A year and a half after "70 lbs. down. Now I can rant about obnoxious fitness fanatics"...

[bhikkhu]

33. Awesome post, and congratulations!

I've seen too many people throw in the towel on physical expectations and activity. 40 isn't old - its not even halfway through a good life. I had been an avid cyclist myself when younger, and when I hit 40 I took a good look at things and decided I'd either have to change, or begin the downward slide into age and infirmity. I quit smoking and drinking and began cycling to work, then cycling on the weekends, then riding with the local gang, then competing. It was great fun, and its a great feeling to be able to keep up with the younger guys, beat them on occasion, and (the best, really) know that the other guys have to work hard to push themselves ahead of me on the road. In a race it was never so much about winning as knowing that my being there made sure the race and the effort was real for the winners.

Currently I have a new job, much more physically and mentally demanding, and probably the best one I've had in my life. Cycling is by the wayside at the moment, but I've carried in a level of fitness that lets me work hard and consistently and enjoy it. 49 now, and I'm looking forward to putting in a few hard years and getting set-up for a healthy retirement, and its all good.