Another 12 week challenge complete! I managed to drop 12 pounds and 3.5% body fat in 12 weeks. This year is especially important because it’s “The Year of the Shoulder” I’m 60 and I’m finally going to bite the bullet and get that long delayed shoulder operation. I’m going in fit and ready for a strong recovery. Here’s me at 140 pounds and 8.5% body fat! Wooohooo!
Okay people, how’s it going? We are well into 2019 and I hope you’ve made some positive changes to your fitness routine and diet. If you’re like me, the last two months of the year are not the best for that! So now we are two months into this year, we are back on track, right? I started with a plan and a mission. To get in the best shape of my life! I’m living now in my 61st year and I’m calling it “The Year of the Shoulder”. We’ll get to that another time.
As of January 2nd, I cut out the sugar and the starchy carbs that I lived on in December. I have worked out almost every day and cut back on coffee. (Now I just have one giant cup, instead of four).
The result is 2.5% reduction in body fat and a 12 pound weight-loss. More importantly I feel 200% better. I’m good at this. As a matter of fact I am somewhat of a fitness icon. A legend in my own mind. Seriously, I know how it works amd I’m willing to help you gain the knowledge you need to be a fitness icon too. Please don’t hesitate to laugh.
So, it’s that time of year again. You might think I mean New Year’s resolutions, but I don’t. It’s the time of year for me when I am reminded of why I do what I do. I am a fitness professional. That means my life is about fitness. Mine and the people I am fortunate enough to work with. I eat clean and exercise every day for myself and for them. It makes me feel good and I am a power of example to those I encounter every day, whether I am training them or just talking in the elevator. I have been at it for almost 30 years. That means, I’m no spring chicken, if you know what I mean. Hmmm, chicken. I’m hungry. Anyway, at 60 years old, I am feeling as if I’ve been around for a while, I have. I know how to stay in shape. I know how to get out of shape. Listen closely, here it comes.
I eat clean and exercise every day. Unless I don’t. Around the end of the year, every year I allow myself to eat food that I enjoy eating, but that makes me feel less than stellar. In other words, around the holidays, I eat junk!! I usually start in November and from then until the end of the year, I go on and off of my regularly healthy diet and I eat pumpkin pie, ice cream, cookies, pastries and an assortment of sugary, sweet “just about anythings”. By the time January first rolls around, by the way, can you believe it’s 2019? I can, it was 2018 all year, I am ready for it! By the end of the year, I am sick of it! I wonder how people eat like this all of the time. I feel sick! Literally, ill. No wonder people are overweight and unhealthy. Everyone knows that eating right and exercising is good for you, but it’s challenging stick with it. Well, in our media driven society where the hot body is always dangled in front of us, and presented as the optimal version of the “us”, we should strive for, accompanied with a constant barrage of ads for food, snacks, and instant gratification, of course it’s hard! We are fed a huge pile of dung and expected to create a beautiful, sweet smelling work of art! How can we cut through the muck we live in and learn to create a version of “us” that feels good and is sustainable? IT’S NOT AS HARD AS YOU THINK! As a matter of fact, it’s not hard at all. It just takes a willingness to take things “one at a time”, and an ability to be honest with yourself.
If you can be honest with yourself about yourself, you will be a lot better off. I can’t tell you how many times someone has said to me “I just don’t have time to exercise.” That is like saying, “I don’t have time to stop for gas!” You don’t have time not to. Everyone wants to look and feel good, right? Well, just like fueling your car, you have to fuel your body. Go ahead and put sugar in your car’s gas tank and see what happens. DON’T DO IT! I don’t want to be responsible for anyone ruining their car. Google it and see what happens. You must treat your body like it was an expensive vehicle, because that’s exactly what it is.
