Your statement: “We need to have patience with those around us who don’t understand what we’re trying to do and try to explain our actions while not imposing our views.” is sooooo important. Too often, people tend to preach… = not good.

For the past few years I’ve been ‘serious’ about “getting fit”…I turned 60 this summer. Over the past year I’ve dropped 20 lbs of fat and gotten stronger than I’ve ever been. Still need to lean out more and get “fitter”, but it’s an ongoing process and getting there is the “fun” part!

You’re never too old to work on getting to “the better you that you want to become.”

I absolutely love your site! You’re posts are always right on target! Keep up the terrific work!

@ Ron: yes, appearance is not an end in itself, or rather, not an end by any means possible. It worries me that routes like cosmetic surgery are becoming ever more socially acceptable and gene ‘therapy’ for aesthetic purposes can’t be far off (if it’s not here already).

@ Rolfe: sounds like a sensible approach. I find the whole food thing difficult, although I’m better at eating well than I used to be.

I found the definition of orthorexia quite vague, perhaps left so on purpose by the good doctor. I eat what I do for good reasons, and becouse it is tasty. I might be a case of orthorexia, but I think I am handling it gracefully. If I did not, I dont think I would realise anyway, so why worry

What I do know is that my diet have fixed some minor ailments I had. It is also tasty so I dont have to struggle to keep to it. Sometimes I buy a choclate, I have a sweet thooth, but it rarely taste as good as I remember. Quite the opposite in fact (perhaps a sign of orthorexia). Perhaps choclate and sugary stuff is an aquired taste, much like whisky.
So far the diet I choose have delivered on its promises. Not just on fat percentage, but more importantly on my health, concentration and energy levels. My mood also seems better but that is very hard to quantify. You can call me an orthorexian, but I have become a firm believer in the importance of the right diet.
I dont look much in the mirror. I am what I am. Performance is much more important. However I notice if my clothes suddenly begin to become loose or tight. We all know what that means and I take corrective action on diet/lifestyle. On the same topic, finding clothes can be a chore without custom tailoring. Buing a new suit always ends up with tailoring or mixing jackets and trousers from different sizes. That is one downside to doing strength training.

Good post Gub!

Appearance does matter but it’s more an indicator of a successful approach than an end in itself. If you’ve got things dialed in that will be reflected in how you look. No matter how much society pushes the idea of being overweight as being “okay” because the masses are fat; or pushed starved weakling models as being “ideal” neither is healthy or good from a health perspective. Train and eat well and your body will reflect the wisdom of your decision and provide beneficial rewards in terms of your appearance. And that external reward is really an external reflection of inner health and beauty. (I won’t go any further here as I touched a lot on this in my last post).

Despite being in a pretty good spot in terms of my approach to training, diet, and life, a couple of things struck me about my own journey. I made some less than optimal diversions in my journey to where I am today. Yes, I screwed up!

First there was orthorexia. I had not heard that term before, but it sure described me 15 years ago. After suffering some severe physical issues as the result of a small brain tumor (which was successfully treated–no worries!) I ended up with orthorexia. I grew out of it—I’m I’m not sure how—but I did (I’ll have to ponder that). I’ve got a more balanced approach to things. I eat mostly eat on plan—which for me is lean meat, some protein powder or eggs, lots veggies, various nuts, and a few noodles and sprouted bread here and there). But that’s out of taste not “because I have to” and I eat pizza, pies, whatever if it strikes me as something I want from time to time.

About three years ago I started having the weirdest experiences. I’d find those things I used to love and crave (certain kinds of “junk food”) just didn’t appeal to me. For example, I went for a chicken burger and fries (chips) at my favorite place (which I hadn’t been to in 18 months) and found the fries very unappealing. They were the same tasting as ever–in fact, these are the best fries I’d had anywhere! But I only ate about a 1/3 of them. Why? I was just so into the chicken burger! It was just “plain” but top quality meat perfectly cooked on a fresh but very thin whole wheat bun with some fresh lettuce, a little fresh mayo, and some ketchup. (Damn, I’m getting hungry!) I should have gotten two of those and skipped the fries! Then again, there was this fresh thin crust pizza baked for 90 seconds in a wood oven with fresh pine nuts and pesto, not greasy, with just a small amount of cheese that I had two weeks ago—of my was that good! Or my wife’s homemade apple pie….it’s just how things strike me. (Maybe I’m just picky!?)

All I can say is that it’s weird, but it’s not a bad thing. I take an “eat and let eat” view of the world now–I didn’t get to where I am without screwing up and going a bit off the wall. Why should I judge others? They’ll find their way on their own or they won’t just as I did. I do what I do and they can see the results. If they ask why I do what I do, or how I got to look the way I did (it happens), I’m quietly helpful and share with them as much as they’d like to know. I don’t evangelize. I have enough to worry about managing my life and my own issues let alone tell others how to live their lives.

During the orthorexia phase I was in the “training for “size” phase as well. I was always skinny (like 140 pounds skinny at 5’11″) and once I learned how to train I was into adding “size”. Strength went with it, but size was the focus. After being exposed to some new ideas (our mutual buddy Chip; Chad Waterbury, Dan John, and many others) I realized I like performance training (strength, functional ability) much more than “size” and I found it more rewarding. That path has left me about 15-20 pounds under where I was in my “size” days (I’m now about 185-190 pounds) but I’m much fitter, much stronger, and much leaner. I have a “train and let train” attitude. I don’t fault the bodybuilders (size guys) or fitness gals. I admire their dedication, drive, and focus—which is nothing short of amazing and inspiring! (I’ve seen what some of my gym friends go through for a show—it’s brutal and requires unbelievable discipline and drive—and I respect and admire that.) I don’t fault the runners or anyone else. It’s not what I want to do, but that’s okay. I share the desire to be the best according to my own goals–and I have a drive to do that just as they do. So we share common ground: goals, drive, dedication, focus. I think that’s a healthy way to look at things.

Now I’m not going to beat myself up over either of these side-tracks I took. I’m found what works for me, accepted my “failure” as learning experiences and moved on. And I have no need to force my new found “view” of allowing many “views” on others. You put it best when you said, “There’s also a need to accept the learning process. You probably won’t get it right first time and there’s no reason why you must. What else comes that easily in life? So learn, use feedback, keep an open mind and try things out. Over time you find out what works for you, and those things gradually become habits and are embedded into your life.” Those are powerful words not only for working to be “in shape” but they also form a much larger philosophy of life that I believe is healthy, productive, and wise.