Hi all. Old guy here - 55. I’ve been reading some of the logs on this forum, and this looks like a good place. It’s good to have folks with a common interest to yak with from time to time.
Background - I’ll try to keep it short!
Started lifting in high school. Had no idea what I was doing, but that’s never stopped me. 
I’ve lifted on and off ever since (mostly off until the last few years).
Got interested in martial arts, also in high school. I’ve been involved in that on and off over the years. Currently off. Back then I started running as training for martial arts. I’ve been doing that, on and off too ever since.
In around 1995, got interested in long distance running. Ran my first merrython in '96. Between then and 2006, I completed close to 50 marathons and ultras (50 miles was longest). Due to an old injury, I developed arthritis in my knee and ankle. Had surgery (debridement and no, that’s not divorce!) on the ankle in 2007. Saw an ortho doc about the knee, and within less than 1 minute he was talking knee replacement. Saw a second ortho doc. He said basically the same thing. But what about… “You’re not a candidate for that.” But what about… “You’re not a candidate for that either.” So I started lifting to strengthen the muscles around the knee joint.
Read a bunch of articles on T-Nation and other places. Learned about fish oil. That and strengthening the quads and hams helped quite a bit with the knee pain.
I’ve struggled with the weight over the years. I’ve down below 160 more than once. In early 2008, went on my modified version of the velocity diet. I got down to 150, at about 10% BF, and started to see a hint of abs. Decided to “bulk up” follow the “JFE” advice so prevalent on the Bodybuilding forum. It was a disaster! My calipers were telling me I was gaining muscle, but also a lot of fat. Then last fall, our company got bought out, and things got stupidcrazy at work. I was working nights, and both days on the weekends for months. I lost all focus, and gained about 30 lbs (10 lean/20 fat). I kept lifting throughout that period, but ate a bunch of junk, and drank a bunch of beer.
Things have settled down some at work, and about a month ago, I started dieting again. This time, I’m doing something of a cross between the anabolic diet and a carb cycling diet. My goal is to lose the fat, but keep as much muscle as possible. At the end of the last diet, I estimated my lean body weight at around 130 lbs. Now it’s closer to 140. I’d like to end up at 8% or so BF, with a lean body weight of around 145-150.
I was doing a triple split routine based around Gironda’s 8x8 Honest Workout, but I’ve switched back to a basic total body workout with mainly compound money lifts with very few isolation exercises. I try to lift every other day, so on average I’ll get in 3.5 workouts per week. I’m trying to maintain the muscle I have while losing the fat.
Diet wise, I’m trying to get about 1.5g protein per lb of lean body weight (I use 140). I’m keeping the carbs low (usually less than 30g), and trying to get about 40% Cal from fat. I try to keep the intake below 2000 Cal per day. I allow myself one carb-up day per week, but I try to be moderate with it. Easter was an exception! Weight this morning was less than 175 down from a high of 183 when I started. Prior to the Easter debauchery, I was below 173.
A couple of other factoids:
I’m a peakbagger. I like to get out to Colorado and climb 14ers once or twice each year. I know that carrying extra fat really takes a toll in the mountains. It was hard enough at around 150lbs last year! OTOH, I expect that stronger legs will help with humping up there, and a stronger upper body won’t hurt with the scrambling either.
I’m also a homebrewer. I make a mean porter (Peakbagger Porter, of course!). I love good beer. Problem is, it loves me back, and wants to stick with me in the form of adipose tissue.
Well, that was longer than I hoped. I’ll post my workouts soon.