The Progressing Pilgrim

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How A 60 Year-Old Prevents Weightlifting Injuries – Weekly Workout

August 14, 2017 By John Leave a Comment

When I tell people who are the same age as me that I lift heavy weights, the inevitable exclamation is, “You’d better be careful you don’t hurt yourself.” Sometimes the person is genuinely concerned but sometimes it comes across as an admonishment.

As in, “Do you think it’s safe for someone your age to lift weights?”

Can this 60-year old man hurt himself lifting weights? Sure, but I can get hurt in a thousand different ways if I’m not careful. If I follow the plan and allow my body to recover well, I should be fine. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Fitness, Wellness

The Amazing Health Benefits Of Strength Training – Weekly Workout

August 7, 2017 By John Leave a Comment

When I started strength training three years ago, my main goal was to regain some of the muscle and strength I had lost from 27 years inactivity due to chronic fatigue syndrome. I was now 57 years old and had undoubtedly lost even more muscle from normal aging.

After two and a half years of barbell training, I accomplished that goal and more. Not only had I gained muscle, but, at 60 years old, I had become stronger than I had been in the previous 27 years.

As I became more involved in training, however, I began reading studies on the benefits of strength training that involved more than just gaining raw strength. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Fitness, Wellness

How The Starting Strength Program Made Me Strong Again – Weekly Workout

July 31, 2017 By John Leave a Comment

If someone had told me three years ago that I could get strong enough to do a 200-pound bench press and a 300-pound deadlift, I would’ve laughed in their face and walked away.

At 57 years old and recovering from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and bursitis in both shoulders, the odds of me getting that strong again were about zero to none.

What a ridiculous thought. How could I ever get that strong again? Especially after having CFS for 27 years.

Well, it’s not such a ridiculous thought now.

I recently pulled a 290-pound deadlift and bench pressed 192.5-pounds. Oh, and by the way, I’m 60 years young and weigh 171 pounds. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Fitness, Wellness

A Key To Longevity: Keep Your Spouse As Healthy As You Are

July 27, 2017 By John Leave a Comment

Do you want to live longer? Okay, that’s a stupid question. Of course, you do.

Here’s an excellent way to help that happen. Make sure your spouse is as healthy and fit as you are.

Now, you might ask, “If I’m already healthy and fit, how will a fit and healthy spouse help me live longer?

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Spirituality, Wellness

The Best Strength Exercise Ever: The Barbell Back Squat – Weekly Workout

July 24, 2017 By John Leave a Comment

Barbell squats are the most important exercise for developing overall strength and fitness. There is no other exercise that compares with squats for gaining strength and making you a physically better functioning human being.

As of this July, I’ve now been doing barbell back squats for 1 year. That’s a pretty big deal for me.

First, I never even did a squat until I was 59 years old. Who in their right mind puts a barbell on their back and squats down with it at 59 years old? [Read more…]

Filed Under: Fitness, Wellness

How I’m Beating Sarcopenia With Strength Training – Weekly Workout

July 17, 2017 By John Leave a Comment

Did you know that if you’re over 30 years old you’ll start losing muscle mass every year? It’s true, you will.

The normal human aging process dictates that everyone, at some point, in their thirties will begin losing muscle and that loss will continue through out your life.

If you’re an especially active person or someone who engages in a physically demanding job, normal muscle loss due to aging usually isn’t a problem.

However, if you’re a couch potato or you engage in a sedentary type job you could be losing a lot of muscle and that could be a problem. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Fitness, Wellness

A Quick Healing From Back Spasms – Weekly Workout

July 10, 2017 By John Leave a Comment


Two Saturdays ago, I was bending down to put something into my freezer when a severe pain shot through my lower back.

In the words of Forrest Gump, it felt like something jumped up and bit me.

I knew what it was right away. Every one to two years my lower back goes into spasm. It’s been happening for at least 20 years. That was long before I started strength training. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Fitness, Wellness

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Hi! I’m John. Welcome to the Progressing Pilgrim. I’m 64 years young and I’ve created this blog to share the health, fitness and spiritual strategies that have turned my life around. If you’re looking to become a healthier (physically and spiritually) version of yourself you’ve come to the right place. Eat Well. Lift Heavy. Oh, I also produce historical videos! Soli Deo Gloria! Read more…

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