Oletimer’s BodyBlog

In six weeks I will walk out onto a stage in Indy for my first contest. At age 62 and less than 3 years of training, I have no expectations of winning, even my 60+ division. I have never participated in a sporting contest and had any expectations of winning. Mine is always to test myself against the course and the field. If I have prepared properly and exert total effort then I can only do the best that I can do. I have no control over judges opinion, or the quality of the other participants.

I could win a trophy and feel like I lost, or finish last and feel like a total winner. I don’t expect too many who read this to understand completely, but if the measure of a winner is only the one who tops the field and hoists the trophy overhead, then the world is entirely filled with losers, save an elite group. Not being in the elite group does not relegate the rest of us to worthlessness, but rather to a strong band of participants who relish the challenge and the victory one gets from the competition itself.

Usually a victory easily won is a victory easily taken for granted or quickly forgotten. The ones seasoned with blood, sweat, and tears are the most satisfying and richly remembered.

Interestingly this site refers to a posted pic as an "avatar". (See profile pic page). The definition of an "avatar" is a reincarnated Hindu deity! Avatar is also the name of a short lived cartoon show that ran on "Nicktoons" from 2005 to 2008. Hmmm..

How does one know when they have reached their personal potential for fitness? There must be a genetic and physiological ceiling to progress. When does one know when the investment is exceeding the dividends returned for the effort?

This week’s question from the "Oletimer" is; what are the pros and cons regarding sugarless drink mixes, i.e. lemonade, grape, etc. These have zero calories and other than probably having an additive that causes cancer in rats, (what doesn’t anymore) is this harmful, beneficial, or neutral  as  part of a bodybuilders diet?  They sure make drinking a gallon of water  a day more  palatable. What say those in the "know"?

I’ve read some on this site alluring to the fact that bodybuilding might be offensive to God. Maybe it is the way some go about it, but I believe if we sincerely acknowledge His daily grace and intervening strength in our lives He will honor those who honor Him. Case in point:

I had to find someplace or way to cut a 60 second music program for my upcoming show. To do this takes some specialized software programs or studio recording equipment. I have neither. But, I find out that my church has just such equipment and kindly allowed me the time to do what was needed. I now have 3 separate music programs and several copies of each. Soli deo Gloria..To Him Alone the Glory!

Ok, HELP!…How do I delete photos from my main gallery? Deleting from the "progress pic" section is easy, there’s a little "delete" button to click, but i can’t find the delete picture in the main gallery section. I don’t want more than 5 or 10 pics in my gallery…thanks

For those of you kind enough to respond to this dumb ole man’s question about the missing calorie substance in Light Beer, you were all right! Budweiser answered my question with the same answer; alcohol has 7 calories per gram. Then they encouraged me to continue drinking their product. I don’t drink it to start with, but I got my answer for my fat beer drinking friend…lol I guess that’s why it’s called empty calories…

Ok, nutrition experts, here’s one for you. Bud Light lists 110 calories per can. 6.6 g. of carb and 0.9 g. of protein. 0 fat. By my calculation, carbs and protein X 4 cal. per g. only comes to 30 accounted for calories. Where does the other 80 unaccounted for calories come from?

Well as promised, new progress pics are posted. Sorry about the lighting. The pictures are much lighter than they scanned. I’m at 173 lbs- 10% BF. I think I definitely need to cut another 10 lbs and 3-5%BF for definition. I also need to work on bicep peaking and posing mechanics. I’m 12 weeks out for first contest. I would welcome any criticisms and suggestions. Don’t worry, you won’t offend me. I need honest opinions, not "patronizing pats"..thanks to all who have been encouraging me. It’s greatly appreciated.

I’ve been working on this old body for nearly 3 years now. Not much time, I know, but ya gotta start somewhere. I’ve got my gym set up in my unattached garage. The car doesn’t live there anymore..lol..Temperatures in the summer, like now, reach 100+ even with a fan on and the door open. Winter time, my kerosene heater will warm it up to a "toasty" 40 degrees when it’s really cold outside.

Some friends of mine have tried to get me to join the local "Y". Climate controlled and every piece of equipment and machine imaginable. A guy would be crazy not to workout there. But, alas, there is just something intangible about the old garage gym. Like a spouse that is sometimes hot and sometimes frigid, nevertheless, she’s mine and I can’t seem to forsake her for the comforts of a modern environment. I built her, and she’s always there for me. Maybe I’m sentimental. Maybe I’m just old, but that’s just me I guess.