Get A Ripped Body After 55

My fitness journey of the last 4.5 years has been nothing short of miraculous for me.  The path had twists and turns, ups and downs, successes and setbacks. But in retrospect, it has been the best physical, mental and spiritual journey of my life.

I had spent all of my life as an uncomfortably skinny guy, “skin and bones.” I struggled with an unhealthy body image.  To me it was worse to be a skinny guy than a big guy.  I was the kid afraid of summer because in shorts and a t-shirt I felt I looked frail and not at all masculine. It didn’t mater what or how I ate, I would not gain weight.  Then in my mid forties things started to change and the weight came on, but not healthy weight.  So, I became a skinny fat guy.

Life had been crazy for decades. Work was busy and stressful, the kids had activities every night and I did not carve out time for myself. My diet consisted of the 4 major food groups of Taco Bell, Sonic, McDonald’s and Pizza!  Exercise sounded like a four letter word and the mirror and camera lens were my enemies. The thing I couldn’t hide from was the horrible way that I felt and thought of myself.  I was sick and tired of being sick and tired, mentally and physically. And then I saw “that” picture,  the one that pulled down my curtain of denial.  In this picture my man breasts could have filled a B-cup bra, my belly spilled over my waist band and I had pencil thick arms.  Something had to change, but I had a stock pile of excuses to delay making any healthy changes.  Then in the Fall of 2017 something did change, something I could not ignore. I had a mild stroke. My blood pressure, cholesterol and cortisol were all high and my esteem was low. The need for change was no longer about just vanity….it was about staying alive and feeling better.

That Christmas (2018) my amazing wife Piper (look for her absolutely amazing Hitch Fit transformation) set us up with trainers at a local gym. A few months into that I had lost a few pounds and discovered a few muscles lurking below the fluff.  Since I was seeing a little change and feeling a little better, I wanted more.  I started looking for a trainer that would walk me further down the path.  Multiple recommendations led me to a place called Hitch Fit. I looked them up on line and it seamed intimidating. The owners looked like super heroes and they had world championships, major magazine covers, a who’s who client list…. on and on.

They had a different approach, they were “transformation coaches.”  Seeing that they worked with people of all fitness levels, I thought I’d at least stop by to see what the people and place were like. I was greeted by a big guy with a big welcoming smile and the words, “are you ready to work out? – Hi, I am Micah.” He seemed friendly enough but looked like he just walked off the cover of Ironman Magazine (turns out he did that too!) Was I nervous – yes, was I intimidated – yes, did I fear being judged – yes. But I decided to stay long enough to at least talk to him.

In a matter of minutes he was able to make anxiety evaporate and start to install the seed of motivation.  I distinctly remember looking around the gym and seeing posters and pictures of clients, the before and after pictures. In those pictures I saw hope.   Then Micah asked me what my goals were.  I mumbled some humble numbers and something about wanting to be at a fitness level that would be top 20% for my age group.  Micah relied, ” If you are ready and willing to make changes, we can make you the best version of yourself ….and if you really dial into the program, top 1-5% of your age group is possible.”

What did he say? I began to question his sanity and eye sight. But his explanation of the process made sense, and I committed to start with him the following week. A 16 week bulk program to add lean muscle. Micah put together a meal plan suggestion and a list of recommended supplements.  The plan was to work with him one on one twice a week and the other days I would work on my own with a work out plan. IT WORKED, I put on muscle that significantly changed my body composition and look.

Then I started a 12 week cut to lean out.   I successfully added several pounds of muscle and leaned down to 6.6% body fat.  That produced a better look, but far more important was the reduction of my blood pressure, normal cholesterol, and growth in self-esteem.  I was really happy with my transformation, but again found myself wanting more.

I went through another bulk and cut phase to get myself from “good to great” as Micah would say.  During Covid (2020) I went off the rails and stopped making as good of choices and backed off my workout routine.  The results were predictable.   In 2022, I decided it was time to get back on the horse and made that phone call to Micah.

I definitely got back into good shape but I felt like I could do better.  The experience of that retreat inspired me to work toward the BEST version of myself.  In the Fall of 2022, I committed to really dialing in for myself and with Micah.  This time I wanted to make a permanent change to my health and lifestyle through fitness.  It was time for another bulk and cut that led to changes I never thought possible for myself.

I was determined to go into the April 2023  with a physique I could be proud of and ended up 20 pounds leaner than the previous retreat, along with adding a few more well-earned pounds of muscle.  As Micah would say I am no longer just a “tank top hero.”  I even have bumps on my stomach that I am told are abdominal muscles!  I had not seen those since high school.  I actually did my first photo shoot and am proud of the changes I have made.  While my self-esteem is better, my health is the real pay off.  I now get to do things I was not capable of doing 20 years ago.

I now understand that fitness is a lifestyle and earned on a daily basis.  I make good choices and have a steady work out routine.  The results of that are predictable as well.  I feel better and look better inside and out. Yes Its possible to get a ripped body after 55.

I want to thank Micah for believing in me until I could believe in myself.  I am so blessed to have found a trainer/mentor with his degree of knowledge and understanding of fitness and life.  Most importantly, I am proud to call him a friend.  Micah literally saved my life.