In defence of the middle-aged white male – first page

I must admit, I used to think the «old guys» were a bit tragic if they complained about the disrespect and ridicule, but eventually we all get older. When I turned 40, I was shocked to learn that suddenly I was now expected to be «less of a man». Friends, family, physiotherapists, doctors; with only a few exceptions they all now look at my birth date and tell me to «take it easy in the weightroom», avoid stress etc. Disregarding this, I started a company and, just out of spite, broke my all time squat record aged 41, after almost 30 years in powerlifting. I am now working on shedding some body fat, just because I want to. And I have to tell you, I really love telling people this. Do you think teenagers who punch holes in their face provoke? They don’t. But try being 43 years old and telling people you’re working on your sixpack. They will call you an idiot behind your back, but they are only doing so because you’re breaking a taboo. If you’re 20 or even 30, it’s okay to want a sixpack. If you’re in your 40’s or older, you’re not allowed to, unless it’s the kind you drink and you plan to do it in front of the tv watching football.

Well, I’m here to tell all you guys above 40 that we need to kick those taboos in the butt. But just for the fun of it, let me list some of them here:

– Working on your muscle definition or building muscle (As mentioned, not allowed and people will call you an idiot and suspect that you’re having an affair)
– Having a healthy libido (There is no reason that a healthy, fit man above 40 should have any less sex drive than a man 20 years younger. But society expect him to slow down. Fuck them! Or maybe rather go home and do it to your wife.)
– Doing dangerous sports (You might get killed. And it’s not decent to die that way. You’re supposed to waste away in front of the tv.)
– Having young friends (Usually perceived as desperate. If they are female, you’re seen as a dirty, old man.)
– Being an dirty, old man (Older men who lust for younger, pretty women are breaking the holiest taboo of them all. But I think that we are all bound to become that dirty, old man one day.)

So go out and break those taboos. I know you want to. If you want to feel and look better, throw out all that food that makes you fat and don’t buy any more of it. Start working out. Travel. Find new friends. Be that dirty, old man. Live your life. Nobody else is going to do it for you.

-Bjørn Andreas Bull-Hansen

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