107 year old man uses homemade KB-like weight

[0311bravo]

Actually I was an IT guy for while, yet I still understand that death due to consistently poor health is worse than not being able to work your DVD burner.

[Dermanus]

Lol! You would feel that way...your not a information systems professional. It all depends on who you are!

I work in computers too (chief geek for a medium sized company. They wouldn't put that on my business card, but that's what I am). I think you'll agree there's a difference between the person who asks for your help because they don't understand, and the person who demands that you undelete the internet so they can check the news, and that you do it right now because it's very important, and why can't you computer people just make things work for once... etc, etc... ad nauseam*.
If someone wants to learn, or is willing to admit they don't know, I have no problem helping them out. If someone tries to whine or bully their way into an unreasonable situtation, I don't have time for them. If you try and please everyone, or try to meet someone halfway when they won't do the same you're just going to end up as a doormat.

*Her Ethernet cable wasn't plugged in

[Atl]

I agree. I am not interested in pleasing others. The standards I hold to guarantee that I please myself. Being accepting and trying to have understanding for others helps me when I can manage it.

Therefore a sage has said, 'I will do nothing, and the
people will be transformed of themselves; I will be fond of keeping
still, and the people will of themselves become correct. I will take no trouble about it, and the people will of themselves become rich; I will manifest no ambition, and the people will of themselves attain to the primitive simplicity.'

--Tao Te Ching

[MikeTheBear]

I agree with Atl. Sure, I understand the frustration everyone feels when fat people refuse to take responsibility for themselves and eventually succumb to health issues. I get angry, too, when I see a fat person in one of those scooters that are designed for people with real disabilities. Every time I fly I hope I don't have to sit next to the fat guy.

But seriously...

Next time you see one of these toads behaving badly, and you know what I mean, standing outside a Dairy Queen with the double-dripped chocolate swirl cone in one hand AND a bag of fries in the other, yell, "Parasite! You are a BAD American."

Mark Toomey, RKC TL, CSCS

Screaming mean things at people? Is this going to solve the national obesity epidemic? Dude, what are you, like 10 years old? And you're an RKC. What kind of example are you setting here? Grow up.

[0311bravo]

Originally Posted by MikeTheBear

Dude, what are you, like 10 years old?

Actually he's 167. Or so I hear.
I also don't think it bears too much reading between the lines to realize that statement was just slightly tongue in cheek.
Of course there is the very real possibility that Mark and I are both just mean people who hurt feelings. We used to have rifles and bayonets, now we just have our cruel words, and they cut like knives.

[koyote]

Originally Posted by 0311bravo

It's not quite as simple as that, in my opinion. If someone comes in to my gym carrying an extra 100 pounds and wants to change I am very supportive and think a lot of that person. I don't judge them on how they got to where they are, I just deal with moving forward.
That being said, it would be disingenuous of Mark or I to pretend we aren't cranked off at self pitying slugs who suck down a pack of cigarettes a day, eat burger king for every meal, and then want to be pitied.

I agree. I'm here in the forum looking around for ways to improve a six moth challenge I just started. Whole bunch of us fatties are competing until January 1st to see who can get the most in shaped. (okay, a few of the guys are boney butts who can't lit a bag of dog food.)

For whatever set of life reasons, and I've got a few, i've ended up 50 pounds heavier than I was in the Navy, and (as I tried last weekend) COMPLETELY unable to complete the old PFT regimen.

And ... it's not your fault! If I said it was, and wanted special treatment BECAUSE I screwed up, I'd... well, I'd have to kick my own butt.

Truth is, 2 weeks before I heard about this contest with my friends, I started- dropped all grains and sugar out of the diet, started a 'couch to 5k' running plan (that's going to kill my knees if I don't actually DROP some weight) and- oh yeah, quit smoking May 21st.

I'm going to be completely honest and say that part of the reason I started, and quit, was watching people whine and moan about how they "can't" fix their lives or health- and for every solution presented to them, they find another excuse- why the solution can't work. I don't want that to be me, and I don't want to look like those people.

Okay, yeah, I also am sick and tired of of being tired and ugly. (My wife is polite, but dude.... I can see it in the mirror.)

So get ticked off- I won't say you shouldn't be relatively polite about it- but get ticked off and refuse to accept it as the proper social norm.

[ad5ly]

Living to age 107 years is a remarkable feat in itself...Genetics probably had a part in it too. I hope to live to at least age 95 and still be able to swing a 16kg bell. But for many others health/wellbeing and fitness is not even on their radar...Anything they do that is unhealthy like...smoking ..binge drinking..overeating..unprotected sex...driving the car over the posted speed limit..they can rationalize...My younger brother died 10 years ago (age 42)...overeating, and eating all the wrong food killed him. And he knew better... Maybe if I were there to nag and cajole him he may have lived longer....but we are all adults...and unless someone really wants to change for the better...you are just wasting your time....They have to want the change..and to commit...For other people life may suck...and "whats the point of it all"...but for me I am still enjoying the ride!!...Dennis

[0311bravo]

Originally Posted by koyote

I agree. I'm here in the forum looking around for ways to improve a six moth challenge I just started. Whole bunch of us fatties are competing until January 1st to see who can get the most in shaped. (okay, a few of the guys are boney butts who can't lit a bag of dog food.)

For whatever set of life reasons, and I've got a few, i've ended up 50 pounds heavier than I was in the Navy, and (as I tried last weekend) COMPLETELY unable to complete the old PFT regimen.

And ... it's not your fault! If I said it was, and wanted special treatment BECAUSE I screwed up, I'd... well, I'd have to kick my own butt.

Truth is, 2 weeks before I heard about this contest with my friends, I started- dropped all grains and sugar out of the diet, started a 'couch to 5k' running plan (that's going to kill my knees if I don't actually DROP some weight) and- oh yeah, quit smoking May 21st.

I'm going to be completely honest and say that part of the reason I started, and quit, was watching people whine and moan about how they "can't" fix their lives or health- and for every solution presented to them, they find another excuse- why the solution can't work. I don't want that to be me, and I don't want to look like those people.

Okay, yeah, I also am sick and tired of of being tired and ugly. (My wife is polite, but dude.... I can see it in the mirror.)

So get ticked off- I won't say you shouldn't be relatively polite about it- but get ticked off and refuse to accept it as the proper social norm.

Remember, if you don't succeed it's just because you didn't hate yourself enough to make it happen.
I'm kidding! It's a joke!
Seriously, best of luck with your personal challenge. As long as you set a path and stay on it you will get there.

[joes522]

I think what Mark was trying to get at at is that pretty soon we are all going to be footing the bill for them and their self-induced health problems, and that is going to get old really, really fast.

[praetorian]

Originally Posted by joes522

I think what Mark was trying to get at at is that pretty soon we are all going to be footing the bill for them and their self-induced health problems, and that is going to get old really, really fast.

Joes,

I hope the people that know me are aware that I am not a cruel person. I believe in caring for those how cannot care for themselves and to seek a just and fair outcome in all situations. At times, my sarcasm goes a touch too far, but you're right, it will get very old, very fast, for the Larry's of the world.

That said, I should have kept my political beliefs off a fitness forum, and just expressed my admiration for Larry Haubner.

To any one I offended, I sincerely apologize.

Mark Toomey, RKC TL, CSCS

BTW, I'm 153, proudly twice my IQ.