Guardian: “I Am a 91-Year-Old Bodybuilder”
Wow. I’ve often said that “you’re never too old to get into shape” – and Charles Eugster is living proof.
Then at 85 I had a crisis. I looked at myself in the mirror one day, and saw an old man. I was overweight, my posture was terrible and there was skin hanging off me where muscle used to be. I looked like a wreck. I started to consider the fact that I was probably going to die soon. I knew I was supposed to slow down, but I’m vain. I missed my old body and wanted to be able to strut across the beach, turning heads.
I was already rowing six times a week, and there didn’t seem any harm in pushing myself a bit harder to rebuild my muscles. So in my late-80s I joined a bodybuilding club.
…I’m not chasing youthfulness. I’m chasing health. People have been brainwashed to think that after you’re 65, you’re finished. We’re told that old age is a continuous state of decline, and that we should stop working, slow down and prepare to die. I disagree. To me, a 65-year-old is young. I turn 92 this year. It is a frightening prospect – the law of averages is against me, and, yes, one day something will happen and that will be it. But until that day comes, I’m going to carry on working on my abs.
Click over to the Guardian article and check out his pic. He could easily pass for a man who’s 20 years younger, IMHO. Great job, Mr. Eugster!
April 4, 2011
Wow!! He is an inspiration to anyone. He saw a problem with his health and well being and had the drive to address it. At his age most people would just relax in the old rocking chair and wither away.
It just makes you wonder what other people are thinking when they reach their 40’s and say they can’t exercise for whatever reason. How can they possibly justify that?
I hope I can keep going and follow his path to stay in the best shape I can for the rest of my hopefully long life.