So, the answers are simple ones. Eat clean. Exercise regularly. That’s it. If you really don’t know how to do this on your own, then reach out to someone who does. I am a fitness professional. It’s what I do. I know the answers. I have included some pictures of me taken at the end of the year when I am at my “less than stellar” self. Remember, I am 60. No excuses. My intention is to start here and see just how much better I can get in the first three months of this year. I know how to do it, now I want to show you how. Just call, text or email me if you want to join the challenge. It’s going to be fun!
60 Is The New Sexy! Well, that’s what I’ve been telling myself all year. It’s a good example of my approach to life. I want to lean into it, rather than fear it.
Today is the 60th anniversary of my birth. That’s right, I have now been alive for 60 years. Man, I am amazing! Wooohoooo!
I spent a good part of my life fearing things. Basically everything! That makes for a rough road! As a result of getting sober in 1979 I have a new lease on life. Aside from a four year relapse in the early 2000’s I have spent most of my adult life working on a change of attitude.
Now, I like to live in the present moment. It makes life so much easier but not only that, it’s more fun! So, one day at a time, I have managed to stay alive for all of these 60 years and for that I am grateful.
All of that being said, I think staying physically fit is so important to enjoying life. I don’t fear aging, rather I look forward to it. There is always something new to learn. I am wise because of my age. I am experienced because of my age. I am leaning into 60 because I know I will continue to get better with time.
How’s that for sexy!
Does fitness elude you? Is it something always on the horizon but seemingly out of reach? Does it seem like it’s something others are able to do easily but you might never achieve? This article is for you!
I am a certified personal trainer in New York City. I have been at it for over 26 years and I am still working on being fit and healthy every day at the ripe new age of 59! I’ll show you my pic if you’ll show me yours. At 59 I’m still fighting the fight to keep in shape and I will admit its not easy. But I am winning the battle because I think of fitness as a lifestyle. In order to be fit and stay fit I must have a plan. An exercise plan and a nutrition plan. I also have a very positive attitude that I have cultivated over the years. None of this came naturally to me. I was addicted to alcohol and drugs for many years as a teenager and young adult. I got sober and lived a better life for 20 years until my relapse. After 4 years binging on alcohol and drugs in my early forties, I got sober again.
I have been back on a healthy lifestyle now for almost 14 years and I know now that living a healthy life is a lot easier than living in an unhealthy one. I have taken my addictions and used them to my advantage. I eat food that I cook every day. I exercise almost every day and I surround myself with people who support that kind of lifestyle. I don’t think I would be able to do it alone. And I certainly couldn’t do it if I was hanging around people who were still partying and eating unhealthy every day.
I believe we need a support system. It works with addictions of all kinds, so why wouldn’t it work with a positive lifestyle? It does. So, invest in yourself and hire a personal trainer to help guide you through the maze of exercise and nutrition chaos that seems to elude you on your own. We are out here waiting to become part of your nutrition exercise support system.
I provide healthy eating tips and practical training advice for real people who want real fitness. I’m Jim Fantone and I’m a recovering alcoholic.
140 lbs. 8.5% body fat
Soooo, here I am again with “60 is the New Sexy” Why? Because I am a positive thinking person who knows how important attitude is to health and fitness. I hear many people moaning about getting older and I like to take the opposite approach. I look forward to getting older!! Wooohooo!!! I am just choosing to look at life as a beautiful experience that includes all of its ups and downs, ins and outs along with its beautiful potential to learn and grow.
I am an evolving human being. All that means is I am willing to learn and grow. My mind is not made up. I am open to change. I like change. Change is good. TMI?
So I believe that 60 is the new sexy! Older than me? How about, “70 is Heavenly?”
Or, “80 is great-y” You get the point, right.
We all know by now that abs are created in the kitchen, not the gym. So don’t over-do it this year living it up on stuffing and pie. Or if your like me, and you wait all year to eat pumpkin pie, then I say live it up for the holiday and get back on the plan right away! Oh yeah and try working out every day!
Abs are created in the kitchen!
Lean-ing Into 60!
Fantone Fitness 