I am young (early-to-mid twenties) and work crazy hours, so, I don't get to work out as much as I'd like to.

With that being said, I still run between 20-25 miles a week and stay in very good shape. In my opinion, being physically fit most definitely shoud fit into one's prep plan.

 

I am twice your age and like a good many middleage folks, I stopped exercising. Not the case anymore. I suspect endurance will be of great value in a SHTF scenario.

 

Items of importance in a SHTF scenario:
1. Water
2. Food
3. Shelter
4. Health and fitness
5. Support from your family or another prepper or 10.

I take my health very very seriously. Bodybuilding, cardieo, mountaineering experience for extreme wilderness survival, etc.

 

I'm with you on getting in shape. what are you doin for cardio?

 

I also believe in this philosophy of staying fit.

You don't even need to waste money on a gym or expensive exercise equipment. etc

- Run for free
- Bicycle for free ( well the bike may cost a little )
- If you can't do either walk for free
- pushups 50 a day
- situps 50 a day
- chinups 50 a day

Doing those things every day will help you tremendously and you will feel great.

Also you need a good diet of course....eggs, chicken, fat free milk, fish, etc.

Get off the couch forget American Idol and do those things during the week.

 

I'm with you on the free aspect. I am going to purchase a bike as walking on concrete and asphalt isn't doing my feet any favors. My diet change to low/no carbs is one of the best things I ever did for myself.
I rarely get hungry. Skipping meals doesn't bother me in the least. I think it is something we should all look into as a good tool for food management and weight control. I think it is as important as any other prep.

 

Being in shape is huge. Comical example is Zombieland, "Rule #1 cardio, first ones to go were the fatties". I will never out run bullets, but it is depressing how many people cannot at least sustain a jog for even a mile without stopping, walking etc., and that is on flat ground/track/road not open land carrying gear.
I would go in this order: A PLAN, Water, Food, Shelter, Health/Fitness, safety/protection, support, and then the list goes on....

 

very true

Agree...Fitness should be right up there at the top of your priority list.

I have stepped up my program in the last 6 months..
....not as much as I would like but MINIMUM...3 times a week
a must 4 mile run minimum...and strength training...2 a week.

Definitely not where I want to be but we all have to start somewhere...
My best friend runs marathons so doing 12 miles a week is a big time wimp.

Mantra...
I WILL commit to being stronger!

 

Agree...Fitness should be right up there at the top of your priority list.

I have stepped up my program in the last 6 months..
....not as much as I would like but MINIMUM...3 times a week
a must 4 mile run minimum...and strength training...2 a week.

Definitely not where I want to be but we all have to start somewhere...
My best friend runs marathons so doing 12 miles a week is a big time wimp.

Mantra...
I WILL commit to being stronger!

I WILL commit to being stronger! stealing your mantra. Thanks.

 

Physical fitness is a high priority for me. I jog and hike weekly, do tactical exercises (don't ask), and practice unarmed combat techniques for at least a few minutes every couple days. No sense in getting out of shape.

Working on sheds, fences and chicken coops, cutting firewood, and working in the garden helps to keep me in shape too. Since I started farming 2 years ago, I've actually noticed that my stamina has actually improved.

 

We'll I am asking. What do you mean by "tactical exercises"?

 

I agree with rock climber, I think your health and fitness should fit somewhere into your top five preps.

Try to keep your body fat low (heart health and agility), try to have good cardiovascular health (for stamina), try to have as much muscle as possible (for strength and can be consumed by your body much like fat), take care of any necessary medical or dental procedures, get rid of any nasty habits, take care of your teeth.

Just so everyone is aware, it is never too late to get fit.

 

This should be everyones first priority. Eliptical training to save your joints, light weight lifting to keep muscles fit, daily stretching to keep muscles limber, healthy diet, plenty of water (this is what our body ran on for eons, not coke). If we arent proud of the most important thing we have in this world why would anyone else have any respect for us? Your teeth are very important. Work hard at having enough character to control your environment not the other way around. I refuse to be a slave to tobacco, alcohol, drugs, soft drinks, unhealthy foods.

 

same here. I think we have a good number of functioning alcoholics and drug addicts in our society. When these folks start making irrational decisions in an effort to feed their addiction, it is dangerous for all of us.

 

The fatties will go first!

 

I recently came across crossfit.com, they have videos on how to do tons of exercises and give suggested daily workout routines. Appears to be a wealth of free information there. I agree completely that if you can't physically protect yourself, all other preps may go out the window.

