What fitness levels can be expected turning 30?

[Justis]

Can one really go from being completely out of shape to having a strong, fit body once you are in your thirties. I'm talking like not really working out since high school, but now picking it up in my 30's. Can I really hope to achieve much? I mean, I know there are certain goals that will probably not be obtained, but I would like some insight on what to expect. Is it still possible to really build muscle or am I better off just going for being fit? I'm considering starting a new fitness goal, but I don't want to waste my time on reaching for something that cannot be achieved...............and I don't want to go vegan I recently turned 30, and I kinda feel like I missed the boat on achieving the body that I would like to have in my life. Should I lower my expectations?

Justis

[Keith]

It takes a while, but absolutely you can hope to achieve much.

Seriously, don't think in terms of "I don't want to waste my time on reaching for something that cannot be achieved" - going for it is the only way to find out what can be achieved.

[JohnnyJimJams]

Step up to the plate Justis.

Give it a shot and fail. Lots. Then get up dust off, learn some more and do it again.

Exercise feels great (even while you are doing it) after you spend a few weeks getting all those toxins out of your body.

When I turned 30, I was 100kg, which was the biggest I'd ever been. I have lost 15kg, and am now spending at least a year trying to get buff.

Get a plan, and get started mate.

[skinnyninja]

Agreed.

I'm 31 years old and I'm up to running 7 miles three times a week. Also doing some light weight training on the off days.

Just started when I was about 29. Quit smoking back then too.

Glad to be on a path of personal growth....

[dor]

Originally Posted by Justis

Can one really go from being completely out of shape to having a strong, fit body once you are in your thirties. I'm talking like not really working out since high school, but now picking it up in my 30's. Can I really hope to achieve much? I mean, I know there are certain goals that will probably not be obtained, but I would like some insight on what to expect. Is it still possible to really build muscle or am I better off just going for being fit? I'm considering starting a new fitness goal, but I don't want to waste my time on reaching for something that cannot be achieved...............and I don't want to go vegan I recently turned 30, and I kinda feel like I missed the boat on achieving the body that I would like to have in my life. Should I lower my expectations?

Justis

lower them, I think you should raise them. strength and endurance tend to increase in your thirties-
al oerter, for example was breaking world records in his thirties and even past 40
Al Oerter - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
considering improvements in nutrional information, excercise routines i would say you should expect to be in better shape than high school

[Keith]

Dave (Fioravanti) from Season 1 of the Biggest loser was 39 years old and 250 lbs.

Before: http://www.realitytvworld.com/images/dbpeople/271.jpg

After: http://www.reelmanagement.com/pages/...fioravanti.jpg

I believe the (purely weightloss-based) format of the show worked against him, because he put on so much muscle over the course of the show.

[Justis]

I just want to thank everyone that has replied so far for your support and encouragement. I'll continue to carry on with my challenge of getting stronger, and more fit in 2007.

Thanks Again,

Justis

[John Hill]

Absolutely you can achieve the body of your dreams no matter how skinny, fat or out of shape you are right now and still do it way beyond your thirties. I have written numerous articles in the health and fitness section on my site about getting in shape and how to build muscle at any age plus much more training and exercise information.

Also check out the section on the subconscious mind explaining how the only barriers in your life are the ones you put up against yourself. I'm 36 and am in as good or better shape than at any time in my life. In our thirties we have decades of quality and fit life ahead of us. The site link is below.

Good luck with your goals.

John

[mkidd]

Originally Posted by Keith

Dave (Fioravanti) from Season 1 of the Biggest loser was 39 years old and 250 lbs.

Before: http://www.realitytvworld.com/images/dbpeople/271.jpg

After: http://www.reelmanagement.com/pages/...fioravanti.jpg

I believe the (purely weightloss-based) format of the show worked against him, because he put on so much muscle over the course of the show.

Keith, what did you mean? That he put on too much muscle and did not get lean enough and instead bulked up too much? Or that he put on too much muscle instead of balancing other goals such as nutrition and endurance etc.

I don't watch the show so I'm just curious/confused what you meant b/c I thought muscle weighs more than fat, and if the show is purely weightloss-based, I'd gather that he would not show as much weightloss as he might have without bulking up.

Thanks!

[Keith]

Originally Posted by mkidd

Keith, what did you mean? That he put on too much muscle and did not get lean enough and instead bulked up too much? Or that he put on too much muscle instead of balancing other goals such as nutrition and endurance etc.

I don't watch the show so I'm just curious/confused what you meant b/c I thought muscle weighs more than fat, and if the show is purely weightloss-based, I'd gather that he would not show as much weightloss as he might have without bulking up.

That's exactly it. He lost a lot of fat, but because he gained more muscle than the others his weightloss wasn't as high. I don't know if he pursued that goal or if his body just tended that way.

AFAIK, his nutrition etc. was much the same as everybody else.

IMO, they should be measuring body fat rather than (or as well as) weight loss.

[mkidd]

Thanks, and yes I agree they should measure BF and inches too. He looks great but I imagine if he slacks off he won't be much "smaller" than he was before.

[Acting Like Godot]

Originally Posted by Justis

Can one really go from being completely out of shape to having a strong, fit body once you are in your thirties.

I know someone who's been running marathons for 20 years.

He started around the age of 50. He's now in his early 70s. He took up running only in his late forties.

[Lola]

30 is just a number.

My 74 year old parents are visiting this week. Dad just came in from a "little run" - 5 miles. He did at least 10 every day for years (40's-50's-60's) but has a foot bothering him right now. Mom walks 2-3 miles every morning. They had a 12 mile bike ride earlier in the day...

Thanks to a love affair with beer in my 20's , I'm more fit at 46 than I've ever been - started getting my act together at 40.

You can do whatever you set your mind to, Justis!

[Conan Stevens]

Let's think about this. Stallone and Arnold have kept their physiques into their 60's as have many active people.

Saying you think you missed the boat sounds like you are lokoing for a cop out, an excuse to not start. Maybe it is too late to start being free and wealthy too?

Just get out and do it, improve your life in any and every way you can - you should have another 60 years left yet, why give up when you hit 30%

[Boreas]

There is no reason why you cannot be active and healthy at any age, it is just a cultural perception.

Look up people like Jack LaLanne if you need inspiration. One is never too old for excersize.