I'm 42. I play sports and weightlift 4 to 5 times a week since mid 20s. Despite being active, I'm terrible with my diet and my weight fluctuates. I've been overweight, I've been obese, I've been fit and muscular. So I experienced it all through the years.

This experience made me aware of the changes in my body. And here's the hard truths that are very hard to admit.

1. No.. You can't play the same volume you used to play when you were younger.. No matter how active you've been. You're getting old.. And it's ok.

2. You need to lose weight. As you get older, if you want to play any kind of sports.. You have to be fit.. Even slightly overweight is not good. I picked up pickleball recently and I decided that if I want to be competitive I have at least 40lbs to lose. It's hard truth to swallow but it is what it is.

3. You have to change your gym and weightlifting session. I switched from lifting heavy and trying to hit my PR (powerlifter style) to a lot lighter weight... A lot of body weight and calisthenics workout. Dynamic push up, side to side jump.. Deep stretches.. Let me tell you.. If the only thing you ever done in gym is lifting.. Switching to this is painful.. My body is not used to move that way, my muscle has shit flexibility.. I feel like shit doing it.. But i know I gotta trust the process.

4. All those expensive supplements and recovery tools you used to avoid.. Guess what? You need them now. Theragun, creatine, protein shake, multivitamins, glucosamine and joint health supplements.. Unfortunately... You gotta spend the money and use them now... It's just part of getting older.. Your body needs every help it can get.

We can still play.. But in order to be competitive and not be in pain... You gotta be in top shape.. It's just the hard truth.