Name Calling

The Urban Dictionary defines the word “geezer” as “humorous or mildly disparaging: an odd, eccentric, or unreasonable person (usually a man): an old man, perhaps, too old and set in his ways to know what's new in the world.”

Many researchers think there's an "inner-geezer" hormone that starts to kick in at about age 50 — the sneaky devil. At that age, most of us don’t even notice its presence. Yet it creeps along, slowly, and with each passing year, its boldness grows. If we don’t watch out, in a decade or two, the inner-geezer will rule.

Its takeover succeeds only because it is almost invisible; we really don’t realize it’s happening while it’s happening. Inner-geezer stealth on one’s mental attitudes is also closely connected to our physical side. Examples: One day, we take stock of ourselves and realize we don’t get around as well as we used to. Or, reality may smack us in the face when the doctor doesn’t like the look of things at an annual physical.

Is prevention even possible? To a great extent, yes, it is. Beware of the warning signs. One bright red flag: are you spending more and more time in front of electronic devices — without creating compensatory time for exercise?

There is a remedy.

Resistance training will suppress the nasty hormone, keeping it at bay. What you’ve heard is true. Resistance exercise -- barbells, kettlebells, resistance bands, or bodyweight exercise — can do wonders. Thus, we spend more time looking forward than backward. We retain, or even reclaim, many of the positive aspects of youth, mentally and physically.

About the picture at the top of the page: That’s me entering my 70s. I was never a big-time athlete. But regardless of some wrinkles and gray hair, I was still in pretty good shape. I exercised regularly in a smart way and followed a common-sense diet. Years of experience and training taught me how to go about it.

Today, I'm 89. I can’t even come close to what I was doing at 70, and certainly not what I could do at 60, or especially at 50. People in their 50s and 60s are the ones I refer to as “young seniors.” Once they’ve gotten in shape, they can still push and even extend their limits. Generally, though, in our 70s and beyond, the focus should be on staying active, rather than pushing the envelope.

My great pleasure is providing honest information to help you keep the inner-geezer from getting the upper hand.

The material at the Senior Exercise Central is 100% free.

Stay healthy. Stay fit.

Logan

Senior Exercise Central

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Sincerely,

Logan Franklin
The Gray Iron Fitness Newsletter
www.senior-exercise-central.com