Posted: 2/1/2013 10:10:39 AM EDT
|
I turned 67 today.
For the last 27 years, I’ve had kind of a pushup obsession. When I was 39, I set a goal to do my age in pushups on my 40th birthday. I could already do 30-some-odd, so it wasn’t a problem. I’ve made this goal part of my general fitness routine and I do it every year. It’s a good way to make sure I stay in reasonable shape and make some progress along the way. I have four workout routines, two “push” and two “pull”. This morning, I went to the gym for the “push” workout that concentrates on pushups and core. I always start these workouts with a 60 second no-warm-up, max-speed set of pushups. I’m a retired military officer and I’m careful to maintain the standard military PT-test form. Getting 67 pushups in a minute isn’t a problem and since last summer I’ve been trying to get to 75. After being stuck on 72-73, I increased the weight (by about 15%) and lowered the reps on my other “push” routine using the bench and overhead press machines. That did the trick. Today I did 81 pushups in 60 seconds. I have witnesses. 
You’d think it would get harder as the years pass, but it doesn’t. I’m stronger now than I’ve ever been. I could do more pullups as a teenager, but I can still do 16-18, so I’m not too unhappy. I think the key to my success is consistency. Except for the two weeks a year when my wife and I go to Europe, I hit the gym three times per week. I cycle through my four routines in order, meaning that I do each routine every 9-10 days. I avoid over-training by avoiding isolation exercises, sticking to the big, compound-muscle exercises like pullups and pulldowns, low rows, bench and pressing movements, etc. Even my core exercises involve multiple body parts. It’s unusual for me to be in the gym for more than 30 minutes. I get enough rest to insure recovery and growth. My diet isn’t anything special. I eat about 2/3 of what I want. I never eat until I’m “full”. I eat what I want, just less of it. I never, never drink soda. A 12-pack of beer lasts me a couple of months, although I do drink red wine and some hard booze. At 5’9” with a slim frame, I weigh 142 lbs. My waist is 30” and my chest is 43”. I’m real happy with my abs. It’ll be interesting to see how long I can keep this up. I’m well ahead of where I need to be. I feel as good as I did 35 years ago. Too bad that, from the neck up, I don’t look as good. 
|
