How many veterans keep in shape after military service?

1SG Keith Jamison — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 20:43:43 -0500

How many of us changed our lifestyles when we left the military? No more waking up early in the morning. No more PT. We can eat what we want and how much we want. Yata Yata Yata! I was guilty of the above and I've been retired almost three years now. Many of us probably heard stories of veterans who either had heart attacks or suddenly died not too long after leaving the military. I myself know of a few. Last spring I had a wake up call which forced me to lose a few pounds and get back in shape. I thought I'd share a link because other veterans maybe headed in the direction that I was heading. I figured after 23 years of service I could now relax and live like I want. Don't get me wrong, I'm a whole lot relaxed, but I added in a physical fitness routine in order to stay healthy. I plan on enjoying my civilian life well into old age, lord willing. Are there any other veterans who have similar stories? Please share. http://milvetsrc.org/5-reasons-exercise-military/

5 Reasons Why You Should Exercise after the Military - Military Veterans Resource Center

Veterans fitness, Healthy Lifestyle for Veterans, Working out after the military, Exercise for veterans

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jan 4 at 2016 8:47 PM

PO1 John Miller — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 20:47:11 -0500

Is round a shape? LOL...

I've actually only gained about 10 pounds since I myself retired a little over 3 years ago. I try to watch what I eat and I walk my dog (85 pound Labrador Retriever). It's not much but it's better than no program at all!

Response by SPC Jillian O'Malley made Jan 4 at 2016 9:50 PM

SPC Jillian O'Malley — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 21:50:09 -0500

After I got out in 2006, I put on a lot of weight. I got to the point where I needed an intervention. In 2009 I had gastric bypass, lost 140 pounds, and have kept it off to this day. I took up triathlon and it became my passion. I have always been a good runner, cycling was easy to pick up, but learning how to lap swim as an adult was a challenge. I'm competitive at triathlon and its what gets me up before the sun every morning to train. I have completed 4 ironman triathlon, 7 half ironman triathlons, and 60 or so shorter distance triathlons

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Jan 4 at 2016 10:22 PM

Capt Tom Brown — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 22:22:27 -0500

Excellent article and excellent advice which every vet retired or otherwise should take to heart. My health insurer provides a free membership to Golds & 24 Hr Fitness which I take advantage of just about every day and have experienced each of the benefits discussed in the article. (Being free also helps). I may not be able to max the MC PT any more, but can honestly say I am right up there in good condition for my age group and hope to remain there for some time to come.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jan 4 at 2016 10:31 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 22:31:39 -0500

1SG Keith Jamison 1SG if you check profile photos, you will not have to ask such questions.

Response by SrA David Steyer made Jan 5 at 2016 1:21 AM

SrA David Steyer — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 01:21:09 -0500

I'm going to consider alternative transportation for whatever I do for my next job, biking maybe even walking. I'm debating if I should get a razor scooter or regular bicycle though.

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Jan 5 at 2016 1:26 AM

SSgt Jim Gilmore — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 01:26:06 -0500

Round is shape, right? Not even close to in shape...

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Jan 5 at 2016 11:52 AM

SSG Audwin Scott — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 11:52:35 -0500

I did for a few years,but since I have had surgery last year I am unable to exercise like I use to.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 5 at 2016 12:25 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 12:25:09 -0500

I don't know what I would do if I did not work out.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Jan 5 at 2016 12:34 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 12:34:50 -0500

I stopped doing PT and the meds I was on caused me to blow up horribly. You know it's bad when all the fast food joints in your area know when you're in drive through by your order. I got off those meds, and went into the VA's MOVE program where they teach you how to eat and track you for six weeks. I lost 10 the whole time. After that it was a nice talk with a doc who seriously recommended gastric bypass, and I went from 400 down to 290-300 in under a year. It's still a lot of weight, but I don't have all the pain I had before, I can dream about eating what I want, but it definitely doesn't work that way, and while I joined a gym before, you'd be hard pressed to see me in it. Now I'm in there at least three times a week with a trainer. I feel better mentally when I'm in there. I always say "Let's break some shit", and it's a motivational thing....except when I go too far and hurt myself. I feel more energized than ever, and while I'm happy with the way things turned out, I kinda miss my stomach. Also something to think about before doing this surgery is if you are on meds, it doesn't matter what kind, how you absorbed them before and how you will after are two different things. I've had to change meds over and over, try stronger doses, or weaker ones to find a "balance". Also your food tastes will change at will. I liked chicken before and after surgery, I HATE chicken now. It really flip flops with no rhyme or reason. I can eat most of the foods I did before, but I waste more food now than ever before. Your eyes tell you to grab that large pizza, but when you get it and reality sets in, maybe two slices in and you are done. Full and Stuffed. I know if I dedicated more time to the walking aspect of fitness, I could easily destroy the APFT again with NO worries.

Response by PO1 Glenn Boucher made Jan 5 at 2016 1:15 PM

PO1 Glenn Boucher — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 13:15:57 -0500

Actually I let myself go prior to retirement and didn't much care once I retired. Even after being diagnosed as a Type 2 Diabetic I just shrugged and continued on my path of not caring.
It wasn't until I had to go to the emergency room for a Kidney stone and my Blood Glucose was over 400 and on the follow up visit with my doctor when he asked me if I had enough life insurance to keep my wife comfortable. I had gotten to almost 300 lbs and was in serious denial. For the past 2 years I have been eating better and doing regular exercise, yes I do slip sometimes but it happens and I just get right back on track and not beat myself up too much over it.
I don't think I was ever in really great shape while active duty, I met body fat standards and passed my PRT so I never had issues with it.
I am in much better shape though now than when I retired in 2004.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2016 3:10 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 15:10:57 -0500

Well, I have a shape, but it's fair to say it's probably not the one I should have kept!!!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2016 11:15 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 23:15:20 -0500

I’m still in that guard, but that has no part in why I stay in shape. I went through a few years where I was on the large side. It sucked. I looked like crap and felt like crap. I always passed tape and APFT, but wasn’t happy with the way I looked. I was 5’9” and 215 pounds. Several years ago I started taking diet and exercise seriously. Now I stay in the 170’s and sometimes drop into the 160’s. I’ll slack off around the holidays, but now have that line in the sand. If I hit 180 I freak out and step into high gear to get back down.

Fitness isn’t a short term goal, it’s a lifestyle.

Response by SGT Chris Hill made Jan 5 at 2016 11:51 PM

SGT Chris Hill — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 23:51:33 -0500

It's amazing to be out! But I still run every night and wake up before 7 and god forbid I cannot stop showing up 15 minutes prior to everything.

Response by SGT Benjamin Lindsey made Jan 16 at 2016 10:22 AM

SGT Benjamin Lindsey — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 10:22:44 -0500

I have been out for two years and I have to say the fitness part has definitely been slacking. This is the main thing I have been trying to work on at the same time. I'm always tired and lacking energy.

Response by PO2 Raven Attwood made Feb 20 at 2018 7:10 PM

PO2 Raven Attwood — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 19:10:26 -0500

I have had times after I left the service when I was healthier than when I was in. I didn't get enough exercise aboard ship--running 3 miles a year and all that. I've never liked running or the standard PT things, so the healthiest I've been is when I commuted by bicycle in college and law school. Now I'm at a desk job and can't bike the commute, it's too far. If there was one habit I wish I had developed in the service but didn't, it would be exercise.

Response by SSG Matt Murphy made Jan 8 at 2020 2:16 AM

SSG Matt Murphy — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 02:16:50 -0500

100 pushups and related exercises every day. Am now 75.