How do you get in shape?

2017-10-18T00:29:43-04:00

As much as the DoD would love to be able to brag about our physical prowess, many service members are not always in the best shape. What are the various tips, tricks, routines, or diets that you have utilized to get yourself in great shape? How long did it take you? What were your results?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2017 12:34 AM

2017-10-18T00:34:37-04:00

I've blogged about this a lot, but here's a few things I'd like to highlight -
Do it first thing in the morning as it improves your mental and physical abilities for the entirety of the day.
Find ways to make it fun for you.
Remember anything worth time may require you to make time for it.

http://golivelively.com/2017/08/28/fitness-my-outlet/
http://golivelively.com/2016/12/06/5-common-excuses-for-not-exercising/
http://golivelively.com/2015/08/10/strength-training-basics/
http://golivelively.com/2015/07/27/myfatlossthoughts/

What say you?

Fitness – My Outlet

Music is my therapy. It’s how I deal with life emotionally. resistance training is my outlet. It’s my favorite way to escape life mentally for 1 hour, grounds me daily, and boosts my mo…

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2017 1:19 AM

2017-10-18T01:19:51-04:00

Personally, I was a huge calisthenics freak before I joined the Marine Corps (On the Scrawny side but could still do my 20 pullups, 18 min 3 mile and the crunches for a 300). A few years into the Marine Corps and I realized that I wanted to get a little bigger (Not insane) and be more aesthetically pleasing on the eye. From here I went hard into bodybuilding and followed a lot of higher tier bodybuilders for motivation. I've done probably 200+ hours of research alone on building workout plans and nutrition. I have to say once you get into a lifestyle of fitness and you enjoy it, it becomes easy.
BIGGEST TIP: Enjoy it and do it for yourself, not necessarily the military. Find a reason as to why you want to do it. Also another tip would be follow people who are already successful in their journey for males I'd recommend Steve Cook and for females I'd recommend someone along the lines of Amanda Bucci both are great in aesthetics and strong people.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Oct 18 at 2017 3:40 AM

2017-10-18T03:40:07-04:00

I love aikido, iaido, biking, and swimming....

Response by SGT Aric Lier made Oct 18 at 2017 7:58 AM

2017-10-18T07:58:45-04:00

p90x3 is a great variation to traditional exercises you should have learned in PDLC

Response by SGT David T. made Oct 18 at 2017 12:51 PM

2017-10-18T12:51:06-04:00

Eating all the wrong things. I am in shape. Round is a shape lol

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Oct 18 at 2017 1:08 PM

2017-10-18T13:08:28-04:00

Ice cream, lots of ice cream.

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made Oct 18 at 2017 1:20 PM

2017-10-18T13:20:05-04:00

My dogs take me on walks daily (have 3). I also do a lot of mountain biking in the hills around where i live, 4-5 times a week. I watch what i eat, never smoked, rarely drink. I weigh about 12-15 lbs less now than when i was AD. I wouldn't say i'm in "great shape" by any stretch, but i'll say i'm probably in better shape than the average 55 yr old male.

Response by SGT Mark Halmrast made Oct 18 at 2017 4:02 PM

2017-10-18T16:02:23-04:00

Do or did?

Did: push ups, sit ups, run, ruck run.
Pretty good shape...300.

Do: talk about did. :O

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2017 6:46 PM

2017-10-18T18:46:27-04:00

Define "in shape."

That's the problem. Guys who can ace the APFT with 300+, but can't bench 100 pounds, might think they're in great shape. Guys who couldn't climb a rope if their life depended on it, but run marathons back to back, might think they're in great shape.

So...what's your end state? My workout, as a powerlifter, is going to be dramatically different from yours as a runner. "Great shape" is completely subjective. You can't just collect random tips and tricks and routines and diets if you don't have a specific end goal and expect them to work.

Response by CPT Chris Loomis made Oct 23 at 2017 1:23 PM

2017-10-23T13:23:23-04:00

CrossFit and self inflicted neighborhood ruck marching.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2017 4:23 AM

2017-10-29T04:23:11-04:00

Tips, tricks, routines and diets don't work on their own. Fitness is a lifestyle change. It has to be a part of who you are. If it's not, it will fail you at some point. A diet won't do it alone, although I'd say that getting in shape is about 20% work and 80% diet. You can't put crap in your system (at least when you are over 35) and get results. It's about balance and keeping up with a lifestyle that builds slowly over time and continues on a daily basis. If you are young, your body can do amazing things. I grew up on Hostess and sweetened sugar and I had a body that looked like a Greek statue. As soon as I hit 30-35 I started to lose that because my lifestyle wasn't supporting good health. I wasn't working out enough and I kept eating what I always had. Now I know better. It's easier to stay in shape than it is to get in shape.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Oct 29 at 2017 9:39 AM

2017-10-29T09:39:39-04:00

You always have to combine diet with exercise, no other way to lose weight successfully and maintain weight for that matter. Dieting by itself is a lot more difficult than the combo.