You all know by now that I reentered the Army (well, the National Guard) after a 25 year absence. To do that, I had to lose weight and get in better shape.

I made the decision at the end of 2006. I weighed around 245, couldn't run even a quarter mile without feeling like I would die, and could do about 10 pushups and 6 situps. In short, I was exactly what you'd expect a 44 year old computer programmer to be, fitness wise.

So I began to watch what I ate, started running nearly every day (weather permitting), and started doing pushups, situps, and some light weight work.

By the time I took my entrance physical, I was down to 212, which was still too heavy, but with a body fat that just came in at the wire. I continued to work out - starting at the gym at work (the County I work for has a gym for the Sheriff's department that is open for all employees). I got so not only could I run the required two miles, I could beat the time needed. When my first fitness test came around in March of this year, I was able to do 40 push ups, 40 sit ups, and ran two miles in 17:55. That easily met the standard, but I've always been a little competitive.

Last month, I took another test. I did 54 push ups, 57 sit ups, and ran those two miles in 16:36.

That's a 35% increase in push ups, 43% increase in sit ups, and an improvement of 1:19 in the run. That was also good enough to meet the standard for every age group except the 17-21 year old group.

I'm scheduled to take another test in September when I return to my unit. My goal: 60 push ups, 72 sit ups, and 16:00 on the run.

I'm relating this to show you that if you have the desire you can go from couch potato to pretty fit.

It takes work, there will be pain (lots of it probably), but the results are pretty nice. The 40 inch waist pants are gone, and the 32-34 inch ones are back. I'm down from xl shirts to mediums. And I'm not afraid to go to the beach.

My $.02

You are a true inspiration my freind! I thought it was pretty cool that you returned to the military after all those years,but when you add in the physical transformation you have made, it's even more incredible.

You should be very proud of what you have accomplished.

Let us know how you come out on the September tests. I am rooting for you.

That, my friend, is impressive progress!!

Thanks guys. Just finished a little in-room workout (it's raining, so my interval work will have to wait until tomorrow I guess). Still getting better - and thinner. Down to 195.

Thanks for the inspiration!!!

Bump.

Bump.

Bump

BUMP AGAIN!

At 44, with those numbers, I believe you are well over what the average expectation is for someone out age.

I turn 45 this February. My goal is a mile under 8 minutes and 100 push ups.

We'll see.

Jon

quote:

Originally posted by Over43:
At 44, with those numbers, I believe you are well over what the average expectation is for someone out age.

I turn 45 this February. My goal is a mile under 8 minutes and 100 push ups.

We'll see.

Jon

In my experience, the 8 minute mile is realistic, but 100 continous pushups is well outside the boundaries of what most of us will ever do. I spent 31 years in the Navy and witnessed many fitness test. The highest number of pushups I ever personally witnessed was 83 and that was from a 22 year old guy who was in incredible shape. The most I ever got was 58, but I did routinely run faster than 8 minute miles. My best single mile was 6:20 and I was totally out of gas when I finished. Hitting 100 situps in two minutes was not uncommon and I was able to do that fairly consistently.

great job lks!!! i know how hard the weight loss merry go round can be and keep off. good luck to you and keep up the good work!!!

(btw, i have lost a mere 10 lbs but have somehow put back on two of them)

Pecos, I think you were right. I started doing push ups and after a couple of days thought I was headed in for shoulder surgery. I think I'll stick with the running.

O43

You need to slowly work on pushups. It is probably one of the best exercises that you can do for your upper body - plus it works your core like a dedicated plank bridge would do.

I've started adding distance to my runs now. I'm up to 3 miles, but I don't run that every day yet.

Ok, another followup:

Last night, just for kicks, I did as many situps as I could - no time limit - just making sure I did them to Army standards and resting only in the approved position (that's the "up" position).

Did 80. Thinking back to the first part of 2007, I couldn't even do 10. That makes me smile.

Also am going to run in my first 5K. The race will be next month.