From Fatty to Fitty: My hilarious Midlife Fitness Journey
A humorous take to my own journey in fitness. I am no expert but hope my journey motivates you to take your health seriously. After a key component of a balanced life is ENERGY!!
The Great Dubai Reunion: When Middle-Aged Men Conquer Health (or at Least Try To)
Ah, Dubai—a city of towering skyscrapers, luxury shopping, and... a gaggle of 50-something college buddies attempting to relive their glory days. Picture this: eleven men from various corners of the globe, converging to reminisce about the good ol' days, only to find that their most animated discussions revolve around... health and energy levels. Yes, gone are the times when "pulling an all-nighter" meant partying; now it means getting up twice to use the bathroom.
The Toe-Touching Trials
One observant friend noted a significant drop in our collective energy since our last rendezvous 2-3 years ago. Touching our toes while standing erect? A Herculean task. Fifteen pushups? Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Sure, we're all 50+ men, but shouldn't we be able to do more than just groan when getting off the couch?
Redefining Fitness: Beyond the Six-Pack
Being healthy isn't about flaunting a chiseled physique or fitting into skinny jeans. It's about having the energy to live our best lives. Personally, I joke that I want to be fit enough that when a young suitor comes to take my daughter out, he takes one look at me and thinks, "Maybe I'll just stay home tonight." (My daughter does think it is funny, at least for now)
Over the next few weeks, I'll chronicle my quest for that elusive balance—how to be more energetic while still enjoying life. Spoiler alert: it doesn't involve kale smoothies or marathon running.
My Rollercoaster Health Journey
Flashback to my youth: a scrawny kid so thin that my teacher once used me as a visual aid for a skeleton. At 185 cm tall, I weighed a mere 66 kg—think "walking stick with a pulse." Fast forward a few years, and I was thrilled to get to 85 kg. But then, the trifecta of work stress, travel, and late-night partying pushed me to 95 kg. My new normal was "pleasantly plump," which eventually escalated to 104 kg. Yes, I broke the triple-digit barrier—not exactly the milestone I was aiming for.
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With this weight gain came the uninvited guests: hypertension, hyperacidity, and high cholesterol. Climbing stairs felt like scaling Everest, and a round of golf required a post-game nap.
Something had to give and nah I’m not talking about my clothes!!
The Numbers Don't Lie
Over the next 12-18 months, I managed to:
Shed 6+ inches off my waist: My belt holes are still in shock.
Drop 7% body fat: Goodbye, love handles.
Decrease my BMI by 6 points: Take that, BMI chart.
Lose 20 kg: From 104 kg to 84 kg—my scale is breathing a sigh of relief.
Achieving this for a tall guy at 49 wasn't a walk in the park (though there were plenty of those).
My (Not-So-Secret) Transformation Framework
Knowledge is Power: I became a health detective, sifting through the internet and consulting with fitness aficionados, listening to various podcasts. With so many "experts" touting conflicting advice—"Carbs are the devil!" "No, fats are!"—I realized the only way forward was to educate myself.
Intent Matters: What did "fit" mean to me? Six-pack abs? Nah. I wanted to enjoy my favorite activities without needing a medic on standby. Hitting a golf ball farther (you should see the look on guys 20 years younger, when I outdrive them in golf), taking long walks without wheezing, and maybe even receiving a compliment or two (why not).
Food is Medicine: Workouts are great, but abs are made in the kitchen (and unfortunately, so are love handles). I started viewing food as medicine, not just a reward for surviving a Monday.
Workouts: Strength training became my best friend, with a side of cardio, yoga and a sprinkle of meditation. Lifting weights not only built muscle but also provided ample opportunities to grunt and feel accomplished. Dopamine here I come!
Sleep: Recovery is crucial. Plus, who doesn't love an excuse to nap? And nah, sleeping less is NOT a superpower!!
In the coming weeks, I'll delve into each of these pillars, debunk some myths, and share the behaviors that kept me going—because we've all been that person who buys a gym membership on January 1st and forgets about it by Valentine's Day (no don’t tell me that you don’t even make it that far!)
The Ripple Effect
A delightful side effect of this journey? My family caught the fitness bug. My wife and kids now work out five to six days a week, and we're all more mindful of our food choices. Turns out, fitness is contagious (ahem).
This also meant I bid adieu to hypertension pills and other diseases. I am also much stronger that I was 10 years ago…yes, ageing stronger!!
Your Turn
Until next week, ponder this: What's your health goal? What does "fit" mean to you? And remember, it's never too late to start—unless you're planning to join a senior gymnastics team, in which case, maybe start stretching now.
Very well written, Ramkey. Look forward to the follow-up articles. Great going indeed.