Keeping Fit at 79

 

After this post, about my grandfather. I thought it would be nice for you all to hear from him and how he keeps fit. So I asked him to write a bit about what he does. Here it is:

I like to keep my fitness routines interesting and varied.

From Spring to late Fall I ride my bicycle an average of 2000 miles, splitting the miles between my race bike and my all-purpose road bike.  I am an urban rider and can get in a 60 to 80 mile within an area between Parker and Boulder.   I tend to ride 25 to 30 miles before a stop, and continue that routine throughout my trip.  At the speeds I ride, I burn about 620 calories per hour.   Cycling is great for legs and lungs.

During the Winter I lift weights to maintain muscle tone and bone density.  Cyclists and Runners should do weight training, because those sports do not favor muscle tone and bone density.   Weight training burns an enormous amount of calories, not during the exercise, but afterward when the body repairs the muscles.  Weight training is also good for the heart, lungs, and balance.

These two fitness programs have been my routine for years and kept me fit enough for my cancer operation.  The trick is to keep your fitness routine fun.   If it's not fun, you're not going to want to do it.

A thought about mind and body:  The power of mind and body working together toward good health and fitness can't be ignored.  From my bicycle racing days I learned that the mind is more than half the race.  If the mind-set is to win, then winning becomes not only possible, but inevitable.

A very successful friend had buttons made up saying "Ya Gotta Wanna".  He gave me one in 1966 and I've kept it for forty-five years.  It's the heart of any endeavor.

As my grandfather says: If you don’t wanna, you ain’t gonna.

My grandfather is an avid reader of my blog, so if you have any questions or comments for him go ahead and leave them at the bottom! He’ll be more than happy to answer them all.

Thank you so much for writing this Grandpa! Love you!