Is Staying Fit Hard For You??

Sgt Tom Cunnally — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 06:47:24 -0400

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Apr 29 at 2016 6:47 AM

Sgt Tom Cunnally — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 06:47:57 -0400

Fit Habit#1: Movement Daily

The truly fit among us choose to hit the gym or tackle some sort of movement every day instead of getting extra sleep, watching TV or doing whatever else it is that you’d rather be doing. Exercise is a daily habit that simply becomes a way of life, rather than a task that’s begrudgingly undertaken on occasion. Those who adhere to the Fit Life incorporate challenging exercise into their lives so often that – gasp – they begin to enjoy and look forward to it! :)

Fit Habit #2: Eat Clean – Most of the Time

In the Fit Life you choose your meals based on the nutrition and desire. This means plenty of salads, lettuce wrapped sandwiches and lean protein at most meals. Being fit means making it a habit to limit your intake of simple carbohydrates and get lots of protein and fiber.

Fit Habit #3: Little Room For Junk

Truly fit people turn down their favorite junk foods most of the time. Treats and indulgences are saved for special occasions, and the fact that it’s Monday or that there’s traffic doesn’t count as a special occasion (nice try though!). The Fit Life means cutting out simple sugars and harmful, processed fats out of your diet completely.

Fit Habit #4: Push Harder

Living the Fit Life is a constant progression. You push your body to be stronger, faster and better during each workout. There’s no such thing as simply going through the motions of your routine – instead your focus is to consistently challenge your muscles to do more each day.

Fit Habit #5: Control Calories

Forget the unlimited buffet line. The Fit Life requires that you limit your total calories to within an appropriate range for your size and goals. This becomes second nature to the highly active and they learn to scale and adjust based on that day's workout load.

Response by SP5 Mark Kuzinski made Apr 29 at 2016 6:54 AM

SP5 Mark Kuzinski — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 06:54:48 -0400

The older I get the harder it gets. Running has had it's toll on my knees so I have taken up biking and try my best to take a ride each and every day. Knees have never felt better.

Response by MSG Scott McBride made Apr 29 at 2016 7:30 AM

MSG Scott McBride — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 07:30:01 -0400

Not at all. I do 12oz curls daily to keep this temple in pristine condition.

Response by Sgt Christopher Wenzel made Apr 29 at 2016 7:42 AM

Sgt Christopher Wenzel — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 07:42:05 -0400

I have Hypothyroidism and without my meds, it can be very difficult to keep the weight off. Serious dieting and weightlifting is the only way I can stay in some sort of shape.

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Apr 29 at 2016 7:50 AM

Col Joseph Lenertz — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 07:50:32 -0400

I do my pushups in the morning and runs/walks at night. Elbows and knees complain, but I try to ignore them.

Response by Capt Michael Greene made Apr 29 at 2016 9:44 AM

Capt Michael Greene — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 09:44:53 -0400

Excellent topic. The year I retired, I trained for and rode in a 100-mile bicycle tour called the Hotter'n'Hell Hundred in Texas in August. I skied and enjoy the gym for years. Twenty years later, I can barely get off the couch!

Response by MSG Les Amaya made Apr 29 at 2016 9:54 AM

MSG Les Amaya — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 09:54:42 -0400

No if it is part of staying healthy.

Response by PO1 Shawn Satterfield made Apr 29 at 2016 10:03 AM

PO1 Shawn Satterfield — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 10:03:28 -0400

Vary hard, I have a screwed up back and a couple of the pill I am taking cause weight gain. Disabilities suck!

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Apr 29 at 2016 10:27 AM

LTC Stephen C. — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 10:27:53 -0400

Not me Sgt Tom Cunnally! I still look like this! :)

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Apr 29 at 2016 10:41 AM

CSM Charles Hayden — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 10:41:09 -0400

Sgt Tom Cunnally I don't bother with the fitness part. My stretching routine is only to keep from hurting one place or another. I am actually down to doing isometric stretches that do not involve upper torso movement.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2016 10:44 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 10:44:18 -0400

No. I hit the gym in the morning and get it out the way.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Apr 29 at 2016 10:56 AM

SGT Dave Tracy — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 10:56:42 -0400

I think it's harder as one gets older as a (medical) rule. I sure wish I were one of those exceptions to that rule. Runs are harder and slower. Injuries seem more frequent and take longer to recover from. I could tell things were getting harder as I reached my late 30's and early 40s, but I know I have more years ahead of me than behind--unless I get hit by a bus or something.

Still, all is not lost. I pass my PT tests, I'm hitting the gym and running and plan on continuing to do so after I leave the service. Staying fit may not get any easier, but I think I'll be able to handle it.

