http://www.arthurdevany.com/articles/20100623

I think there are probably a number of factors, some more mysterious than others, that cause age-related weight gain. That said, none of these factors is insurmountable, and using anything as an excuse to be out of shape is just self-sabotage. I may never get back the ridiculously lean body of ten years ago (just because it is proving harder to keep up, for reasons I cannot figure out), but that doesn't mean I can't have an extremely fit body for my age.

Thought you would all enjoy this social community that I stumbled upon the other day. Nothing but the hottest athletes

Enjoy:)

I think the adversities should make us stronger and more determined. And yes young people have lot of adversities and problems, it's not like you have responsabilities only as far as money or work is concerned. Even 12 years old have problems, have negative thought about their life, have social troubles and they should be taken seriously and not talking down to on the irrelevant base of age.

Problems are a chance to show ourselves how good we're in facing them. I think the worse reaction for yourself and your family is to get stressed or depressed when you have problems.
You sound more frustrated than stressed and this frustration appears to make you harsh and hopeless which in turn increase your stress.

The point is: if you can solve a problem then you should focus on solving it rather than complaining, if you can't solve a problem then complaining won't change anything and so you can use your energy in more constructive ways.

Try to smile in face of adversities, try to be positive when things are very bad. People in war were extremely positive and still didn't allow stress to take the better of them even when they had nothing but canned tomatoes to eat for a month. Being sad for a negative situation is normal but focusing on it all the time is masochistic. If someone insults me I don't cry, I either ignore him or tell him to go to hell. If life insults you, you should do the same. If you allow bad situations to make you so stressed, frustrated and unhappy all the time, then the adversities, the bad, the evilness will have won and you are the one who loses, while challenges exist in this world to give us a chance to show ourselves we're the winnners.

I think that's the best attitude you should have for your son so he can learn this healthy approach to living (life has never meant to be without problems or perfect, it would be so boring and pointless we wouldn't care living it) because young kids should be taught to become stronger in adverse situations and to smile in face of negativity, in fact young kids usually are the one who fight the most in negative and depressing situation, showing they won't the bad to win but want to be the winner (my 7 years old young cousing broke his leg and showed more maturity in dealing with the pain and problems than his parents when they break a nail)

Also the best thing you can do for your son is giving him an healthy father who will be there when he needs him not matter how old he is. What really should frustrate or depress you is the thought that your son might grow or live without a father because he died from unhealthy lifestyle and from letting stress and frustation take over.

I'm a bit behind on my reading so, I just read this post. After reading all the comments, I realize I am WAY behind. I will say after just turning 40 last week, and with two young kids, that I am in the best shape of my life and I'm very proud of that!! And, like you, I don't spend a ton of time working out. I just workout very smart and eat well 90% of the time.

I really loved this post and found the research study to be incredibly interesting and informative. I am a huge fan of Alwyn Cosgrove (the Scot w/ attitude), Mike Boyle, Eric Cressy for that matter, so more of these kind of posts would be greatly appreciated. I just soak it up!!!

Thanks,

Karen

He has recently just signed to fight in mixed martial arts, most likely fighting against guy/s half his age.

I agree with most posts here, age is used too much as an excuse and a cop out.

I went as low as 1300 calories a day and I am larger than you. You will see much better weight loss results for sure. The muscle loss issue is confusing. Eat Stop Eat quotes a study that says people can maintain muscle as low as 800 calories a day. Others feel that no weight loss is 100 percent fat and the larger the deficit the more muscle you will lose. The concept of muscle memory also complicates things. Muscle memory is the concept that after you lose muscle you will gain it back much faster, because your body will remember your bodies old muscle requirements. You are young so I would try 1300 calories until you are as lean as you want to be. Than gain the muscle back. I am looking forward to next year being a completely anabolic year filled with muscle gaining. I am spending the rest of this year trying to get lean.

I believe your post was to me, but you put Deb in there instead. I actually was not a stay at home mom. I worked 2 different jobs when my kids were little. One job from 8-12pm. Then the other job from 6pm-11pm. I also worked weekends too when I had too. When I was home with my kids, I constantly tried to do something physical with them. I started working a regular full time job when my youngest was 2. My husband put on weight from just being lazy and overeating He was getting older and not taking care of himself. Anyway, I'm not trying to condemn you, I'm just trying to let you know that doing physical things with your kids helps to keep you in shape. Believe me, my life isn't perfect, I have quite a bit of stress from working full time and helping my mother with our family business (2nd job). So, I'm stretched to the limit, but I make sure to exercise 5 days a week for about 45 minutes. I call this me-time. I don't let anything defer me from this. I just think everyone needs at least a few minutes a day to themselves to do something that makes you feel better. Whether it's a 10 minute walk, practicing yoga, body weight exercises, or whatever thing you can do to relieve stress. I honestly think you just need to try to do something small for yourself. I think it will help with the stress.

Should I add mass to my body first then do the strength training to shape my body, because you say that lifting heavy weights with low reps gives no muscle mass.

Or will lifting heavy with low reps still build muscle but at a slower rate?

What do you recommened for someone who is just skinny and has no muscle at all.