Working Out at 67 vs. 21: What Changed?

Let me get this off my chest right away. I don’t like working out. That wasn’t always the case.

When I was 21 years old, I loved working out. I couldn’t get enough of it. Two hours in the gym would fly by like twenty minutes. Running felt natural, workouts were exciting, and pushing myself physically was something I truly enjoyed.

Back then, I ran regularly, worked out about five days a week, and even competed in martial arts competitions. At that time I weighed around 165 pounds and felt like I had unlimited energy. Fast forward several decades.

Today, at 67 years old, things are a little different. Now I have to push myself to go to the fitness center most days, and what once felt like a quick workout can sometimes feel like it lasts forever. Twenty minutes can feel like two hours.

So what changed? The answer is simple. I did.

Adapting as the Years Go By

One of the biggest changes came after a back injury several years ago. Running, which I once loved, is no longer something I can do comfortably.

Instead, I use the elliptical machine for cardio. It allows me to keep moving and get my heart rate up without putting unnecessary strain on my back.

My activities have also changed. At 67, I still stay active, but in different ways. I now:

• Play golf

• Study Balintawak martial arts

• Work out three to four days a week

  
  

My weight today is about 175 pounds, which is not dramatically different from when I was younger. The biggest difference is not the number on the scale but how my body responds to exercise.

Motivation Changes With Age

When you’re 21, workouts often feel exciting and energizing. Progress comes quickly, recovery is fast, and the body seems to bounce back easily. At 67, motivation is different.

Exercise becomes less about performance and more about health, mobility, and independence. The goal now is simple: Stay strong enough to keep doing the things you enjoy in life.

One Thing That Has Never Changed

Despite everything that has changed over the years, one thing has remained exactly the same. I know now, just as I knew then, that working out is essential for maintaining good health.

Even though I no longer enjoy working out the way I did when I was younger, I still do it. And that commitment is what matters most. There was a saying we used in the United States Marine Corps:

“You don’t have to like doing something, as long as you do it.”

That mindset still applies today.

The Real Lesson

Fitness doesn’t always feel fun. Sometimes it feels like work. But staying active is one of the most important things we can do as we age. It helps maintain strength, balance, mobility, and overall health. You may not train the same way you did at 21, but that doesn’t mean you stop training. You adapt, you adjust, and you keep moving.

Final Thoughts

Working out at 67 is not the same as working out at 21. But the goal is still the same:

Take care of your body so it can take care of you. And even if you don’t enjoy every workout, showing up and doing the work is what really counts.

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