Tom Brady this past week ran the 40 yard dash at almost the age of 42 faster than he did as a 23 year old rookie. Granted he was not the fastest athlete when he ran the 40 at 23. However, conventional wisdom used to say that this feat would be nearly impossible.
In my youth, I saw athletes who were legends play a little too long. At times, it could be painful to watch. I have seen Mohammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard have one too many fights. I have also seen players like Larry Bird and Dan Marino play a year or two too long.
However with today’s knowledge of health, fitness, technology, and sports medicine, the landscape is completing changing. We are now seeing athletes like Tom Brady win Super Bowls in their 40’s. Roger Federer won a major title at 36 years old. LeBron James is playing his best basketball at 35,
The question is, does playing, competing, and living a fit and healthy lifestyle go beyond 40? Can it go beyond 50? Can living a healthy and fit lifestyle apply to non-professional athletes like you and I in our 50’s?
What I have decided to do is embark on a journey to a healthy and fit lifestyle. I am 53 as I write this, and I have decided to get in the best shape of my life. This is someone who was a long distance runner in my teens running cross country and track in high school. At age 44, I got in the best shape of my life. I weighed 160lbs and wore a size 31 waist. Now I am 187lbs and wear a size 34 waist. Thus, I know that running marathons, having less than 10% body fat, and competing at a very high level in my 50’s is very attainable.
Who is with me on this journey? If so, outstanding.
Here are the staring steps in order to begin the journey of living healthy and fit beyond 50:
- Make a plan and create a vision (map). The start is to plan. How many times a week do you want to go to the gym? How many times do you want to run or bike, etc.? How do you see the journey and the end result? What do you want for your body and health? For me, I will go to the gym five times per week to build a base. I will then mix distance running into it. My goal is having vibrancy, energy, and be lean and muscular like a tennis pro.
- Create a why (otherwise, you will only get as far as #1). It is very important to write down your short term and long term goals. For example, I will run 2 miles to start and increase my mileage along the way. I will get to five miles in 3 weeks. Also, what is your reason for being healthy and fit? For me, I want to have energy to take my business to the next level and have the energy to grow my business and have a beautiful and fulfilling relationship with my soulmate.
- Make the commitment. This is a must because if you waver, you will find a way out. Declare your commitment publicly like I am doing her. Get an accountability fitness buddy like I temporarily have right now with my house guest, Andrew. Remember once you make the commitment, you have burned the boats and cannot go back.
- Take action. This is obvious, but following through is vital. Put the effort in. If your goal involves the gym, work out intensely with little rest between sets. Put away your phone unless you are playing music on a cardio machine.
- Record your results. This is an excellent way to keep a journal to measure your progress and how far you have come. A journal will keep you going during the toughest of times because of the measured progress. The journal will also serve as a fulfilling way to share with others, even after you are no longer here.