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I was wondering how many guys here are in better shape now than when they were in high school/college. I'm currently 39 and I'm in way better shape than in my late teens, early 20's Back then I was approaching 240lbs of fat, now I'm 210 and close to calling myself muscular. When I hit the big 40 next year, I hope to look more like a 20 year old!

Congratulations! Now keep at it, cuz it is in your 40s when your body is gonna really want to slow down and your metabolism go all to hell. But with your exercising, you may be able to beat that.

I am 44 years old and I find that I am much stronger than I was in high school but not nearly as flexible or quick. I was a wrestler, ran track and throw the shot and discus in HS. I was in good shape but never hit the gym seriously. Natural ability let me coast through school and win a bunch of stuff. Now I have to focus on the work outs and be dedicated but it has paid off. I don't built huge awe inspiring muscle but hey are much stronger. I can still leg press over 800, not bad for a border line geezer.

I will be 41 next month and I feel better now than I ever have in my life. They say now that 40 is the new 20, so I hope and can keep up with the trend.

At 43 I have the same waist as I did a sophomore in high school. I had flatter abs about that time, I think, but I couldn't maintain working out. I was slim at 20, but not muscular. I'm clearly in better shape now than I was at 20.

48 here, I love this thread! Gonna squat 425 lbs. tomorrow, which I never could do 20 years ago.

I was a total wimp in high school in college and many my friends were awesome athletes. Now they are couch potatoes and look years older than their actual age....and I am the one who is in "awesome" shape. And I am a far cry from 40 y.o.

John

Im defintely in the best shape of my life - I have the same waist size I had in my early 20's but it did change for the worse for a number of years due to my slackassery.

I got in better shape a lot faster now than I was able to back then - go figure.

I'm about to turn 39 and am in the "best shape of my life" -- sounds corny but it's true. Just wish I'd started lifting weights 20 years ago instead of 2.5 years ago, but better late than never!

I am 50 years old and in way better shape now then I was in high school and overall in better shape now then I was in my 20s.

Wow, some of the posters so far, I've seen their picture, but never viewed their age and didn't think anything past 35 as their age. More than enough incentive to consider lifetime fitness all over this board. Ofcourse, one in particular, his good looks are timeless.

I'm in a different shape than 20. When I see those post high school pics I was somewhat tall and lean,, but I actually like the more manly filled out look of my later 40's...

Way better shape now - and it just keeps getting better!

If you make a commitment early on (for me it was around 20) to live a healthy fitness-minded life you will definitely reap the rewards later in life because then staying in shape isn't so much a chore as it is a lifestyle. I'm much stronger now, with much more energy, stamina, and endurance then I ever had in my teens and 20's. Regular exercise is a key to staying fit and healthy and keep stress levels at bay.

Yes, definitely in better shape now than I ever was at 20. In fact, I get mistaken for being in my 20's all the time, even though I am twice that.

I'd say I'm 2-3x stronger now, more flexible, and WAY more athletic. At 20 years old, I was a hack at athletics - playing around at martial arts and doing a bit of mountain biking, but as an adult, grew into a multi-sport athlete. I would NEVER go back to being 20. At a party recently I was dancing with a 24 year old who asked my age. I told him and his jaw hit the floor. 40 IS the new 20. And from the look of the guys on RJ, 50 is the new 30. I think we know more, and apply more of that knowledge these days. I can honestly say I'm in the best shape of my life right now. I hope to keep saying that every year until the inevitable decline starts at around....75. :-)

Definitely better :-)

I was 143 lbs in high school and the beginning of college. I had a 29 inch waist and did circuit training and aerobics. I started working out with heavier weights when I was about 23. the first year I gained 20 lbs, the second 10. By the time I hit 30 I was 186 lbs and tottered around 10% bodyfat. After a car accident injury to the neck kept me away from the gym for 5 yrs I am now working on my goal to be a very hard and dense 200 lbs(roughly my current weight).

I dunno, I kinda liked the way I looked when I was 32 at 10% bodyfat. LOL. But I do like that many folks think I'm in my low to mid thirties. My sister asked me if I have had plastic surgery, and I have coworkers at the gym accusing me of botox.

Like others in this thread, however, I have never been stronger in my life than I am right now.

At 48 I am in about the same shape as I was 30 years ago. Have always worked out and hopefully will continue to for years to come.

Definitely in better shape than my early twenties. I can still wear the same clothes from high school ( yes, I still have my favourites), my body compostion and aerobic fitness has improved.

I think it just takes a few years of learning and training to progress. Still learning a little all the time. I just selectively choose advice now.

I totally agree! My 30th high school reunion is next year and I have gone from 250 in my twenties to 190 at 47! I go to the gym almost everyday, have learned to love cardio (music helps!) and lookin forward in the next year to seeing ABS!

Agree totally. I was 140 as a senior in high school. I gained 25 pounds in my freshman year in college and never looked back. I think I still look pretty good, but I will never be the kind of guy who turns heads, and I'm fine with that.

I can honesty say, that I am in much better shape today, than I was in my 20's.

I was so ultra skinny, with no definition to speak of.

With diet and exercise, I was able to transform my upper body, and have it match with my thighs and calves.

Getting older does have its benefits. WOOF

I hit my peak at 35, lifting wise. Why I never pushed the weights after that? Boredom, small injuries from other sports, ect.

But now at 46? I am the ripped muscle dude that the kids in their 20's wish they were. I am now bigger, stronger and more ripped than any 20-something.. But I am 46. So, if age is a thing, it rules me out. If being with a huge muscle guy is the thing, I am it. But I get it. I never wanted to be with a 40 year old when I was 20. But if they want to be with a guy with a real, not roid, muscle.guy.... I am it. But, then again I am an "old" guy at 46. lol

I see 20-somethings that look frankly like shit. Guys I would never sleep with. 20-something with a body that is shit. So, some yng guys would not sleep with me and some yng guys I would not sleep with.

I am definately better now physically than back then but I am also in a much better place emotionally and mentally. I have tried to learn the lessons that life has given me; succeding at most but failing at others.