I’ve never been the guy who lived at the gym or counted every calorie. For most of my life, I didn’t even know what I weighed—I just didn’t care. College brought some structure, and I enjoyed lifting with the guys, but like most men, life took over. Work, family, responsibilities—fitness became something I’d get to “eventually.”
Then 2020 hit, and I couldn’t ignore the truth anymore. I was pushing out of size 38 pants. My shirts were tight in all the wrong places. At six feet tall and 240 pounds, I looked in the mirror and realized I needed to change. Maybe you’ve had that moment too.
The Journey That Changed Everything
I didn’t hire a personal trainer or join an expensive gym. I started where most men over 50 start—at home, with what I had. A bench, Bowflex adjustable dumbbells, and a lot of questions about what actually works at our age.
I dove into the research. Medical journals, fitness studies, nutrition science—I wanted to understand how men’s bodies change after 50 and what we can do about it. I tested workouts, experimented with meal timing, tracked my progress, and learned what the research actually says versus what the supplement industry wants us to believe.
The free version of HasFit gave me coaching and structure. Vega One shakes helped me manage calories without feeling deprived. And most importantly, I learned that consistency and persistence matter more than perfection.
The results? I’ve lost 60 pounds over the past few years. My pant size went from 38 to 32. My energy came back. And yes, throwing away fat clothes and buying a whole new wardrobe—because you got fit, not fat—feels incredible.
Why I Call It a Lifestyle, Not a Diet
Here’s what I learned the hard way: stress happens. Life gets messy. There will be weeks when you slip back into old habits, eat comfort foods, or skip workouts. That’s not failure—that’s life.
The difference between a diet and a lifestyle is simple. Diets end. Lifestyles adapt. I’ve had periods where I gained weight back, examined what was happening emotionally, got back to training, and kept moving forward. The weight came off again because the foundation was solid.
I still fluctuate about 10 pounds, and that’s okay. What matters is that I’ve never come close to 240 again. I understand what works for my body, my schedule, and my goals.
Who This Is For
I’m not a doctor. I’m not a certified trainer. I’m a guy who felt like you might feel right now—frustrated, tired of making excuses, and ready for real answers that don’t require a second mortgage or living at the gym.
This book is for men over 50 who want:
- Practical strategies that fit into real life
- Science-backed information without the medical jargon
- Honest talk about challenges like low testosterone, belly fat, sleep issues, and staying motivated
- Sustainable results, not 30-day transformations that disappear by day 31
What You’ll Find Here
Everything I’ve learned is in these pages:
- Nutrition principles that actually work for men over 50
- Home workout routines that build strength without wrecking your joints
- The truth about testosterone, sleep, stress, and recovery
- Tools I personally use—from daily meal planning to mindset strategies
- Real talk about the mental game of staying consistent when progress feels slow
This isn’t about becoming a bodybuilder or chasing your 25-year-old self. It’s about being the strongest, healthiest, most capable version of yourself at 50, 60, 70, and beyond.
The Bottom Line
Strength after 50 isn’t about impressing anyone. It’s about carrying your own luggage, playing with your grandkids, hiking without stopping every five minutes, and living life on your terms.
If you’re tired of feeling like your best years are behind you, I wrote this for you. Not as an expert looking down, but as a guy who’s been exactly where you are—and found a way forward.
Let’s build something that lasts.
— Gary Hardin
Author, Strong Over 50
StrongOver50.net