As a veteran, do you find it hard to maintain a fitness routine?

2014-04-02T10:13:56-04:00

Being in shape during active duty is part of our lives, when we transition to civilian life is it hard for you to maintain physical fitness?  What are the areas of fitness (exercise, nutrition, flexibility) do you need help with or have questions?

Response by SGT Craig Northacker made May 6 at 2014 9:35 PM

2014-05-06T21:35:13-04:00

I don't find that as a veteran - I find it as a result of age and disabilities...:)

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2014 12:07 PM

2014-06-18T12:07:14-04:00

I found that when fitness was part of the routine and what I had to do, it was easily done and justified. Getting out and having an hour commute each way, and fitness not being part of the routine but something extra I would do just for me, well, I always seemed to find excuses. As an aside, lifting the remote in one hand and a beer in the other counts as circuit training, right?

Response by SFC Rich Carey made Jun 18 at 2014 12:08 PM

2014-06-18T12:08:41-04:00

Yes.... We don't get paid for physical fitness. Not part of the work day. Plus you don't have the rest of your company out there with you complaining it sucks.......

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Jul 21 at 2014 9:04 AM

2014-07-21T09:04:23-04:00

I do not find it difficult at all, I just have to be more selective in the diet that I follow....at this point, I don't sweat things so very much, it's not like I have to roll-out of bed tomorrow and knock out a PT test so I am good!!

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2014 9:04 AM

2014-07-21T09:04:36-04:00

Sgt,
As a cadet who has the summer months off I find the best way to stay fit is to find something you actually enjoy. I personally do combat sports in addition to running and weight lifting as they allow me to work out and have fun. Playing a sport is a great way to not get bored with working out

Response by SSG Robin Rushlo made Jul 21 at 2014 10:07 AM

2014-07-21T10:07:04-04:00

Age and being blind is tough to go for a run etc etc. Otherwise my pull up are great pulling up to the table, and my arm lifts with coffee mug and beer work great and breathing deep as I light the cigar I have great lung use. My BP is 108 over 72 and passed stres stest with flying colors and lung test was the same as the day I joined the Army. So since the Doctor gave me the Rx for Cigars and adult beverages I have even gotten better

Response by 1LT Nick Kidwell made Aug 1 at 2014 6:58 PM

2014-08-01T18:58:42-04:00

Round is a shape...just saying.

I do not have a challenging work schedule, but I do have a home, a family and I am in a Master's degree plan. As such, I tend to be busy and have my day filled with things other than PT.

For me, the greatest challenge is making PT a priority over entertainment such as FB and TV. I have previously worked with a trainer to take my workout to the next level, but without that enforcement, it's difficult to stick with it. Doesn't help that my gym is usually 80 degrees even in the early morning....

Response by 1LT Shawn McCarthy made Aug 1 at 2014 11:59 PM

2014-08-01T23:59:38-04:00

The key , as SFC Rich Carey mentioned, is that it is not part of our work day.
In the Army, you have to be at work at 0-dark-whatever, but that includes your work out and personal hygiene to get into your work attire, and maybe even time for breakfast!
In the private sector, you have to wake up 2 or 3 hours earlier to have time to get in a workout and get cleaned up, or find time once you get home.
It is MUCH more difficult.
Add in the fact that it moves from job requirement to non-mission critical once you stop wearing the uniform, and alas...you are a fat-body.

Response by SSG Isaac Tavares made Sep 22 at 2014 9:21 PM

2014-09-22T21:21:03-04:00

Hey Huy,

I would have to agree. I found it tough when I got out. But I found it even tougher when I lost access to the base gym after my IRR time was up. I ended up investing in some equipment and started working out in my own gym. I found it tough to maintain my motivation a few times but found the fun in fitness by creating quantifiable challenges for myself. I hope to do the same for others with an app I am developing.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2014 12:47 AM

2014-10-27T00:47:01-04:00

No!!!

Since I got out of the Military last year I was able to dedicate myself more to working out what I need to work out. I didn't have to worry about pushing myself past my limits to where I would get injured. My husband is my gym partner which helps keep both of us from getting lazy and fat haha.

It helps as well that both of us have Knee injuries so we even do our Physical Therapy together on legs day.

Overall it hasn't made it harder it's made it easier.

Response by Sgt Packy Flickinger made Jan 7 at 2015 2:12 AM

2015-01-07T02:12:43-05:00

I maintained a nice fitness routine for years after discharge. It wasn't until they removed 14" of colon that I hit the wall. Something about a 4" hole in your abdomen for 9 months slowed one down. Lost all ambition after that. Funny thing is, I've had an almost constant gym membership for the last decade yet never go.

