The flailing of a fish out of water....

[Baldiewonkanobi]

Well its been a good two years since I last touched a piece of gym equipment. I had a flu shot reaction that damn near killed me. My arthritis got a LOT worse, my asthma had me struggling to climb stairs, had coughing spells so severe I would almost pass out, I had puffy ankle edema, severe adult acne, dropping testosterone despite HRT, had to double my BP meds, and tired all the time. I was in a long term inflammatory state. Wife Jennifer got me to a lung Doc. New state of the art meds and time had me breathing well again. Also new care for the skin and doubled the Test. Now 2 years later I hike most every day for up to 6 miles at 7,000' elevation and feel new again. 20 pounds lighter also helps my joints and breathing. I was concerned that my 74 year old skin was turkey skin krinkly missing the former muscle beneath....no upper body strength. None, nadda, zip.

So....

I started with strict form push ups. First day one, second day two...on and on. I got to 22 two days ago then fell back to 21 yesterday....CHIT!! So my new goal is 10X3 a day then increase to 11...you got it. My upper body has transformed already. Goal is 100 per day by years end.

Oh.....diet

No more than 100gm protein per day...74 year old kidneys on board. My calories are about half of what they were two years ago. I am looking for 180 pounds by end of the year. I was 215 when I got sick.

There you have it. What I miss most about the gym is the camaraderie. Happy to peek in on you gents...keep pushin!!

[swingslammer]

Baldie...you can take the Bodybuilder out of the gym, but you can't take the gym out of his heart. Or something like that? Glad you are still hanging around a bit.

[Granite-Dawg]

You are an inspiration sir. Keep at it always like reading your posts!!

[Hammerfit]

Glad to hear from you old friend

[mrky03]

Good to hear you're doing well Baldie!

[Curt James]

Always a great read. Thank you for posting, Bill.

[Hoss06]

Congrats on the turn around, man!

[Sandpig]

Glad to see you're doing well Bill.

Keep kicking ass!

[Baldiewonkanobi]

Thanks :)

[Mac]

Thanks :)

Hope you're feeling some endorphins too!

[masterschamp]

Great to hear from you, Bill......miss you in here

[Baldiewonkanobi]

Enjoyed watching the live NPC Masters Nationals on another board. Speed of reporting and pics was amazing. Missed Dave's commentary.

I had fun placing my 2010 Nationals pics alongside this years Pro Card winner. Hmmmmmm. I will reserve comment except to say Peter Finch would have blown him away. Nuff of that.

I got my push ups to 80 yesterday. Soreass shoulders. Oooops frorgot to speak BB...sore delts. Taking the day off. Had neighbors over for brunch today on back patio beneath the Aspen trees and a breakfast fit for a king. Jennifer is the consummate cook/hostess. Spectacular weather here on the hill. Dry and 86, Monsoons will return mid week. We can never get enough rain in our thirsty forest.

[weezer]

Welcome back, let's show the youngins how it's done !

[Baldiewonkanobi]

Far from a BB physique these days. What glutes I had from all the reverse hacks has fallen off....GONE. My belly is flat, pecs pronounced, shoulders wide, posture erect and straight and arms are vascular. Push ups now to 100 a day.

I take my Doc recommended HRT and one Animal Pak plus hyaluronic acid complex for the joints. Still keeping the protein on the 100gm or less protocol for life extension.

[rcp1936]

Glad to see you are at least trying to get the muscle toning type workouts in
Always wondered why you gave them up
I could see why the hard core workouts and diet went bye bye
I turned 78 in June and still alternate days of jogging or biking with working out at LA Fitness with machines and weights
It can be done as long as you don't mind being around the young studs that look so good and use twice as much weight