Why Do Guys Stop?
I’ve been very fortunate to receive a lot of nice compliments from other BodySpace members. Well over half of the comments end with something like “… for your age” or some other reference to age. I’m always flattered and motivated when I get a compliment, but I wonder why it is apparently so unusual for a guy my age to be in shape? I see guys on here all the time who are near my age or older, some of them are even competitors! So, it makes me wonder — Why do guys stop working out?
I also wonder — If I was 38 and in the same shape, would I still get compliments or would I just blend in with the crowd? I’ve had a broken shoulder, 2 bulging discs in my lumbar spine, and a broken foot and finger, but these were just bumps in the road.
I realize by not starting to lift until I was 45 I got a late start and have a lot of catching up to do, but honestly, short of some physical disability, I see no reason to stop. Lifting makes me feel good about myself, it keeps me as active as guys 20 years younger than me, it makes it easy to buy and wear clothes and it gives me a lot to look forward to. Why would I, or anyone else, want to give all that up? I have no idea?
~Ray
July 23, 2008 at 1:45 pm
To answer your first couple of doubts/questions… you’re in incredibly AMAZING shape, regardless of "your age". ANY guy would be lucky to be half as ripped as you! And you’re in better shape than most guys at "38" or even in their 20’s for that matter!!
July 23, 2008 at 1:55 pm
you look good no matter what age..I wish I was as cut as you are…awesome work man…keep the plates clangin….
July 23, 2008 at 2:07 pm
That makes 2 of us. Just another "seasoned" guy.g
July 23, 2008 at 2:29 pm
I can give a couple of reasons (or excuses) why guys quit. I won a bb contest as a teenager then quit training because I joined the Navy. I still worked out but because of time constraints and lack of equipment on the ship the workouts were alot different (try lifting heavy on a ship that constantly rocks and rolls). Not to mention nutrition on the ship. After I got out of the military I won another show in ‘97. I qualified for national level shows but since I wasn’t using steroids I figured whats the point? So many national level competitors are. Since then my wife has had 2 children which took alot of my time. Poeple change and priorities change. I’m re-committing myself now and I plan on getting in the best shape of my life.
July 23, 2008 at 2:52 pm
I too receive a great many comments that end with “for your age” and it makes me wonder why there are not more of us “older” folks in good shape. Take a look around you and no matter where you go and on any given day you may if you are lucky see one or two men who are in decent shape, never mind their age. I would also say that at the same time you might see 4 or 5 women who are in decent shape during that same period and that would take in the hundreds of people that walk by before you see these men and women.
I don’t think that people on average see hardly anyone in real good shape on a regular basis these days, and when they do see someone, how shall I put this, old enough to be their parent and in great shape they are shocked.
I cannot for the life of me answer your question as to why people stop working out, but I do know that if they there is not a sharp increase in the amount of people working out, never mind their ages, this whole continent is in huge trouble.
July 24, 2008 at 12:51 pm
I agree with the Captain. I am 34 and it is unusual in a typical crowd of 34 to see someone in shape. It’s disgusting really, how many people take there bodies for granted and treat it like @#$%. I see fat 300 lb plus guys out waxing thier cars every weekend. They take better care of an inanimate object then they do thier own body. As people get older they have families and get jobs. This seems to consume thier time. in actual fact keeping in shape creates more time because it gives you more energy to do what you need to do in the day. But this goes against common logic unfortunately. As this out of shape person gets older and careeres and families go away they are inflicted with all kinds of pains (from abusing thier body) and they use this as an excuse why they can’t work out, and they would rather reminise about how great a shape they were in rather than doing something about it. So when folks see someone like you who is in good shape for any age then see your age, they are stunned. The fact is you are unusual compared to the rest of the population. Take it as a compliment that you are in the top 1% of your age bracket (and any age bracket for that matter) when it comes to staying in shape and looking great.
July 24, 2008 at 1:13 pm
It is easy to give up, get caught up with life and families and careers… Now, i will probably get booed off the page for this, but I have much respect for a man that can balance his physical activities and his family life…. but if it ever becomes too much to balance, I would have even more respect for a man that would prioritize his family over anything else…. (even if that meant he became less cut or his bicep was not as peaked…..)
July 24, 2008 at 1:26 pm
That’s a great question. My dad is 62, and he used to be really fit–not from lifting but from rock climbing and hiking–but he has progressively cut out physical activity from his life, little by little over the years. Now, his body is overweight and doesn’t work quite right, and no wonder. It seems that many people have the mentality of "why bother?" They’re getting older, they think they won’t look as good, or won’t be as strong, or maybe the excitement just isn’t there anymore or maybe they think that phase of their life is over. Definitely not a path I will choose to take. And BTW- holy moly! You’re 58?!?!!! Keep up the hard work!
August 1, 2008 at 5:18 am
Regardless of age, it is people like yourself who keep me motivated to stay strong and focused in my fitness goals. I am certain that you have motivated many others also!
Thanks.
______________________
"Nothing is Impossible"
August 2, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Man…I’m glad that your not my age and built like that. The other day I was reading a bodybuilding book that basically said after 35 your ’screwed’. You make that guy look like an idiot. Your hard work and dedication are a testimony to us guys who are looking to start a life long journey of fitness. I actually am more motivated by you seasoned lifters (Oldsuperman, Capt Ahab and yourself) then us younger guys. Why? Because you prove that age is no excuse! Blessings!