 

I lift low weight high reps mostly legs three times a week, hike 5 miles to my BOL every week for a quick devotional, and I play rugby three times a week plus games on the weekends. If the rugby doesn't retard me/give me alcohol poisoning I think I'll be in good enough shape. I play wing so I have to be fast and flexible enough to take massive hits, but the three concussions in the last five months are making me reconsider the sport. 6'1" 170lbs, 7% body fat
It's good to have another reason to stay ft other than the end of society, it looks better to women, and doesn't sound as weird in conversations

 

dont have to think to much about this i do PT(physical training) five times a week even if i dont want to
Run 5 miles monday
upper body tuesday
run 7 miles wednesday
upper body again
tactical road march 8 miles 40lbs ruck
its hard to get motivated i myself need someone else to make me do all that.
when i was a recruiter i would just run 6 miles every three days and that was it so glad to back to regular pt even though i hate it haha
It is important really really important.

 

Absolutely agree, in a disaster situation the strongest survive. A gun can only help you against other humans/large animals.

 

Rule #1: Cardio

 

 

This topic gets brought up about once every two months.

I think it should be a sticky.

All that food in your pantry isn't going to last as long if you don't have the discipline to put down the fork, and all those cool guns in the world won't do a job of good if you're too fat or slow to hit the prone.

 

Quarry in the field is in excellent condition and has four legs.:thumb:

 

What do you mean by that?

 

Prep fitness (IMO) is its own unique type, with a goal on endurance.
- Must be something you can keep doing even after the event (i.e. no power or gear requirements). Polymetrics, running, etc.
- Must incorporate your prep strategy; hike with BOB weight on your back, manual labor you anticipate after the event around your BOL.
- Must work with your postevent diet. If you're taking supplements (besides vitamins) now that you will not have post event, stop. Learn to be as healthy as you can with what you'll have.
- Quit caffeine, nicotine, and anything else that is going to jack you up if you don't have it after the event. Do it NOW.

Me personally, I enjoy distance running barefoot (w/VFFs), hiking with my BOB full as often as I can, and polymetrics.

 

Me personally, I enjoy distance running barefoot (w/VFFs), hiking with my BOB full as often as I can, and polymetrics.

Ah man.. and no coffee ? But i hate running barefoot ! :upsidedown:

 

I'm training for a shoeless apocalypse :thumb:

 

I agree with you 100%. I had let myself fall into pitiful shape after my divorce and just recently started working out again in the hopes of being were I was five years ago.

 

Low carb works. I've lost 50 lbs so far and looking at another 15 to get to my SHTF weight.

 

P90X. I begin the extreme next week. The transformation testimonials on youtube are enough motivation in itself. One hour of hating yourself per day? Might as well change out one of those hours of comedy central.

 

Fitness and health is a major issue for me, as Im on long term sick. Its very hard having the brain to think of everything (I do get brain fogs and loss of memory as well) and not the physicality to do anything towards it.

Iv begun to think outside the box. Im thinking of getting an electric bicycle so need to do some research, a friend used to work for the bike section of Halfords so Im going to ask him.

My Bob is going to have to be reduced massively (Im BOBing in anyhow) as I can just about pick it up let alone carry it for a distance. Iv got a sturdy large shopping trolley for it to go into if I need to.

Im thinking of doing small craft bag/tote sizes so I can just grab them. Their about the size of a carry on case, but have multiple pockets and designed to take compartment boxes.

Sorry went off subject there. What I can say if your healthy, dont let anything stop you doing what you want. Get that motivation and a committed decision and get fit to do everything you want. Dont let doubt and fear hold you back - you never know when your health will leave you, so do it now.

 

I don't think a shopping cart is a bad idea.

Cover your bob with old blankets, make yourself look dirty and homeless. I bet most people would leave you alone. Especially if you ask them for money.

 

I got REALLY sick in November/December. After several surgeries, some great infection killers, and 40 pounds of weight loss I am now back at one of the most healthy points in my life.

Relatively little pain now. It changed things immensely so I can actually move. Feeling like a friggin' Gorrilla again.

 

Great Idea time to start taking my mountain bike to do my errands nothing a mountain bike and backpack wont take care of.

 

I use mine for everything. Post office, store, exercise, going to friends homes, etc....great transportation and free. When the wind get's really excessive outside it's not much fun to ride...also the rain puts a stop to it most of the time.
Just about every single day is viable to go on one though.

 

I'm 56 days into a 90 day diet/workout (P90X) and i've lost 19.5 pounds. I feel so much better.

 

Just to say Im proud of you, keep up the good work.