Have you maintained your physical excersize since transitioning out of the military and if so, how have you done so?

SSG Selwyn Bodley — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 22:58:39 -0400

adjusting to civilian life has many challenges and it becomes easy to let PT slip. How have you managed this area of your life?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2014 12:28 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 00:28:28 -0400

LOL. Definitely not. I signed out almost two months ago and haven't done anything since then. I'm ashamed to admit that but I've also had a lot on my mind here. Would like to get back to doing something though.

Response by SPC David S. made Oct 8 at 2014 1:13 AM

SPC David S. — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 01:13:09 -0400

Play rugby. Run 10 miles every Sunday if I'm not busted up.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Oct 8 at 2014 11:23 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 11:23:27 -0400

Yeah, I wish!

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Oct 8 at 2014 11:26 AM

MSG Brad Sand — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 11:26:06 -0400

I have tried to make sure I do things to keep me active. When I was getting close to retirement I would register for running events outside me comfort zone, Marathons, 20Ks and Half Marathons, that forced me to train for them. I am considering doing the same for triathlons...the middle distance ones and/or sprints which I did in the past. Have run into some speed bumps, but keep trying get myself out and moving. I have slipped in running but I was never trying to win anything, just wanted to finish...and not last.

Response by Cpl Victor B Johnson made Oct 8 at 2014 11:27 AM

Cpl Victor B Johnson — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 11:27:02 -0400

Initially, yes. I went to they gym or performed some kind of PT 3-4 times per week. After a while, I was really consumed with working and attending school. Eventually, I stopped altogether. I've gained 50 lbs since then and recently started running 3 times a week. In the past 2 months, I've lost 10 lbs and still working at living a healthier lifestyle.

My primary struggle is making time in the day to actually run. So I'm up early and try to get it in before 6am and commuting to work.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2014 11:30 AM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 11:30:51 -0400

I have maintained my physical fitness by continuing to exercise at least three days per week. I don't usually do my workouts in the morning - I prefer the afternoon - but I am pretty good about getting them in. I joined a local gym, and that's where I work out.

I think the many years of doing Army PT, coupled with the discipline and routine of it all, have made it somewhat easy to continue with a personal PT regimen.

Response by SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS made Oct 8 at 2014 2:59 PM

SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 14:59:05 -0400

SSG Selwyn Bodley ,

With a list of injuries piling up, I am relegated to the elliptical. I work out five to six days a week and take the stairs (up only six flights) at work. I still lift weights, but more reps and less weight is the order of the day.

SFC Joseph M. Finck USA (Ret)

Response by SSG Selwyn Bodley made Oct 8 at 2014 4:13 PM

SSG Selwyn Bodley — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 16:13:33 -0400

For me, its been on and off for the 14 years that I've been out. I do well for a while then get lazy... then get mad at myself and do well for a while. Currently I am in the "Well for a while" phase. I still hate sit ups, but running and getting back into heavy amount of push ups... helps me stay young (or at least feel as though I'm staying young ha ha).

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2014 6:58 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 18:58:33 -0400

I do 3-4 eyelid flutters every morning, move on to 2-3 progressive crunches trying to get out of bed, next is 2 minutes of side of bed toe touches as this will be the only time I am even close to touching them. Then it is a recon shuffle to the head, next is hand to hand combat with my razor and face, as well as pugle stick training with the tooth brush. I take a 15 minute lap in the shower, suit up and do some basic field ration training in the kitchen. I then have a 1 hour CG PFT Ultimate showdown, mad max road ralley into work. Allot of training happening in that hour. I then do 8 hours of subservient wage slave repetitions before an advanced level of 1 hour CG PFT Ultimate showdown, mad max road ralley to home. I finish my pt regimen with several dozen beverage curls, and extended arm remote manipulation drills. I find that this routine done 5 times a week, keeps me in shape... considering round is a shape.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2014 11:44 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 23:44:21 -0500

I moved overseas and sold the cars. I walk everywhere I go and/or take the train. Just going to work and back home I'm walking about 5 miles. I also have a "green smoothie" for breakfast. By doing that I've losted 15lbs since last year. Feel free to message me for recipes.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2014 12:56 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 00:56:24 -0500

I’m national guard, so PT is left up to me. I have over 20 now and plan on hanging it up soon. I’m looking at one more record APFT. I absolutely hate running, but do run once in a while to see where I’m at between PT tests. I get to the gym 4-6 times a week for weight lifting and the elliptical. 3-4 times a week I train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The BJJ alone has helped me on my running. Grappling is very anaerobic and has helped a lot in my cardio. I recently had the opportunity to go to the Mountain Athlete Warrior course at Fort Drum. That opened me up to new exercises. I now supplement my workouts with suspension training using the TRX system. What great about TRX is I can take it with me wherever I go and still get a decent workout. In the warmer months my wife and I hike, bike, and kayak.

Lack of time is a poor excuse. Most people that say they have no time somehow find time to watch TV, surf Facebook or RP. Fitness has to be made into a habit. Even at a slow pace running a mile will burn some calories and help with cardiovascular health, and only take 10-15 minutes. We all have 10-15 minutes to spare.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2023 3:03 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 15:03:52 -0400

After leaving the (Ch) Air Force, I maintain a daily regimen of exercises for my hip muscles to ensure I can still stand and sit at a moment's notice in case I need to go into action (e.g. beer run, couch surfing, armchair quarterbacking).