Here is an earth shattering epiphany that came to me the other day; a month shy of 49, I "ain't 20 no more." Yes, I know; what else is new? Ah, how we delude ourselves? Wow, back when I was young, full of vim and vigor; getting back into shape was a breeze. After nearly five decades of existence, bouncing back is no longer a given.

In my twenties, I ate, drank, and smoked and was always in shape. I quit smoking the day I turned 30 and shot up 15lbs of fat within two weeks. Still, in my early thirties, getting that weight under control was not too bad. Through the thirties and even into my early forties, I was in decent shape. In fact, at 43 years; I was in really good shape, and strong, too.

I was living in Hawaii; snacking on whey protein and creatine. I was either pumping iron like a madman at Gold's or running along the Ala Moana Beach every day. I forgot I was over forty; I thought I was back to being twenty again.

And then we moved back to the mainland and our first baby came. Then came the period when I was working 15 hours a day minimum, running my own business. Then I stopped working for myself and joined a company working the same hours, except for someone else. And then our second, gorgeous little girl came into our existence. And I became completely out of shape.

Then came the arthritis and gout. Man, it seemed like the warranty ran out on my body and all the parts started to fall off. The worst of it culminated in my elbow operation about a year and a half ago where they took out 24 bone chips and had to shave my bone ends. That was no fun.

But here's the thing; I knew I was out of shape (still am) and I am blogging this website on healthy weight gain. After 35 years, I know as much about weightlifting, bodybuilding, and nutrition as the next bear. In days gone by; I have boxed, humped 100 lb rucksacks up mountains, fought in martial arts tournaments, been accused of being on the juice; man, I could go on.

The thing is I know enough to help folks get into shape. I know what to do and how to do it.

But looking at myself today, where was the credibility and how could I talk the walk when I have not for nearly five years? More importantly, my girls are young and when they are ready to start their own families; I will probably be over 70 years old. I needed to get in shape now and get healthy now; so I can be with them twenty years from now.

So, to cut to the chase, with bad joints, limited time, and two very inquisitive girls, I decided to give Bodylastics a try. First, I came up with this cockamamie idea about conducting a personal Bodylastics experiment for 12 weeks, and then giving it my almighty thumbs up or down. I titled my post category "Bodylastics Journey."
What I did not know at the time was that this would be a real journey; a real journey to get back to being strong and healthy. So, after five weeks, the experiment is over. It will not be a 12 week trial. It will be a life journey. I will still post pictures of my progress, but mostly, it will be just for a laugh - at how bad I had become (laughter is a good thing, right?)

For all the downside and weirdness of using resistance bands, this home gym is, or has, become a part of my daily habit. I am not going to list all the great bennies with using Bodylastics or any other form of resistance band training. Do the research and see for yourself.

As for my opinion; it is real, it is safe, and it is cheap. What more does anyone need to know?

At a time when I am fast closing in on five decades, I want to spend my time with my children. But, to keep up with two little rambunctious girls and being with them for the long haul means getting back into the kind shape I was in ten years ago. There is no turning back time, or as I like to say, "Beat back the hands of time," but I am finding that resistance band training fits me well - for my joints, for versatility, for safety, and a darn good, sweat jamming workout.

As a youngster, I and all my friends were taught to keep our eyes on the prizes (you all know this). What I did not know back then was that the prize is not glory or material goods or "winning." All those things are nice. Everyone should shoot for the best they can be and all they can get. But no one should ever mistake any of that for the true prize.

The true prize is family. The true prize is living a legacy to this world. And legacy we leave are our children raised with love and compassion, so they will go on to raise their children with love and compassion.

And somehow, in a weird and roundabout way, Bodylastics has become a part of my life, as I seek to raise my little girls to be loving and compassionate members of our society (go figure). Thanks Blake.