Staying fit after 35

Just a thought here….staying "fit" can be nothing but good. Staying marathon runner fit, or cross train contest fit all the time….I'm not sure.

But one thing I did see. When we did the PFI free dive course here in Belize, our instructor wasn't exactly the picture of a gym rat. A bit of a beer gut….not out of shape but.

However, he was doing dives all day. I saw one of 132 feet for over two minutes setting the anchor so we could do our 100 foot dives.

And to the contrary, I've scuba dived with body builder fit guys who sucked air so fast they couldn't do a 17 minute on the bottom (before safety stop), 110 foot dive before running low on air. Meaning, if you train too much, and get super fit, does your body get used to high levels of oxygen? To where you use more? I would guess putting on muscle mass that isn't used for diving is just adding oxygen consuming mass?

Interesting. Free diving is a different thing.

Freediving is VERY different than spearfishing freediving.

When you're a freediver you do one or two descents to your maximum depth and you're done.

When I spearfish i have to fight current, hop in a boat, swim around, fight a fish, etc, etc, etc...

I rather stay fit and have 5 seconds less bottom time.

Very good pondering Hank, I am with you Marco

Marco makes a good point. But make no mistake....at the depths he dives....90 feet or so, it's serious free diving. You...well, most people.... can't do those dives if you're swimming in a current to maintain a position. Preparation, which in this case is total relaxation on the surface, is everything.

The guy Nathan Niehuus, Nomad Trip, came here three years ago. He was pretty buff and you could tell he'd been spending time in a gym. I see his pics now on his boat and he's thinned down a bit. But when he was here he said that the added bulk had hurt his dive times.

Yeah....so what is the best thing to do.....besides dive a LOT....to be the best prepared for free dive spearfishing?

I don't think it's a gym regime that will impress the ladies. . Probably more a frog legged bicycle type, aerobic shape? <img src= " class="smiley" srcset="https://spearfishing.world/forum/images/smilies/emojione/1f606@2x.png 2x" height="23" width="23" loading="eager" data-tooltip="biggrin" aria-label="biggrin">

Yep.

Gone spearfishing often kept me fit at 47 bro, I hardly do something else now:( <img src= " class="smiley" srcset="https://spearfishing.world/forum/images/smilies/emojione/1f606@2x.png 2x" height="23" width="23" loading="eager" data-tooltip="biggrin" aria-label="biggrin"> I´ll try to

Regards. Abrazo bro.

<img src= " class="smiley" srcset="https://spearfishing.world/forum/images/smilies/emojione/1f606@2x.png 2x" height="23" width="23" loading="eager" data-tooltip="biggrin" aria-label="biggrin"> <img src= " class="smiley" srcset="https://spearfishing.world/forum/images/smilies/emojione/1f606@2x.png 2x" height="23" width="23" loading="eager" data-tooltip="biggrin" aria-label="biggrin"> <img src= " class="smiley" srcset="https://spearfishing.world/forum/images/smilies/emojione/1f606@2x.png 2x" height="23" width="23" loading="eager" data-tooltip="biggrin" aria-label="biggrin"> <img src= " class="smiley" srcset="https://spearfishing.world/forum/images/smilies/emojione/1f606@2x.png 2x" height="23" width="23" loading="eager" data-tooltip="biggrin" aria-label="biggrin"> so true but funny too! When we're born we can't walk,speak,have no hair and teeth and wear diapers. When we're old we go the same way; no teeth ,no hair,can't walk, can't talk and wearing diapers.God is so funny! I think I'am going the same way I came, by accident <img src= " class="smiley" srcset="https://spearfishing.world/forum/images/smilies/emojione/1f606@2x.png 2x" height="23" width="23" loading="eager" data-tooltip="biggrin" aria-label="biggrin">

I hope to leave this world before I need diapers again

Once a man, twice a child.

Quote from monster slayer

Ladies are impressed by sheer male self confidence and that comes with age

If you really want ladies, (at any age and fitness level), just have LOTS of MONEY.

You are not entitled to talk Hau. You're not human.

The circle of life

<img src= " class="smiley" srcset="https://spearfishing.world/forum/images/smilies/emojione/1f606@2x.png 2x" height="23" width="23" loading="eager" data-tooltip="biggrin" aria-label="biggrin">

Everyone try's to find what work best for his personal circumstances, which I think is correct. In my case stress and anxiety of making a living and raising a family took a toll. After a triple by-pass and a bout with cancer I changed my lifestyle. Just the wife and I now, so simplified our lives. Draw a very modest SS check but don't even spend all of it. Don't own a home any more, I became a caretaker and live a very slow pace of life on this Island. Spearfish 5-6 days a week, 6 hrs in the water, come back to shore and clean and sell fish, then wash and clean equipment.
A lite breakfast, after I get back into boat a cold beer( just one) to replenish some carbs, maybe one more beer while cleaning fish.and home for small dinner and two glasses of red wine. I eat just about anything I want but in smaller portions. Took me a while to figure out my metabolism wasn't what it used to be. A bloated and stuffed feeling with heartburn should be your first indication.. At 68 the 'guns' are not what they used to be and don't require as much fuel.
But ther is one main thing that I am convinced benefits me most in old age and that is a high level of oxygen intake from full deep breathing on oceans surface. Although my muscle mass decreased so did my weight but the endurance has increased. As long as the young locals keep asking ' grandpa' to take them fishing the Ego is also refreshed!
The by-pass was 15 years ago, no longer need cholesterol Medication or any meds accept occasional Aleve when I pick up something I shouldn't. The only 'tube' I want in my mouth is a snorkle and carry a durable power of attorney to insure that desire.

