An observation

Question
Martial
I am interested in what you do to keep in shape.
I am a 50 year old guy, weekend jock, mostly golf, beer league hockey and soccer.
Its tough to keep my weight down (its genetic my Dad and uncles are big boys and my daughter is heavy), but I dont smoke and I watch what I eat.
Most importantly I keep my cardio level up.
I noticed something recently and would appreciate your opinion.
As I young guy in my teens and twenties I did the old RCAF 5BX plan to keep in shape-old fashioned callistentics.
Then I got into the Weider bodybuilding thing and hit the weights. Put on a lot of muscle.
We moved into a condo so I gave away the weights and I  dusted off the old RCAF pamphlet and got back into it.
Although I havent lost any weight, I have noticed I am a bit quicker and more flexible than before when I was just hitting the weights.
Question: Are the old exercises (windmills, situps, supermen, etc) better for sports performance,or at least hockey, than getting big and musclebound with weights? I was stretching while lifting, but am more flexible now.
Thanks!

Answer
Hey Bud!!

LOL!  I just turned 50 this year also!!  It doesn't get easier eh?

Just staying active any way you can is a huge start.   It's tempting to become a couch potato watching our favorite sports, let alone any of the mind numbing programs!

At the very least we gotta being doing 'something' that makes us breathe a bit heavier than normal for at least 5 times a week for no less than 30 minutes a day...  THAT WOULD BE THE MINIMUM!  Staying away from the "carb" foods is another - potatoes, bread, pastas, sugar, is not good for our aging bodies.  Stay with the fresh (organic) fruits, vegetables and cold water fish as much as we can.

If want "more" - then yes - good old calisthenics, (mini trampolines are also very good) and high rep light weights are BEST!   It keeps the blood flowing, our body flexible, our mind sharp and the bones strong.   

Getting in our hockey, golf, soccer and anything that can get us laughing and thinking and competing a bit, whenever we can is great for the heart and our soul...   after all - if we can't enjoy BEING on this planet - what would the purpose of it all really be!

So let's keep moving my friend...  have as much fun as we can and enjoy the ride.   Aging may be without choice, but growing "old" is optional...   As my dad always use to say - AGE is a matter of the mind...  and if you don't pay no mind to it, it won't matter!

Cheers!

GOOD LUCK WITH THE PUCK!

Martial