Response by SSG Michael Hale made Apr 29 at 2016 11:01 AM

SSG Michael Hale — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 11:01:41 -0400

Know I workout at the YMCA, take walks & ride my bicycle

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Apr 29 at 2016 11:34 AM

CPT Jack Durish — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 11:34:05 -0400

Of course it's hard. If it isn't hard, it won't keep you fit.

Response by LTC David Brown made Apr 29 at 2016 11:46 AM

LTC David Brown — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 11:46:27 -0400

No, I started doing Triathlon sprints, run some days, bike some days and swim some does and then some days I combine the above.

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Apr 29 at 2016 12:30 PM

SGT Michael Glenn — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 12:30:57 -0400

Its utterly impossible for me, I cannot walk more than 50 feet, cant stand longer than 10 minutes, I am in need of hip replacements, the spine surgery I had done last year has gone bad and not the L5 is constantly being squished and its nothing but red tape from the VA and hurry up and wait. I so wish I could do just a little but not with this body. I was doing pool exercise but when I told my doc I thought it was helping they cancelled it...go figure.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Apr 29 at 2016 12:41 PM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 12:41:42 -0400

Sgt Tom Cunnally At times it is. Getting ready to get my shoulder replaced so I will have to find something to replace weight lifting.

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Apr 29 at 2016 12:45 PM

SFC Pete Kain — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 12:45:42 -0400

Crap, I achieve training heart rate when I wake up and have a smoke and a cup up coffee. After that it's beer to cool down. Being disabled sucks.

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Apr 29 at 2016 5:46 PM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 17:46:02 -0400

I cant complain except for a gut.

Response by SGT David T. made Apr 29 at 2016 8:52 PM

SGT David T. — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 20:52:20 -0400

I'm in shape...round is a shape lol

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Apr 29 at 2016 10:33 PM

Capt Tom Brown — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 22:33:12 -0400

Staying fit has become noticeably harder as the years creep by. Exercise is limited to a senior membership at Golds where I jog on the treadmill or use the elliptical machine. Main emphasis now is on cardio without exhausting myself in the process. Medical issues preclude sit-ups, crunches, squat thrusts, pull ups and other good old fashioned PT-type exercises. Blessed with good health otherwise. Doubt I could keep up with Sgt Tom Cunnally at this point.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2016 11:00 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 23:00:35 -0400

Being fit and what it means to me also changes as I get older. My recovery time is little slower, but brisk walking is what the Army Wellness Center Recommended to me. I am 50 years old, so my body speaks up louder now , "Do you really want to do that?"

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Apr 30 at 2016 3:05 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Sat, 30 Apr 2016 03:05:55 -0400

I've been trying to suggest something on here for weight control, look at http://www.portioncontroller.com an external double belt nonsurgical abdominal lap band that must be fit and or adjusted only by trained clinical professionals also Medicare approved based on serious science in the US and UK . There are two papers on the website one from the US one from the UK well worth reading it's used with a fairly draconian modified atkins diet yet got my weight down from 342 lbs at 5 ft 7 in to around 257-8 lbs thankfully. Also I've grown to love aikido a blend of judo jujitsu and kendo while for those who might prefer something slower look at also iaido which I've also grown to love look up the US aikido federation a very real and very serious group I've known sevl of those involved for sevl yrs now though I am by no means an expert I just love it due to the complexity of the motions especially the hands and wrists the fluidity reqd, and the sheer aerobic aspect. I've just grown to love the throwing falling arts more than the purely linear arts though that's of course purely my own preferences. I can say that I think that if done properly and slowly that it might help many here there's a rallypoint group for it I have seen the group site for it on here. Iaido is a form of Japanese slow precision swordsmanship using of course a blunted not real obviously Japanese metal sword done for the precision of the motion, though extremely fatiguing due to the repetitive arm and kneeling motions, it looks like it's not fatiguing however I can assure all of you it very definitely is though in a fashion different from aikido yet equally well worth the effort. Any thoughts and or reactions I'd of course be most interested. I'm not sure if the portion controller is accepted by the services however as I'd said it is definitely Medicare approved though I'm not sure how it'd b obtained outside NYC or Long island (LI) though one might call their offices and ask now local clinicians elsewhere might be able to obtain it for those on here who might be interested in trying to use it, many thanks.

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Response by CW4 Dana Ahl made Apr 30 at 2016 11:25 AM

CW4 Dana Ahl — Sat, 30 Apr 2016 11:25:04 -0400

My wife keeps me from becoming a couch potato. I don't necessarily have an exercise program, but our mountain home keeps me busy and fit.

