Posted on Apr 2, 2014
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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?
Fitness
Health
Physical Training
Nutrition
Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 20
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I don't find that as a veteran - I find it as a result of age and disabilities...:)
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1SG (Join to see)
Since retiring in 96, finding and "making" the time to exercise is not the problem for us Veterans, as I've gotten older I've discovered the time issue is more about, the time it takes my body to recover from exercise. I keenly recall playing doing PT every morning and also playing competitive racquetball 4-5 times a week and also hitting the weight room 3 times a week. Now at 59, the blown knee, achilles tendon issues, compressed vertebraes, arthritus have definitely caught up with me. I still get on the racquetball court but at max it's 2-3 a week now as it takes my body a couple days to get over the pain the day after playing. Ocassional light weights in the gym. I have found out that doing a few core (ab) exercises every night has helped with my constant lower back pain. Finding the time is not the issue, my issue is it takes too much time for my body to recover so I could do more of it.
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SGT Craig Northacker
I find that staying as active as I can in life, including mentally and emotionally engaged, is what helps me. Walking my dogs, traveling for work - and with limited mobility now, it is a real workout just to go to a store or make my way through a terminal.
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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.
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.
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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.......
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Sgt Huy Hoang
Yeah, I totally miss the comradery and also the sense of being fit because it's part of the mission. For me, having a young son I have made it my mission to lead a healthy lifestyle so I can be that example for him and my wife. I lead a workout group online if you would like to be apart of a "company" except I won't let you complain :)
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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. :).
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. :).
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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
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SGT Craig Northacker
George whatshisname? (Burns) used to have a couple of martinis every day and smoked several cigars daily as well. Johnny Carson asked him what his doctor thought, and George replied "I don't know-he already died." Perspective is a wonderful thing. Have a great day, everyone!
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SSG Robin Rushlo
SGT Craig Northacker He lived to be 100. My Grandfather lived to 111 smoking cigars every day and adult beverages. Best Health routine I ever had
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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
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
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Sgt Huy Hoang
by combative sports i assume you mean martial arts, I just closed my martial arts school. I was teaching out of my house so I didn't have a lot of room. Also, it was more of a hobby than a career. But as busy as I am, something had to give and unfortunately that was it. Life should slow down a bit in the near future. and I'll get back to that.
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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!!
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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?
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Cpl (Join to see)
CW2 Michael Berthiaume I find that it is more of a lack of motivation, and to be honest my health is allot less motivational for me than a pissed off SSgt. {shrug} Round is a shape...
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CW2 Michael Berthiaume
what Motivates you ? Find that source or your "Why " for needing to stay in shape. It's easy when young, but for an old guy like me who love Steak, BBQ, Brownies, I gotta keep moving, keep the blood pumping so I don't fall on my face from Heart attack. I see all too many people drop dead or have a Heart Attack or such from an unhealthy lifestyle and I just don't care to learn the hard way like that. A little pain daily is soooo much better than those end states.
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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.
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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.
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