BE LIKE BOB–Part 3:
I’m growing…at age 62…I’m growing!!! I wish I was growing height, but instead, I’m growing MUSCLE!!! Yes, a “pushing 63 years old” is actually growing muscle.
Wow do I ever eat up the compliments when anyone notices!
“Hey, nice guns, Bob”.
“Wow, man, your shoulders are getting big”.
“Nice triceps, man”.
“No way you’re almost 63; hope I look that good when I’m your age”.
Yup, I just eat those compliments right up and someone noticing is actually fuel for me to work harder.
Working harder is only going to make me feel better and look even better, and that’s the whole purpose of the journey that I’m on: I want to look better; I want to live to be 100+; and I want to stay healthy!
If you’ve read my two previous blogs, then you already know that I started this journey of muscle and stamina building on May 31. Then, I made a conscious decision to “get back” into fitness training after a 3 month semi-hiatus. Working with my trainer, Derek Kuryliw, I began my re-indoctrination to fitness with boot camp-style training and exercises.
I had to get into the “I can do it” mindset. And boot camp really gets the blood flowing, the heart racing, and the mind-over-matter attitude growing. Besides boot camp, I began training one-on-one with Derek. Derek built a personal program for me and our working together helped build my confidence and assurance that I can do what I’ve set my mind and body to do.
Training with Derek has helped me think-through what I’m doing–at first consciously almost to distraction, but eventually the thinking becomes second nature–so my mind and muscles work together.
Derek’s taught me form, and light-to-heavy then heavy-to-light lifting, pushing, and absolutely understanding what each push or pull stimulates which muscle and each muscle part!
No kidding, I’m actually learning to feel the muscle and look at the muscle I’m exercising. And then, once I have the form and the understanding down pat, I add or subtract weight as needed to get the growth I’m seeking.
Growing muscle is not simple. It takes correct form and movement over time and with constant repetition and modification–that’s in the gym or at the weight bench. I’m pretty much a gym-rat now. I train with Derek three times a week, but, I’m at a local gym 6 days a week working on some muscle group. I’ve also found that 30-40 minutes of a decent, sweaty, workout motivates the muscles to grow.
For muscles to grow they must be fed the right food. That food is protein—and lots of it. There are protein shakes, and protein bars, protein drinks, and lots of meat and some fish (I don’t eat much fish because I have a dislike for all except the crustacean family!).
For me the next step is to get away from those delicious desserts–like ice cream, or cookies, or a piece of cake! Those are my weaknesses. But, I want killer abs, which means I have to cut down on the foods that go straight to the gut an replace them with healthy fruit, yogurt, and other wholesome foods.
So, while I am growing muscle, I won’t be satisfied until I gain more muscle, get those abs of mine in shape! I absolutely want to feel comfortable taking my shirt off and showing-off the new me!
I’m getting there, but, I still have a long way to go. But, I do have a time frame: I’m going to visit my sons in late August and early September and I want them to say…”wow, dad, look at you!
I have the confidence I talked about in Parts 1 & 2 of this blog, and guess what? I’m no longer taking my diabetic medication! Because of the work I’ve done in physical training and changing my diet (well except for the ice cream and cookies!!) my blood sugar levels are consistent with non-diabetic people.
Hooray for me–and hooray for my great trainer and motivator, Derek Kuryliw.
Standby for more blogs from me…and I hope that Part 4 will include a “new me photo”. Not yet…but sometime soon!
Thanks,
Confident Bob
Derek Kuryliw, Certified Sports Nutritionist & Personal Trainer Slim Fit Diet & Fitness, CEO/Founder
for questions or comments [email protected] or 727.851.SLIM
Click here to get inspired ——–> https://derekkuryliw.com/coaching/