Response by MSgt Richard Rountree made May 2 at 2016 6:25 AM

MSgt Richard Rountree — Mon, 02 May 2016 06:25:40 -0400

Staying fit for me isn't the problem...it is getting back to being fit. After I retired from the USAF, I have had a series of jobs where I sat all day, worked long into the night, got by on just a few hours sleep and ate most of my meals in restaurants. I went from a size 36 waist to a size 48. Weight went to 260 lbs from 185 lbs. About 10 years ago, I started making some lifestyle changes...some my choice and others by necessity. Today, my waist size is to back to 36 and I'm under 210 and still losing. My only real exercise is walking around while working and riding motorcycles. The big change was diet and sleep. I started reading labels on my food and stopped eating (when possible) anything that contained High Fructose Corn Syrup. I also gave up diet soda (pop in Michigan). When I drink pop now, it's sweetened only with cane sugar; however, I drink water, black coffee and tea mostly. I also cut down on processed foods. My thinking was when I was a kid (1960s), child obesity and fat adults were not very common. So, what was I eating and drinking then? And what changed? So I went back to my childhood eating habits, essentially home cooked meals from scratch with simple ingredients and sensible portions (unlike restaurant portions). I also started to get more sleep. The pounds started to come off...my theory is my metabolism went back to 'normal' after dumping the High Fructose and diet soda. I am less hungry and only go to restaurants on weekends and special occasions. Whether this is the panacea to solve the obesity problem, I have no idea...but it works for me. FWIW, I still drink PBR without any negative effects... YMMV.

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made May 4 at 2016 7:45 AM

Sgt Tom Cunnally — Wed, 04 May 2016 07:45:45 -0400

One of the problems I learned as a Trainer at Gold's Gym in CA; was that too many folks were gaining weight because they sat at their desks all day & engaged in stress related bad eating habits. Many had access to gyms at work but don't use them because they claimed they are too busy at work and too tired when they come home from work.
I would stop at Starbucks in the AM before going to Gold's Gym and I tried to tell all of these people that told me all about this; that they should at least try to go for a walk at lunch time or take up running instead of sitting in the cafeteria eating fatty foods and chatting about co workers for an hour.
However I think only a very few paid much attention to what I told them. And the few who did; quit working out after a few weeks because of their busy work schedules in Silicon Valley CA.
I am not sure but it seems to me that too much stress at work is doing a lot of harm to a lot of people, because high stress was causing weight gain in most cases.

I am not smart enough to know how to combat stress in work but do believe diet and exercise can't hurt and may just be a life saver. If only more people would take my advice???

Response by GySgt Steven Robeson made May 5 at 2016 11:19 AM

GySgt Steven Robeson — Thu, 05 May 2016 11:19:04 -0400

My post-USMC career was in EMS/ Emergency Nursing. Spent as much time on my feet and/or walking as I did in the Corps. I'm 60 now and can still put my chin on my chest and see my toes without having to lean forward to do it! That's something, I guess. I also have a tee-shirt that says "Only 60 Year Old In 7 Counties That Doesn't Need A Little Blue Pill!"

Response by SPC Rudy Hawkins made May 5 at 2016 10:44 PM

SPC Rudy Hawkins — Thu, 05 May 2016 22:44:32 -0400

For awhile, staying fit was the last thing on my mind. Because of my disabilities, i didn't think i could go to the gym, until my doctors said it would be good for me, and gave me the ok. Now i keep a steady regiment of working out...at least 4 days a week at the gym, and now i love it. There's not many people at my gym that can out-do me bench pressing. I can get 4 reps of 340 pounds....not bad for a 52 year old !!!!

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2016 3:19 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 May 2016 15:19:13 -0400

nope. I made it a habit years ago and have been dedicated to it ever since. I find it harder to lift heavy weights on a regular basis than it was back in my early 20's so now I mainly stick with cardio/circuit training workouts.

Response by GySgt Steven Hedges made May 7 at 2016 7:01 AM

GySgt Steven Hedges — Sat, 07 May 2016 07:01:21 -0400

fit to do what? I have had medical issues, and I retired at 20 because my knees were bad.. I drank heavy for about 13 years after retiring and then quit drinking cold turkey and quit smoking in 2009. I still do everything I want to do and have a girlfriend that is 30 years younger than me, So what is your concern? I can't run marathons but I can drive 26 miles in about 20 minutes..

Response by PO2 Mike Vignapiano made May 19 at 2016 7:06 PM

PO2 Mike Vignapiano — Thu, 19 May 2016 19:06:43 -0400

Hell yeah. As age increases staying fit gets even garder

Response by MSG Gary Kaiser made Sep 3 at 2017 6:32 PM

MSG Gary Kaiser — Sun, 03 Sep 2017 18:32:07 -0400

I retired in 1997, had a quadruple bypass with a valve replacement in March 2017, doctor said if you want to live, eat right and go to the gym, is it easy to stay fit, darn right. When you come close to death, and someone tells you "if you want to live," its easy to get and stay fit, the alternative sucks. Think about it, and don't wait until someone is saying it to you, or worse, your dead. Reality is reality, get and stay fit!