PT standards for Veterans?

2014-12-16T12:07:49-05:00

Once you're out, you're out! Or are you? Are you the type that you feel your enlistment never expires? Do you still keep a state of physical readiness? (Weight lifting, dieting, running, cycling, yoga, kettle bells, HIIT, CrossFit , or swimming) Which is your work-out?
I am not going to be the one to tell you that you are obligated to maintain a constant state of physical fitness, but I guess I will ask, why wouldn't you? If you are bent and broken, that is one thing, but even SMs that can't run anymore, can lift weights, or swim and cycle? Are you maintaining any sort of regular fitness now that you are out? If you are not, what is holding you back? What is a realistic standard for veterans? I will include my opinion and keep it simple. Maintain a healthy BMI (body mass index) and a 1st class PFT score...at a maximum, 2nd class as a minimum. Eat low carb, and moderate use of alcohol are keys to good health...add those in there for good measure.

Response by Sgt Adam Jennings made Dec 16 at 2014 12:48 PM

2014-12-16T12:48:30-05:00

I'm not going to lie, I've let myself go a little bit since I got out. Mostly due to the work schedule I used to have. Now that I'm in college though it's game on. I try to hit up the gym and lift everyday and this coming semester I'll be adding in a lot of cardio.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Dec 17 at 2014 12:04 PM

2014-12-17T12:04:36-05:00

I think that too much emphasis is placed on living longer. Doctors as well as quacks besiege us with advice and sure-fire solutions for remaining fit so that we can live forever. Well, that ain't gonna happen, is it? We all owe God a death.

Instead, I think we should be more concerned with disability.

I am always inspired at the way in which people who have suffered disabling injury and disease learn to adapt and cope. Disabled veterans are among my greatest heroes. However, disabilities arising from poor diet and lifestyles are self-inflicted and may be avoided.

I know. I have fought the battle of the bulge all of my life. No, it's not about self-indulgence. My body simply processes food more efficiently than most draining every calorie from every morsel I ingest. Interestingly, I also use oxygen more efficiently than most. When I taught SCUBA diving, I used less than half the amount of air as other experienced divers. Thus, diet is a way of life for me. Ultimately, I learned to control my weight through portion control rather than denying myself anything. In other words, I eat anything I want, only limiting the amount.

For those of you who suffer similarly, let me suggest MyFitnessPal.com. It's a free service in which you can record diet and exercise. Without detailed records you cannot control you diet. One of the great things about MyFitnessPal is that it has a vast database of the foods we eat and the places where we go to eat. It allows us to plan ahead rather than smacking ourselves later as we ask, "I shouldn't have eaten that much!"

One last word... Develop a sense of humor before you age. There's nothing sadder than seeing old people getting crotchety over their aches and pains as well as the mistakes they make. We all become a little more concerned with the hereafter. (I often find myself standing in front of a cabinet wondering, "What the hell am I here after?") It's far better to laugh at yourself.