Let me begin by saying that I wholeheartedly agree with being prepared for unexpected emergencies and situations as much as possible. This having been said I don't consider myself a survivalist by any means, perhaps its paranoia and fearmongering on the part of others or me being naive. Anyway, after perusing many of the threads in this section of the forum, I rarely see any mention of physical fitness or training as preparations for the SHTF. I would think this would be invaluable to your existence in the case of not having motorized transport or the need to abandon your home and hoof it for an extended period of time. Do any of you include this in your preparations? Hopefully I don't come off as critical, as this was not my intent, moreso it's being asked out of curiousity and intrigue. Thanks.
It should be #1 on the list. Guns and food are great, but if you are to weak to carry them then they are a waste. Any physical fitness training would do, people just need to stay in shape.
It should be #1 on the list. Guns and food are great, but if you are to weak to carry them then they are a waste. Any physical fitness training would do, people just need to stay in shape.
That's one of the things that makes me laugh so hard about the "militia movement" you keep seeing on television.
Most of these guys look like they're so fat they'd have a hard time running to the mailbox in a pair of Nikes!
But seriously, being physically fit allows a person to stay healthier. It boosts the immune system, allows the body to survive longer in the absence of food and water, et cetera.
There is really no downside to being fit, and so many upsides to it...
I expect you'd see a whole lot of people suddenly shaping up if SHTF. The ones that survived the first week would be in fair shape; the ones who made it two weeks in good shape. This kind of situation is Darwinian and there are more ways to die than simply being stupid.
I use to be very physiclly fit. Then came an accident that left me somewhat disabled. Yes I can walk for maybe a mile before my left leg gives out. Thats what happens when you are missing bone from your leg.
I have broken 8 bones. Only the last one (tibia) has been a problem. Seems that a dime size piece of bone did not set and they had to remove it.
So I gain weight simply because it is very hard to exercise. My DR. said to never try to run.
I have taken to harding my home and storing supplies. I live in a smaller town (20K). Access to running water and have to run the deer out of the yard so they don't eat the plants.
But my wife and I arn't running anywhere. If it does come to a fight they will run out of ammo before I will. My big fear is fire. The trees are small but the house next to me burning could cause some problems.
If you arn't broken up like me start walking. Weights are OK but the time walking is better. Weight control and good cardio.
If you can walk 20 miles a day thats good.
I have a reason for my handicap. I can still and often do walk when ever possible. If I want a cup of coffee I walk to the store at the end of the block rather than driving. Little things make a big differance.
Those fat asses might have a plus to those with no fat on them, as the fat asses can sit back and mellow out for a while, letting that lard keep them going. The skinnies will have to feed themselves for energy
Being skinny doesn't mean your in shape. I border on weight controle in the Marine but I run 3.1 miles in 21:00 and can do 17 pull ups, 100 sit ups. There are plenty of skinny guys in my unit who can't do anywhere near what I can. As long as your not excessively fat you can still be in good shape. In fact having some body fat would be an advantage over having very little as you have more stored energy.
Those fat asses might have a plus to those with no fat on them, as the fat asses can sit back and mellow out for a while, letting that lard keep them going. The skinnies will have to feed themselves for energy
Not really.
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At 56, I still train regularly with weights and running. I can walk crosscountry all day long and usually do during hunting season. That being said, people with more fat tend to survive longer during famine. The only problem is, like cattle, they are easy prey and if cooked properly, very tender.
I'm fat and broken down, too. A severe ankle injury with nerve damage then serious back issues has taken me from a 6/7-miles-a-day runner to a big fatty fat pants that can't walk to the mailbox without wheezing (in about 4 years). I can't imagine what the next 4 will bring at this rate, although I have ordered a Bowflex and spinning bike for home so I can try to do a little exercise again.
I am definitely a bug-in kind of guy because of this. If I am alone and have to run, I'll be zombie food real quick. If I'm with someone else, a well-placed shot to the calf will ensure I'm not the slowest!
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Last edited by The_Patriot; 02-10-2010 at 12:19 PM.
I don't think you come off as critical in any way M44Lefty. In fact, I think you bring something up that a lot of people don't think about all the time. Personally, at my house, we hike and bike as much as we can. When the weather isn't compliant, we typically use the treadmill, although I still like hiking in inclement weather...but my wife won't have any part of that so I'm alone on those hikes. I even bought a treadmill that will take heavier loads so we can "hike" with loads instead of just with lightweight jogging outfits on (which one would NEVER be wearing in a bugout situation).
In the grand scheme, my plan is to dig-in instead of bugging out. But one can never be too prepared physically or mentally for any possible scenario.
I am 52, my wife is 43 and our son is 11, so we have to use our son as the common denominator as far as staying in shape. My wife and I are veterans and we live in a military community and have access to the local bases and their gyms. We swim a lot at the local YMCA only because they have a better pool and we tend to eat right which doesn't mean eating gross food. Before I went to Iraq with DoD a few years ago, I trimmed down a good bit more than I already was and made certain that I would pass a deployment physical. Of course, I was not held to the same standards as the 18-19 year old sailors and Marines that were with me getting their pre-deployment physicals; but, with the exception of a hearing deficit in my left ear, I passed just fine. My recommendation is to keep the weight off, do "some" resistance movement throughout the day, stay off the snacks and sodas, and eat right. Good food taste better than junk food anyway. Don't think that in a protracted SHTF situation, you'll be able to barricade yourselves behind crates of ammo, MREs, and Beanie-Weenies. You and yours could very well be carrying a pack and moving fast on foot.
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I used to be in fantastic shape in high school (didn't we all). I was a three year letterman in soccer and cross-country and used to go backpacking on a regular basis. As many of you know, it's easy to get away from a regular physical fitness routine. I guess that was the catalyst for this whole thread. My job, golf course superintendent, does require a decent amount of manual labor, and I'm not in bad shape compared to the average person, but I've definetly lost most of the endurance that I used to have. Despite the fact that I used to be a competitive runner, I've really come to dislike running/jogging for fitness. Springer Mtn. is only about an hour and a half from me, so I think that I might "rediscover" backpacking as a less strenuous and more enjoyable way to get back into shape.
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The sad thing for me is I'm in better shape now than I was in high school. Stupid snow and the idiots running this apartment complex have temporarily stopped my running regimen and I need to hit the gym again. I can still do 4 pullups, versus NONE when I was in HS.
Being in good shape is critical to anything you do in life. I just put together a home gym because I havent been active for the last year do to a number of reasons, some to do with a knee injury and moving across country, job specific, school ect. Now that we are settled again I have been working out and getting back into shape. Being able to work out at home is hudge do to my military schedule I'm alway working off hours and weekends so I can work out whenever i want now. Another reason is a gym membership for me and the mrs. to a gym that has childcare is well over 100 dolars a month so your equipment pays for itself.
Physical Fitness and SHTF 
