This is exactly happening to me. I am fitter, stronger, leaner and I feel way better than I was in my early twenties. I am almost 37 now. And I was a performance machine that time. I was competitively racing on international level in rowing.
Rowing being one of the hardest physical sports out there on competitive level, I trained and trained and trained physically every day – weights, running, erging, morning, evening, intervals, brutal winter physical preparation and this roller coaster wasn’t stopping.
So why am I stronger, fitter, leaner with way more energy levels now 17 years later? Two reasons.
1. Diet
My diet was horrible that time. It makes me sick to even think about it. Sweets, candy bars, sodas, breads, huge amount of pasta, sugar everywhere, processed foods, cinnamon rolls, baked goods. After all, this was recommended by coaches and it kind of was a common sense that time. And we all believed it. Yes, sugar is the best source of energy, they would say. Sure, you should have some protein, but make sure you eat lots of carb and sugar. You are performance athlete! You need energy!
Seventeen years later, I don’t eat any sugary and baked crap. My body biochemistry works as it should. My time running a mile or swimming 100 free is better than it was ever before (just few not as important examples).
2. Rest and physical load ballance
It was a macho time, big time! I remember our practices were hard every day. We were pushing our bodies to the limit every day. And whoever couldn’t make it was considered weak. You were supposed to push through, even if your body was telling you to stop and rest. You can feel it, if your body wants you to slow down. Well, that feeling had to be ignored in our physical preparation. That was the way of an athlete in our group.
17 years later, I work out maybe 30 min. – 1 hour every day. I make sure I have easy workouts too, very easy. And when I feel tired I take 3 days off and don’t do anything physically at all. Or I just do something fun like play tennis or go surfing. And than I take another 3 days off from exercise.
I am way stronger than I was in my twenties. I can do more pull ups, more push ups, I am faster, my endurance is better, I have better memory, my overall mental performance is higher, I never get tired in my days.
Rest/load balance without sugar and crappy diet will change your life. I thing you should give that kind of lifestyle a good spanking try!
You have to listen to your body. If its telling you to slow down, slow down. Don’t push it everyday. Exercise works only when it’s balanced with physical rest. Your body needs time to rebuild itself, to recover.
This however doesn’t mean, you should rest all the time. When it’s time and your body is ready and recovered, it’s time to push it to its limits again.
Be your own intelligent coach
Intelligent coach watches his performers very closely and with very intelligent and sensitive eye. She is constantly looking and searching for signs of overtraining and acts accordingly. Intelligent coach knows that often less is more.
I want you too, to watch yourself closely. Are you tired today? Did you work out hard yesterday? Do you feel guilty, because you will miss your workout. What would intelligent coach tell you? Take a rest buddy and give yourself an easy day. And you’ll be ready to push hard soon again.
If you want to be fitter, leaner, stronger and feel better many year after your twenties, give these two a try. Avoid sweet and processed stuff and give your body enough rest after your workouts. Your life will change to the better forever. You already paid your dues in your twenties. I did! But now I know a holly grail of perfect performance. And so do you.