I have come to the conclusion that there are other things that I want to do instead of training. I have been enjoying time with my family and eating whatever I want and it has been a lot of fun being "normal." So, I decided not to train until Monday, January 6th.
I know the headline was a lot like those of Fox News but it works. See, the job that I am paid to do -- and a HUGE salary at that -- is to inveigle the reader past the headline or title. I didn't necessarily "lie," though I did manipulate or entice with the headline. It's an art; don't hate my deftness.
My point is that I trained a few times this week to basically get me through the rest of my vacation. I enjoyed the training but it is an hour one way to the gym and I would rather spend those 2 hours -- and another hour or so training -- with my kids who have all come to Michigan to spend the holidays with family. It may cut into my #beastmodeness but I don't give a shit what anyone thinks outside of my family right now while spending time with them. Plus, I don't see my parents, my brother and 3 of my 4 kids until at least another 6-8 months. It's a matter of priorities and training took a backseat.
I did enough training to allow me to get back at it on Monday without crippling myself with soreness for the next 3 weeks. My condition won't slide much without being on my diet plan because I eat less calories eating off-plan than I do having my usual high-carb days so this time is basically in limbo; I don't progress but I don't regress, either. I have a big year in front of me and in the big picture, these last 12 days aren't going to matter much. They did matter in seeing my family, though.
Though I have had a great time here in Michigan, I am looking forward to getting back home and getting back to the grind. Admittedly, I miss my cats but you can kiss my ass if you think that's funny because I'm serious. Those little shits are awesome and I love them to death. Pathetic in my old age? I accept that.
I turn 50 in March and I am approaching this year as my best bodybuilding year, yet. I plan to be in my best shape, ever, and I will post the pictures and details to prove it so that I don't get eyerolls for being like a lot of older guys who pretend they are still as good as they were when they were younger. I will let everyone else be the judge.
Because I turn 50 in March, my bodybuilding "distraction" will hopefully allow me to not curl up in the fetal position in the back of a closet with a gun in my mouth. You might laugh but when you get to be 50 and don't feel or act like it, the milestone is unnerving. I know, I know, there are any ways I could approach it but the fact is that I am 50 fucking years old and no matter what anyone says to me, it doesn't change that. If you aren't yet 50, I can't explain it to you but you will know and feel it one day, too.
I hope everyone has a great 2020 as I plan to do the same. I hope it pans out as I think it will and I hope you all reach your goals in 2020, as well.
Great article, and it makes a point that so many in the industry miss: there are SO many more important things outside of training, diet and #gainz. I’m not saying that training is not important to an individual, but oftentimes people do a poor job of prioritizing what’s really important, especially when not in contest prep. Someday when we approach the end of our lives, are our last words going to be “I..,,.,,missed......a.....meal....”, right before our eyes close forever? Morbid thought, yes, but it’s how some are living their lives now, and no one really knows when it will be there last day.
I get the whole turning 50 thing. I’ll turn 50 in 10 days. I, too, want to look great at 50, and thanks to you I’m well on my way! Does it freak me out a bit? Yes. But hey, consider the alternative to not getting older. Not to be corny, but I truly consider each day a blessing. I love training, diet, and the whole bodybuilder lifestyle, but I love my wife, 4 kids and even my pets, more than anything. So, shame on me for not being hardcore, but my life will be full of happiness, even outside of the gym!