August 8, 2008 at 9:17 pm
I think if you look at lifting as a way of like you may never quit.. if you look at it soley as a sport or an ends to a means like finding a hottie to hookup with then maybe once you reach you end goal then you stop.. As a lifestyle I think you enjoy the benefits and the rewards and satisfaction just follow.. I’m hooked, I just started but it is folks like you that help me see the next level is all about…. thanks for the post as always good stuff to think about
August 12, 2008 at 1:27 pm
I think your right. if you were 38 you’d probably blend in a bit.. I personally just don’t know guys who choose to keep working out or matter of fact start at 45. I love it.. truth is.. I think most people get excited because the younger guys like me want to be you at your age. Not that your old anyway.. I hope I’m not giving that impression. I don’t know why people stop.. I read somewhere after your 30 years old you bone density decreases by 4% each year. With weight training it increases by 1% each year. Makes no sense to stop when you look at it like that.
August 16, 2008 at 5:56 am
Thanks for the encouragement. My goal is to have a body very similar to yours.
August 28, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Right on dude. You got to be healthy and fit your whole life. You body like a house. You got to work on it Everyday and now and again do a major project on it to keep it running smooth.
August 31, 2008 at 6:04 am
It’s sad that it is so unusual for someone to be in good shape after 40 or 50. Many people settle in and get "soft". They accept it as getting older. But they do not understand that they are reducing both the length and quality of their lives. I consider myself to be in good shape, but not great shape right now. Others I’m around say I’m in great shape "for my age". Not good enough! I say… If you stop prioritizing fitness you have only one direction to go….DOWN!!!!!
September 3, 2008 at 5:41 pm
I personally believe that people are having a hard time making the time management/prioritization to give time for working out … and then eating correctly. When I was in my 20s I had less on my plate. In my 40s, I’ve got more stuff to do. A person married, with children has "X" more demands on their time than a single person does. Brian and others with families have shown that you can prioritize your workouts … but you will be giving up things (possibly) to do this. Also once we stop working out … it’s harder to get started back up later on if/when our lives become more hectic. We also, unfortunately, don’t need to be in shape like we were in the past. We drive everywhere instead of walking. We have to work out because a lot is now automated. It’s a negative to our long term health, though.
November 17, 2008 at 4:48 pm
First off, let’s just acknowledge that your development is exceptional. Period. Put a bag over your head (that is not meant as an insult) and you could pass for 30, when men hit their peak physique-wise, and would stand out in any crowd. You have any doubt? Go to a water park or the beach. Now, you ask why do people stop. Well, first, not enough people start and sustain to the point where they see the value. Younger guys do it for sport, so no sport, not workout. Sad to say, Americans are into quick fixes. Lose the weight, mission accomplished. Onto next priority. Even for those who get into the groove weight-wise, the plateaus and injuries can test the will. Then there is Newton’s Law, a body in motion will remain in motion, a body at rest will remain at rest unless acted upon by an outside force. On the motion side, way too many outside forces. On the rest side, too few. But, for those of us who see the value, it becomes a positive addiction. I have kept with it for years and will continue, while keeping a healthy balance between family, work, hobbies and friends. And when the young guys approach me in the gym and ask what is the secret, it is just a variation on the instructions on the shampoo bottle "lather, rinse, repeat", emphasis on repeat.
December 21, 2008 at 12:39 pm
I couldn’t agree more with muscleat50. I started bodybuiling (with a pro trainer) last year. I was ultimately driven because of my desire to manage my osteo-arthritis. I had throbbing pain in my hands, shoulders, and knees. My doc had recommended knee replacement. I could barely cross the street to my office–I was really in a bad way. So I was and am motivated by the avoidance of that kind of pain. My initial experience was not what I would have expected. As I started to loose weight and get buff I encountered a number of interesting things, including increased flirtations from very attractive young women and discouraging comments from middle-aged peers–who thought I was taking it (my health) to extremes. So the other reality was and still is getting used to a new body that affects people differently–. I also believe that our culture gives middle-aged folks the message that they are supposed to be fat or overweight or that the middle-age gut is "just part of being middle aged." Well I think those of us in our fifties on this site really challenge those erroneous stereotypes. I think being fifty-eight means that I need to be in the best shape of my life. Interestingly, my doc recommended a knee replacement–when I asked him why he didn’t recommend what I’m doing bb’ing, proper nutrition, resistance training, etc., he said, "most people wouldn’t do what you did. . ."
May 17, 2009 at 12:34 pm
I would say that priorities and motivation changes. When I go out of the Army I had a great body. Which I took for granted. You don’t think much about your diet when you’re thin. You don’t think much of exercise when you’re in good shape. I think it happens to most of us at one time or another. You look into the mirror and realize you’re out of shape and then wonder how it happened. I don’t think stopping is a conscious decision. I think we just let life control us versus us controlling life. It is a rare few who realize how to really live life before it ends.
May 17, 2009 at 12:42 pm
life happens, and unfortunately people get caught up in situations, and working out/dieting take a back seat…but for me, since this is my first year of lifting weights consistently, I feel like I wouldn’t stop for anything!…I love when I see another woman wearing something sleeveless when I am wearing something sleeveless, and she has NO muscle..I feel so proud and glad I invested my time and energy into this..:)..I’m a little competitive, eh?
July 26, 2009 at 5:22 am
hi mate feel the need to complement you on your lean physic reguardless of age your looking great , as to the thing about why people stop there must be loads of reasons . some people get old before their time others settle down and dont see the need to keep in shape as they have a partner and are not looking to attrached anyone. but for all the ones that stop there are new guys just starting nearing 40 i decided time to stop the rot lose the gut and get in shape it did nt take to many comments like oh you ve put some weight on or you look like your dad. to get me that acted like an invitation to start bashing the weights .. all the best with your future goals..