Contributors to this thread:
Eat more fat and cut carbs. Carbs and sugar are the cause for most arthritis
Eat more protein. Then eat more. Lift heavy weights. Rest and repeat. It’s amazing what muscle mass does for overall health. Stay strong as you grow old.
Eat more protein. Then eat more. Lift heavy weights. Rest and repeat. It’s amazing what muscle mass does for overall health. Stay strong as you grow old.
Eat a healthy, balanced diet with proper macros and stay active. Cut out preservatives, additives, and all the other poison in our food supply. It's that simple.
Protein and carbs go hand in hand. You have to eat the right carbs.
How old is "old"? I work out much differently at 70 than I did at 50, and 60.
Yeah, I used to be able to cut weight by working out....not now.
Maintaining muscle tone and trying to stay as flexible as possible is a worthy exercise.
I've always been a hard charger...but realize now that pacing is a good strategy to avoid injury. Shooting my recurve for hours- nope, arthritis flares up....same with many long hard workouts I used to do. Trail running....fuggetit!
if I want to be able to walk the next day...or shoot....or anything....I need to be smart about it.
I will have you fellas know there is only 4 ingredients in the perfect bourbon, Corn, Barley, Rye and time. That's clean living!
It’s a progressive condition called O. L. D. If you’re not familiar with the term make the best of it while you’re able, because it’s coming…
“A man’s got to know his limitations” Doesn’t mean you stop doing what you enjoy, you just approach it differently each year as you get older.
This discussion reminds me about the young bull and the old bull. If you are old you will remember the joke. I have been in physical therapy recently . The advice given is keep moving. If it hurts keep moving in ways that will hurt less. I have changed the way I do things but find a way to keep doing the things I enjoy. Getting old is something not everyone is lucky enough to do.
This is a very timely conversation for me. I’m 68 but sometimes my head tells me I’m still 18. I just try to go easy now while still enjoying things I love to do. Injuries don’t heal as fast when you get older. Go easy.
Old is what old is , amazing to just slow walk to that stand , no sweating , stay a bit longer . Amazing the odds stay in the positive.
Keep doing what works. Young-ins will get this as they age.
Amen Charlie. Your as old as you act. I'm 12.
I keep in shape year round. I normally work out 5-6 days a week, alternating between cardio and weight training. At my age, I’ve learned the hard way to listen to your body when lifting heavy. Number 1 rule that I failed at miserably: listen to your body. Being sore is normal. But if it’s pain, back off instead of trying to push through. Your muscles can take a lot. However, your joints, ligaments, and tendons are the weakest link. At 70, I’m now paying dearly for 35 years of lifting heavy and not backing off a little when I needed to. Definitely weight train, but be smart about it.
It’s all about making wise choices when you’re young and old. Being hard on yourself when you’re young will come back to haunt you when you age.
Fact. Don't do it because you can. My father is 85, great shape. Plays golf 3 days a week, fished with him for 6 hours this morning. He never (now or throughout his life) does things to excess. Very measured. It is why his back, knees, hips...are all still healthy.
I wish I was wired the same way.
Develop good nerve recruitment/strength as early as you can. Then learn how to use your muscles to keep them healthy without jeopardizing orthopedic integrity. Easier said than done.
That said, we all do not age the same and because someone else your age can do something, do not lament it.
I have a boy I grew up playing baseball with...he is 6' tall, probably a softish 210 lbs. Never works out much. He is still playing baseball and will catch 18 innings in a weekend with no pain. We are 53 years old. I am not blessed with resilient shoulders. No point being jealous or trying something stupid. He is just built better than me.
I’m 73, just finished light weight work out and two miles on tread mill at a steep incline, fast walk. I do that 5-6 times a week. I eat a balanced diet, lots of vegs and some meat, mostly salmon, but some steaks and burgers. Leaving in the morning for antelope hunt in Ne, then on to Ks dove shooting, then on to NM forelk. I still get around pretty good, but I think I am sensible about the weight I lift, how high I climb and how fast I get things done. Have a good season guys and gals.
I do much better with lighter weights and higher reps. I still go to failure and get sore (DOMS) as heck after a good workout. I love being sore. It means I did it right.
"...Corn, Barley, Rye and time."
dont forget good clean water and a little yeast. without them you just have some funky flour.
:)
+1 Nick. There is not a trainer anywhere who will recommend heavy weight training for senior hunters. Lighter weights, lots of reps, keep the joints, tendons, and ligaments in good working order. You can look like a body builder but if the infrastructure breaks down, those bulging muscles are useless. I really like band resistance too, and take a couple to camp with me for daily stretching.
I used to go into the season about 8-10 pounds over my normal weight (195) because I had a hard time getting enough calories to maintain through a month long season. Now that I'm older, and hunt slower and not as far in, I don't do that anymore.
When you say not to go overboard lifting , do you mean lift what is comfortable for 10-12 reps ? I am 69 and just want to maintain . Do 12 machines 3 times a week at Planet . Last couple reps are a little harder . Thank you
Here's the link to my article, for those who missed it. Has a very good workout routine for senior hunters
That's the rep range I like, Ogoki. Minimum of 3 sets not counting a warmup set or two and I usually superset with another exercise. I also prefer free weights over the machines but use the cable machine quite a bit.
Thank you . I do minimum of 3 sets . Not a lot of free weights at gym I use and what is there is always in use . I look at the weight setting other guys were at before I get on machine and seems like I am 25-35 % higher , but what I am doing is comfortable. Thank you again
I did very little weight training recently for my sheep hunt. Lots of cardio and weight loss. Cant explain it but my legs never got sore or tired.
With weights or machines I like to start with my max weight (after warmup), then decrease weight as I go through my reps. Good workout for stronger muscles. Try it.
I walk primarily......I get 10-15K steps daily at least 3-4 days a week. I climbed a tree 15 billion times hanging my stand recently.....and am not so disabled 2 days later that I can't function......which is surprising to me.
Mostly I hunt a little differently. I turn 55 during my hunt this year. Going solo...again. I used to want to cover ground and could not wait to see what was over the next rise or gully.....no matter the pain involved. Now I just focus on spots the elk leave sign as being their favs and mostly ignore the spots between...other than trails.....and am more content to sit and watch and listen than to be moving all the time. I have learned to spot places near roads most others pass on by to go deep.
I do not go deep. Been dere, done dat......fork it.
I try to focus on what elk need......shelter, food, water then put boots on the ground to test out the theory until I find a match. Then I broaden my perspective to see if I can figure out the puzzle of how the elk are moving through the area, when and why so I can plan accordingly.....knowing those patterns will change over time into the rut.
For me, the hunting part isn’t the problem. It’s the getting that 6-800 lb beast out of the woods by myself that’s becoming more of an issue. A quality pack frame and trekking poles have become a absolute necessity.
There is no one workout solution. It is so body specific.
