Hey there...

[fishinafly]

Ok, here we go...I hope.

Really want and need to get back in shape at age 48. Goal? Get in the best shape of my life. Hurdles? Forty eight years old, 15lbs over weight (6' 205lbs), high cholesterol and blood pressure, way out of shape, time, motivation, love to eat (including way too much junk) and one or two beers a day.

Should have had the crap scared out of me three years ago when I had to give up a kidney due to an oncocytoma. But still have trouble with healthy living and fitness motivation.

So, I hope joining this forum will be the start I need. Looking forward to hearing from others who have been or are in the same boat.

Here we go...

Craig

 

[g8r80]

Ok, here we go...I hope.

Really want and need to get back in shape at age 48. Goal? Get in the best shape of my life. Hurdles? Forty eight years old, 15lbs over weight (6' 205lbs), high cholesterol and blood pressure, way out of shape, time, motivation, love to eat (including way too much junk) and one or two beers a day.

Should have had the crap scared out of me three years ago when I had to give up a kidney due to an oncocytoma. But still have trouble with healthy living and fitness motivation.

So, I hope joining this forum will be the start I need. Looking forward to hearing from others who have been or are in the same boat.

Here we go...

Craig

Welcome Craig! I am not in the same boat as you, but a different but similar boat. I am 49 and had open heart surgery in April to replace my ascending aorta. In November, 2006, I had an angioplasty for a clogged artery. Mine was mainly genetic - my father died from atherosclerosis (clogged arteries) at 155#.

I completed 3 sprint triathlons after my surgery this year, 6 century bike rides, and am preparing for a Half Ironman in April, 2009.

I am just about 6' and 198# so I guess I need to lose a few pounds as well.

 

[fishinafly]

Welcome Craig! I am not in the same boat as you, but a different but similar boat. I am 49 and had open heart surgery in April to replace my ascending aorta. In November, 2006, I had an angioplasty for a clogged artery. Mine was mainly genetic - my father died from atherosclerosis (clogged arteries) at 155#.

I completed 3 sprint triathlons after my surgery this year, 6 century bike rides, and am preparing for a Half Ironman in April, 2009.

I am just about 6' and 198# so I guess I need to lose a few pounds as well.

Thanks for the inspiration g8r80! You've proven there's hope. I know we're talking different situations but how and where did you start your healthy lifestyle and exercise? I need a plan and some basic goals...

Craig

 

[g8r80]

Thanks for the inspiration g8r80! You've proven there's hope. I know we're talking different situations but how and where did you start your healthy lifestyle and exercise? I need a plan and some basic goals...

Craig

Craig, I had started working myself into shape before my cardiac issues came to light, although they were insiduously brewing for years. I started to get into shape in mid-2006, going from 217 pounds with 12.5" arms to my current 198 pounds (up a few because of the holidays) and 14.5" arms. I couldn't do a single chinup in 2006, but now can do 9. I am also a better runner and can swim decently (by rookie non-swimmer standards), and am close to being the cyclist that I was.

I used a personal trainer for the first couple of months until I saw some results. Once I started seeing results, that kept me motivated to keep going. I recommend using a personal trainer at a gym for 2 months for that reason. After making progress, I decided to look for some activities that would take advantage of my new fitness, so about 1.5 years ago I started a longterm plan to become a triathlete. After taking a few months off this year because of my surgery, I am where I want to be. 2009 will be my year for a 70.3 mile half Ironman, some sprint triathlons, maybe a marathon. In 2010, I may take a shot at a full 140.6 mile Ironman triathlon. Having longterm goals helps me and probably others.

Because of my previous cardiac issues, I take Lipitor and a calcium channel blocker. The Lipitor has no effect on me, but the calcium channel blocker or a beta blocker is standard prescription for cardiac patients, even though my blood pressure is 120/74 and my resting pulse is 55 (up from 49 before my surgery). The calcium channel blocker restricts my heart rate and makes me have to work harder than the next guy for the same effort, but that motivates me as well.