now!

EXPERIENCES and PROFILES

We want to share experiences and profile people that we've found inspirational.

In this Main Topic we'll hear from people of all ages in different places doing different things from cycling in Laos thru' tennis in the UK, Tai Chi in China, to marathon running inThailand...there's no limit to what the BB Generation can and does do to keep fit and healthy.

We'll also document those people who devote their lives to other people's well-being perhaps through hands-on healing and massage to teaching yoga or being a bodybuilding guru. There's a place for regular medical and fitness advice too.

We'll share stories, experiences and provide the links to useful sites

You can also find out something about the person behind this site by clicking on "Q's World"

OVERVIEW and GOALS

The goal of this blog is to provide a focal point for Baby Boomers to learn and exchange ideas about mind-body fitness over 50.

The target audience is for those born between 1946 and 1964 - the Baby Boom Generation. For more information check out The Boomer Initiative (formerly the American Association of Baby Boomers) – a non-profit organization that addresses the challenges of the members of this vast generation and the challenges of the generations to follow (see link on the right).

The BB Generation is focused on internally directed values such as:

• age acceptance
• gains in stamina and energy
• preventing age-related illness
• mental and spiritual well-being

The blog has three main parts, two on this page and one on another page.

On this page:

- FITNESS FORWARDS - practical/tactical activities that deal with energy, stamina, strenght and mind and body well-being

- FIT PEOPLE - the experiences and profiles of inspirational people who plan to be fit as they get older or people who can help you stay fit

On the next page:

- THINK FIT - ideas, books, reviews and more links to useful websites - you get to this material by hitting the link to Think Fit on the right of this page

Each post is labelled with one of these three categories so you can reach the subject areas easily by clicking in the column on the right. Then just follow your interests.

SITE MAP - Click on the link on the right side of the page to see this map

We also want to hear from you. Comment on the posts or contact us at bbgeneration@quartermaines-world.com

Acknowledgement: the BBGeneration logo of the two runners was kindly provided free by PaulPePro at www.flickr.com/photos/paul-suew/ who has lots of cool photos about jogging. We have no idea who the two people are, but they capture the spirit of what this blog is about, so thanks to them and to Paul.