Volume 4 Episode 2 – What’s Been Going On

I can’t believe it has been several months since we published “Let’s Go Sledding”.  And I don’t think that was a podcast.  In any event, that was about the purchase of a weight sled that I can either push or pull across the driveway. 

Today’s podcast is about the one simple reason you should do some form of weight training – leg strength.

In April, I lost my dad.  He was 87 years old and had bone cancer.  He claims, and the doctors say he was lying, that he never felt any pain but the last time I saw him during the first week in April, he was in obvious pain when anyone tried to help him sit up or move from the bed to a wheelchair.  In January he had fallen and was hospitalized for several days.  It was decided he should go to a nursing home upon his release for physical therapy to rebuild his leg strength and then he could go home.  But, I think we all knew he was never going home.  During that whole time between January and his funeral and continuing on until today I blame one thing for his rapid decline.  A reclining lounge chair.  He spent most of the past three years sitting in that chair watching television.  Each day his leg strength lessened and his balance worsened.   

I have come to the conclusion you must keep leg strength as you get into your older years.  The more you “sit and relax” the more you will sit and tire easily when physically challenged.

I have been pretty regular with my strength training.  I stick to the basic barbell stuff: bench press; standing shoulder press; low shoulder back squats; deadlifts; and hang cleans.  I supplement them with upright rows, shrugs and bicep curls.  Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  On Tuesday and Thursday I try to do some dedicated cardio like sled push; slam ball; kettle bell swings; box step-ups and heavy bag boxing. 

This weekend I helped one of my sons tear out and dispose of a yard full of artificial grass.  The rolls were heavy and the heat and humidity high.  I wasn’t really blowing throw the process but I wasn’t dogging it either.  I’m 59 years old and 332 pounds.  I’m convinced my strength training and cardio supplements got me through that morning. 

I keep a photo of my Dad on my work bench.  The work bench is in the garage where I strength train.  It reminds me, every day, of how much I miss him and how much I need to continue to get under that bar.