Quote from Rustyflopper

Everyone try's to find what work best for his personal circumstances, which I think is correct. In my case stress and anxiety of making a living and raising a family took a toll. After a triple by-pass and a bout with cancer I changed my lifestyle. Just the wife and I now, so simplified our lives. Draw a very modest SS check but don't even spend all of it. Don't own a home any more, I became a caretaker and live a very slow pace of life on this Island. Spearfish 5-6 days a week, 6 hrs in the water, come back to shore and clean and sell fish, then wash and clean equipment.
A lite breakfast, after I get back into boat a cold beer( just one) to replenish some carbs, maybe one more beer while cleaning fish.and home for small dinner and two glasses of red wine. I eat just about anything I want but in smaller portions. Took me a while to figure out my metabolism wasn't what it used to be. A bloated and stuffed feeling with heartburn should be your first indication.. At 68 the 'guns' are not what they used to be and don't require as much fuel.
But ther is one main thing that I am convinced benefits me most in old age and that is a high level of oxygen intake from full deep breathing on oceans surface. Although my muscle mass decreased so did my weight but the endurance has increased. As long as the young locals keep asking ' grandpa' to take them fishing the Ego is also refreshed!
The by-pass was 15 years ago, no longer need cholesterol Medication or any meds accept occasional Aleve when I pick up something I shouldn't. The only 'tube' I want in my mouth is a snorkle and carry a durable power of attorney to insure that desire.

Thanks for sharing your story. I have lost my dive buddy last month due to esophageal cancer, he was only 57 y/o. You never know whats waiting around the next corner for yourself, therefore make it count and enjoy every day like it's your last.☺

Rusty Flopper very inspired by your story, thanks for sharing it.

Not sure how old Hau is (???) but I'm guessing I might be the old fart on this forum. I didn't say active because I am landlocked and only get to spearfish once, maybe twice a year. However, I think I can still contribute a small amount when the subject is staying fit with age.

Background for a few new members: I am a 72 year old cancer survivor (agressive prostate in 1994) with 15 year old twins (boy & girl) who love the ocean as much as I do. My son spear fishes my daughter is into sea critters small or large. A highlight for them was a week swimming with Whale Sharks in 2013 and my son spearing many nice snappers last year.

I started spearfishing when I was 10 years old in the early 50's when the sport was in its infancy in Panama. I have speared fish over a thousand pounds (sawfish) and landed many many Jewfish up to 400 pounds using old French Arbolet spearguns with ski rope and Clorox bottles for floats. I was active spearing until late 70's when I relocated from Panama Canal Zone (born & raised) to Montana (U.S.). The only diving I did from mid 70's until 2000 was recreational scuba diving. I picked up spearfishing again in 2000 until 2002 living in South Florda this time with modern equipment (Omer long fins and RIFFE 50 inch Mid Handle speargun). Moved to Asia in 2002 and did lots of recreational scuba diving but no spearfishing.

Returned to the U.S. in 2004 and returned to spearfishing in 2012 by bagging a nice (35-40 pound) Pargo and a few nice Dorados in Baja. Have managed to return to spearfishing once a year with focus on passing on the sport to my son.

Now (sorry for long story) to subject - fitness. Having mountain climbed and summited Mt. Rainier without a guide, twice backpacked over 100 miles in the wilderness (Bob Marchall in Montana) plus staying very active backpacking, bike riding, and spending time in the gym fitness was never a problem in my 40's, 50's and even into my 60's.. But I have gained 10-12 pounds around my middle and more importantly lost a lot of muscle tone the past few years. I have spent the past 10 years doing extensive traveling teaching international aviation courses to Civil Aviation Authorities (CAA) mostly in Africa. Not very conducive to staying in shape.

I now HAVE to go to the gym 4 times a week and workout an hour on upper body, legs, back and Abdomen using Nautilus type machines. I started "training" in Ernest a month ago and can do more and more weights but still carrying 10 pounds too much but I know that will slowly fall off and the muscle tone will improve albeit sloooooly.

But, and this is really what I have discovered, getting fit and staying fit in your 70's is a LOT harder than it was in my 60's. But I'm not ready to give up and quit. Therefore for me to remain active I need to ensure the 4 hard workouts in the gym plus walking, stair master, etc. is necessary but still have lots of aches and pains - part of aging.

My freediving sucks - despite consulting with an ENT I have chronic sinus problems which has been an increasing problem the past 2 years - Really limiting my ability to spearfish. But right now planning on a return to either Panama to spearfish with my old dive buddy or most likely return to Baja with the family in November and spearfish with my son.

I have good genres - lost my Dad this past December at 99 and my Mom is still alert and active and 2 months shy of 101 (her older sister is 103 and younger sister will be 100 next month). So I either work hard to stay in shape and continue to be active and spearfish once in a while or quit and become inactive.

Getting old is NOT for sissies but better than the alternative :@

I edited this to add something that Roger Yazbeck has said that I've learned the importance of - the LEGS. Strong legs is really important has one ages. Squats and other exercises to keep your legs strong becomes more important as one ages but is often overlooked.

Great story and advice Oscar. Thanks.