Keep telling myself "someday". Well with a 19 month old, it's gonna be a while. Good news is, on the "diabetic diet" I'm back down to 190. :).

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2015 3:14 AM

2015-01-07T03:14:23-05:00

I don’t find it hard to keep in shape. You have to make it a priority in life and find activities that you’ll enjoy. If not it’ll be a chore and you’re unlikely to stick with it. I stopped doing things that wasted my time, and significantly cut down on other wasteful activities. I used to play online games, like first person shooters a lot. Whole days off were wasted doing that. I know longer play PC or console games and I don’t miss it. I cut out a lot of the time I used to spend in front of the TV. Rather than sitting and surfing and settling for a show when there’s really nothing on, I TiVo only the shows I really enjoy. I now get a lot more done around the house and have more time for physical activities. My wife and I do most activities together. First activity in the morning is the gym for 30 minutes of cardio followed by weight training, no excuses. If I have to make an appointment for something, it’s around my gym schedule. Then there’s Brazilian Jui Jitsu 3-4 times a week. On the weekends my wife and I hike, kayak, and bike.

At 51 years old I have aches and pains and do sometimes get injured from training. I just adjust my workout in order to recover from injury, but still find a way to exercise.

My diet isn’t perfect, but it is far better than it used to be. No soda ever, and I overall eat cleaner now than I ever did in my life. The weekends I cheat a bit and I do enjoy beer most weekends.

Most people that say they don’t have time just don’t manage their time well. Notice I said most, not all people.

For some it seems like a lot of work to keep fit, but the payoff is well worth it. The APFT is a joke I never worry about. I look at my two overweight brothers and that can’t keep up with their kids. Two out of three of my kids can’t keep up with me. The third kids is also into fitness.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2015 12:46 PM

2015-01-08T12:46:45-05:00

I think it's easy to get lazy. I think it's a natural reaction. I did get lazy and stayed lazy for a number of years and now am getting healthy again. I find it's harder now to get back in shape and wished I had stayed in shape when I got out. If I could offer any advice to newer veterans, please don't get out of shape. You will have a hell of a time trying to get back into shape. I know from personal experience. I have done it but it's harder as you get older.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2015 1:04 PM

2015-01-08T13:04:00-05:00

In part, I have trouble with maintaining a fitness routine because I don't have somebody jumping my shit if I'm not in shape, lol... Add to that mix, a job, having a family, and living in rural Montana (with no facilities remotely near), it's been pretty difficult. Unfortunately, we too often buy into our own excuses. I've let things go for FAR too long and it's very hard to get back into things due to "advanced" age (I'm not even 40, but I'd be an old man in the service right now, lol) in addition to WAY too much extra weight.

The biggest hurdle I've found to get back into things has been to change my mindset. You have to MAKE yourself believe that you WANT to workout/exercise... Once you get past that (I'm using improving my health to be around for my newborn son and getting back into the Army Reserves by the end of the year as motivators), add in a proper diet (also sometimes requiring a change in the way you think) and a program you can stick with (don't immediately go to "I'm gonna run 5 miles a day, 3 days a week" if you've sat on your ass for a decade, lol) and you should be successful.

Response by CW2 Michael Berthiaume made Jan 8 at 2015 1:04 PM

2015-01-08T13:04:32-05:00

Ive found it easier not being on the Armys version of a fitness program. I have picked up Marathon training as well as P90X, Insanity MAX 30 and have turned it into a great side career as well.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2015 4:20 PM

2015-06-18T16:20:38-04:00

Yes. I got out during Christmas and was far too happy to be a civilian once again. I gained 40lbs over what I should be and it's not easy to get off. I've found my fitness schedule very lacking since leaving. As I go back to college, and consider myself one seeking a commission when finished, I really do feel I need to get back on the wagon and get back to the fitness.

Response by CW2 Michael Berthiaume made Dec 18 at 2015 6:10 AM

2015-12-18T06:10:38-05:00

Not really, I actually have greatly increased my Fitness Endurance since retiring and able to fully incorporate my own Fitness Routine instead of the Armys. I've been doing an array of Beachbody programs and running Long Distnaces.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2016 9:24 PM

2016-04-28T21:24:15-04:00

No. I knock it out in the morning and it sets a positive tone for the rest of my day.

Response by LTC Lewis Cox made Apr 13 at 2017 3:16 AM

2017-04-13T03:16:39-04:00

No real problems until I reached my 80s, then I was reduced to walking on my Treadmill 30 minutes a day!!!

Response by SGT Craig Northacker made Apr 20 at 2017 12:29 PM

2017-04-20T12:29:53-04:00

Yes - being disabled and fighting for medical assistance is a full time job.