is 31 too old to even bother??

[Zanzibar]

I was wondering if in my thirties I will just lose energy no matter what I do. Is it even possible for me to be in better shape now than I was at eighteen? (I was in no spectacular shape then anyway) I would like to know just how much of a losing battle I would be fighting if I start working out now. Is real muscle weight gain feasable??
thanks

[gcs118]

Of course it isn't, you're still young anyways. You just need to be dedicated to see increases and gains. Learn about weight lifting, decide on your goals, and create a plan. You won't be disappointed.

[Gilogy]

Lose of energy is not because of age but rather because of lifestyle. I know some elderly people who seam to have more energy than me. I believe it is because they are always on the go. In the garden - to the store - whatever, they keep moving. The people who work behind a desk all day, then go home to eat dinner and watch TV and go to bed -- are guaranteed to lose energy for much of anything over time.

Its never too late to start doing something about it. I was in decent shape when I was 18 -- I was obese at 40 -- I'll be in the best shape of my life at about 47.

You have to make a conscious decision about what you want -- research what it will take -- then do it. Its not as hard as it sounds, it takes patience, and its worth it.

[Cort]

Not at all, you should take a look at cursor's before and afters, and he's in his 50's.

[Lady C]

Originally Posted by Cort

Not at all, you should take a look at cursor's before and afters, and he's in his 50's.

You beat me to it Cort! psst I'm no spring chicken either!

[CF-OC_gal]

Originally Posted by Zanzibar

I was wondering if in my thirties I will just lose energy no matter what I do. Is it even possible for me to be in better shape now than I was at eighteen? (I was in no spectacular shape then anyway) I would like to know just how much of a losing battle I would be fighting if I start working out now. Is real muscle weight gain feasable??
thanks

Anything is possible but don't rule out a medical condition that needs attention as the cause of your loss of energy. Something as simple as low iron for instance will do it and will cause mood swings too!

Being fit will make you feel better and if you have no health probelms it will make you feel great!

The only thing you gain by starting now is time to work at it. It's a numbers game. The more years you stay fit and active the more you will benefit from it further down the road.

Increases in strength and lean muscle tissue are possible at any age. Just look at the research they do on aging at Tuft's University.

[cursor]

Originally Posted by Zanzibar

Is real muscle weight gain feasable ... in my thirties??

Most probably, yes ... and well beyond. There are many who (re)find quality fitness beyond the ripe old age of thirty. Clarence Bass is still lifting at 65 (started at just 15). He still squats twice his body weight. You can read an interview that I did with him here.

Improve your eating habits and increase your physical activity. If you want to know more precisely what is necessary, hang out here at DiscussFitness.com and learn a thing or two. :

[Bronco]

Originally Posted by Zanzibar

I was wondering if in my thirties I will just lose energy no matter what I do. Is it even possible for me to be in better shape now than I was at eighteen? (I was in no spectacular shape then anyway) I would like to know just how much of a losing battle I would be fighting if I start working out now. Is real muscle weight gain feasable??
thanks

It's proven that men who start in their 50's gain muscle and also improve bone density.

If you go about it the right way you can accomplish a lot to be proud of.

[Klinger]

Go for it - your age is strictly mental. I lift regularly at 34, so hit that iron, junior!

[Lift2Live]

Junior, hehe. I'm 29, and while that's not old by any stretch of the imagination, it's not far from your 31 and only now have I just started back to lifting after a long break. I am no Clarence Bass (someday i hope ), but the muscle is building and in no way is it futile. Go about it the proper way and it doesn't matter what age you are, as the rest have expounded.

[Zanzibar]

Ok, I'll give it a go. we shall see if I have the power to commit to any program. I am certainly impressed by Cursor's pictures. I hope to find within myself just a portion of the dedication that he must have. Thank you everyone that posted, I am glad the consensus says to go for it. I will read more posts on workout advice and get going on it tomorrow morning.

[Vas85]

Originally Posted by Zanzibar

I was wondering if in my thirties I will just lose energy no matter what I do. Is it even possible for me to be in better shape now than I was at eighteen? (I was in no spectacular shape then anyway) I would like to know just how much of a losing battle I would be fighting if I start working out now. Is real muscle weight gain feasable??
thanks

Dude you can achieve anything you set your mind to. Your only 31 7 years after the peak of 24 so what are you kidding yourself not to start training. Eat right Train hard and you will be feeling younger than you have ever felt before!.

It is never too late to get into training and conditioning your body.

All i can say is start , dont stop its all about the MIND you seem to give into yourself by saying that you think youll have less energy. That is utter nonsense just train and you will see how much younger you will feel it cuts off a few years biologically from those that train to those who dont!

[mesomorph]

Mate, I'm 48 and started training with weights seriously approx 4 yrs ago. Read everything I could about building muscle (coming from an endurance background) and committed to a program not expecting much because "I'm not as young as I used to be!" Man! I'm bigger, stronger than I was in my 20s and feel alot healthier (diet). Friends, relatives have commented on my transformation and are now keenly seeking my "secrets". My body, in comparison to my peers, is light yrs ahead. Zanzibar mate there is NO downside. Physiologically and chemically speaking your body will revert, in many ways, to that expected of a much younger male. I guarentee no regrets.

[.V.]

Zanzibar, at age 34 I was almost a cripple - I started doing what I was able and increasing it a little bit at a time. Now I am the most fit I have ever been in my entire life at age 35. No, at your age it is not too late. Do what you can and then what you can do will get to be more and more. There is a great deal of good advice to be found here. I owe a lot to this site. Read, search, learn - and you can do well.

Best of luck.

[MrsRiley]

well you're not getting any younger so now is as good a time as ever to get started!!