My wife keeps on telling me, "You've messed with your body so long, it's just telling you, 'Are you sure? Do you really mean it this time?' And once you convince it, it'll drop a couple more pounds." Sometimes I feel like it's not MY body, you know? I feel like I'm still a long way off from controlling it -- like we have a dysfunctional relationship that's been injured by too many fights. Weird, I know.
Thanks Risty & JLynne - I do feel good after I get out of the gym. Whenever I don't feel like going in, I conjure up that feeling, and it motivates me.
I think Steve does about twice as much as I do. On the other hand, I don't see any other 58 year olds in the gym doing what I do, so I feel good about that.
Most of us, (myself included) wished we had that kind of drive and ambition.
A smiley just for you, Sirant.Haha -- actually it didn't start that way. 6 months ago, I totally dragged myself to the gym. However, I'm very competitive at heart, so each time I went in , I tried to improve just a little bit. After a few months, it got me to where I am now.
Trouble is, improving now comes in VERY small increments -- 5 pounds at a time in weights, a few rpm faster on an interval. But the way we view aging here in the US is as a period of constant decline. So just staying even is a victory of sorts.
A smiley just for you, Sirant.
But as I got fitter and faster, I started worrying about it less, to the point now I actually enjoy the stares and lingering looks... I take the same route home everyday, so those same shop keepers and security guards who used to "Waaah!!" me and giggle as I walked/jogged by now see my coming and cheer, give me thumbs ups and pat my back as I run by. I don't know who they are and they don't know me, but they certainly respond differently to seeing me now. That in itself gives me more drive to push forward.... By summer I expect they will not only be impressed but will begin to wonder if it is the same guy.

Now, THAT is a sight I'd love to see.![]()
plateau, round 3.its kinda cool really. As much as people may stare at you for being a "big guy" here, they do totally respect and admire those of us who are making a difference. They do have a general conception that westerners are lazy and fat here, so to see one getting skinny to them is like seeing a movie star!
Sure helps to keep me moving.
And when I make my millions off the Beer, Ice cream and Running weight loss program I will invite you and the wife to China! Then you can see it, the sauna and the hot pot first hand!!!
sirant
Hey TomO... just dropping by. Sounds like you're doing well and keeping your spirits up.Congrats on the deadlift success.
Nice lifting Tom. There are plenty of guys doing partial squats using the same weight as you. Not many doing full squats. Young or old.
Be proud.
I am wondering if you dropped your average caloric intake to 10 cals per pound, if your plateaus would be as frequent. Just a thought. If I were in your shoes, with the mind-frame that you have regarding plateaus (a good one), I probably wouldn't change anything at this point. Just thinking out-loud.
I think I mentioned this to you before too.

Now that's the most depressing chart i've ever seen...
10 calories per pound -- that's exactly where I'm at now. In fact, I raised it this month, from 9.7 calories. The scale had me fooled into thinking plateaus were a thing of the past, so I thought my setting was a bit too low. Irrational Exuberance strikes again.
I honestly don't think I should change anything just yet. The last two plateaus lasted 33 days and 36 days respectively, and didn't move until I had built up a deficit of 12,000 calories. There's no reason to suspect this one is any different.
Oh, I see what you mean now - don't EAT more than 10 calories a pound. Yeah, I probably need to do that. I'll try to start keeping within 2,360 calories a day. I have been going over that a bit - last 14 days have averaged 2,650 calories, as a matter of fact.
Mother's Day will be a challenge. It's one of those family events at an all-you-can-eat buffet, where the food is plentiful and greasy. While it will be great to see everyone in our extended family (about 20 people), I wish I could avoid that buffet somehow. But I can't, so I'll just take it as another challenge.