Just back from the gym. I am so happy and grateful that God gives me the opportunity to work out regularly. My goal is to get and remain fit and healthy. It's part of my philosophy of life. Lifting is primarily a mental game. I get mental clarity every time I perform a set. The gym is a place I go to clear my head and emotions. A gym session is always amazing. There's no greater reward than to see your progress.
Building lean muscle will also speed up your metabolism and your body will burn more calories at rest. Lifting is a huge challenge to me because of the level of mindfulness it requires. When I'm lifting I'm not thinking about anything else except the muscles I'm using to lift the weight.
At 70, I need to stay as healthy and as mobile as possible regardless of my chronological age. More muscle improves your immune system. It strengthens bones and helps prevent injuries. It's odd, but if I miss a session of weight training I start feeling weird. Like something in my life is missing. I think I'm becoming a lifting fanatic -- but what's new? I've been fanatical about Bible reading, teaching, and missions all of my adult life. I just have to remember that Rome wasn't built in a day. Strive for consistency and believe me, you will go far. The best part is, anyone can do it. Everyone is in control of their own fitness. I don't lift heavy (I can't at my age) but enough. I don't worship weight training. But I do enjoy it. I started lifting primarily for strength as a mountaineer. But I also do it for stress management, health, and -- let's not kid ourselves -- the aesthetics. Doing hard work demands and builds discipline. Every workout requires fortitude, perseverance, grit, goal-orientation, pain tolerance, and a whole host of challenges both mentally and physically. Workouts are hard but I never feel bad at the end of one. Tired, yes. Humbled, most certainly. But never bad.
Students: there are NO SHORTCUTS in life to becoming a strong, capable, and resilient human being. I would like to shout this from the rooftops!