After having a PM convo today with susannah755 whilst walking on a treadmill at the gym (without falling off), then doing weights etc I got to wondering how much effort others are putting into being physically prepared for a SHTF situation.
I am unfortunately the weak link in my family as I have had some major health issues in the past but have thankfully recovered and altered my health substantially. We all four used to go to the gym but a tightening financial situation has meant that only I can afford to go now, being the one most in need. At first I felt a bit guilty that I was heading to the gym on my own but a word from hubby about there being no benefit to the family having a dead wife/mother sent me on my way with a smile.
I would love to do martial arts but can't see that it will happen anytime soon, but I might get some tips from a friend who is a black belt.
At present I concentrate on a mix of light cardio and weights. Grrr....I hate running (proportions of certain anatomy makes running hmmm a little bouncy) so I stick to fast walking preferably hilly, but at least that improves lung capacity enough (my weakest point) that if I had to run then I could for a decent sort of distance/time.
I love doing weights as I LOVE being able to lift and shift things without being concerned about the weight of them.
😆 I'm glad you didn't fall off......I would have felt so guilty.
I'm with you on the fitness - I run with my dogs daily for at least an hour, sometimes more (even with some jiggly bits). I do free weights at home and kick sh*t out of a punching bag. Working in the garden with a mattock too (heavy clay) Nothing organised though. Swimming when it''s warm enough (I grew up on the coast so it's an urge in summer). Start small and work your way up gradually (don't overdo it, but push a little more each time).....it all counts.
Russell Coight....outback legend
Cares you bring up a very good question with "How much effort others are putting into being physically prepared for a SHTF situation" When I was younger this was not a consideration, I kind of took it for granted, now however physical fitness is a part of my prepping. Physical fitness is extremely important on many levels. In any kind of disaster you will be faced with many, many novel and difficult situations that you will need to be physically fit just to embark on them. You may well face medical stresses and challenges that could be debilitating if you are not physically fit to begin with. Mentally how can you get your head around a task if you are not fit enough to perform it? Yes I think both you, Suzannah and many others are on the right track by maintaining an adequate level of physical fitness. It is an important component of prepping.
Remember that fitness has nothing to do with how someone looks. I wrote a comment on SHTFplan that states I have an uncle who is 80 now and was a stout short man with plenty of extra padding who broke horses and farmed everything from crops to livestock. Plenty was done by hand and I was there to help with a pitchfork at the age of 7. This of coarse was when men were men and there was no gym.
As a side note, there was an article I read that said that men were made for strength and women cardio. It had something to do with the way we were hunter/gatherers. Men hunted and needed quick sprints, a keen eye and strength to finish off whatever beast they killed. And women gathered edibles and tended to things like washing and other endurance related tasks. Just because our mindset of what is a man and what is a woman may have changed, it does not mean our genetics have.
Remember that fitness has nothing to do with how someone looks. I wrote a comment on SHTFplan that states I have an uncle who is 80 now and was a stout short man with plenty of extra padding who broke horses and farmed everything from crops to livestock. Plenty was done by hand and I was there to help with a pitchfork at the age of 7. This of coarse was when men were men and there was no gym.
I agree, appearances tell nothing about a person.
As a side note, there was an article I read that said that men were made for strength and women cardio. It had something to do with the way we were hunter/gatherers. Men hunted and needed quick sprints, a keen eye and strength to finish off whatever beast they killed. And women gathered edibles and tended to things like washing and other endurance related tasks. Just because our mindset of what is a man and what is a woman may have changed, it does not mean our genetics have.
I agree again. I couldn't outrun a man (much to my disgust) but I can run for a long time (think rabbit). Endurance (cardio) is my main focus and it costs only time and energy - not everyone can afford to go to the gym as Cares pointed out. Any physical activity that you can manage now will help you to get fitter than you are now. Now if only I was taller.....
Russell Coight....outback legend
Remember that fitness has nothing to do with how someone looks. I wrote a comment on SHTFplan that states I have an uncle who is 80 now and was a stout short man with plenty of extra padding who broke horses and farmed everything from crops to livestock. Plenty was done by hand and I was there to help with a pitchfork at the age of 7. This of coarse was when men were men and there was no gym.
As a side note, there was an article I read that said that men were made for strength and women cardio. It had something to do with the way we were hunter/gatherers. Men hunted and needed quick sprints, a keen eye and strength to finish off whatever beast they killed. And women gathered edibles and tended to things like washing and other endurance related tasks. Just because our mindset of what is a man and what is a woman may have changed, it does not mean our genetics have.
Agreed, Gravlore. Very well put.
I have a few military friends who I still keep in touch with, and who for all intents and purposes are perceived as "moderately obese", but can still run a sub 22 minute 5 km run, climb a rope 4 stories high, and we still have push-up contests every year over YouTube. I can do 85-90 push-ups straight, but I don't weigh more than 160 lbs dripping wet. These guys are up to 110 lbs heavier than I am, and they'll get up to the high 130's in push-up repetitions.
As for your side note on what men and women are made for... it ought to be taken with a grain of salt, but generally, that is the trend. No woman in history, professional or not, has been able to run a sub-4 minute mile, while high school males in track and field routinely do this at track meets. However, when you get into the ultramarathon distances - 100 km to 160 km, the chances of the winner being a man or woman is 50-50. My wife is my match at marathon distances, while I completely obliterate her at 5 km and 10 km distances.
Cheers 🙂
Since I am a student and do not have much of a budget for prepping I find that fitness is the best tool I can hone for the time being. I walk as often as possible, am getting back into running, do weights as the gym and in general I try to do as much as I can with a mind to how my body moves. Knowing your body is extremely important for SHTF situations as you need to know your limits and the only way to know where those are or what your limit FEELS like is to work with your body.
Those rainy days you were saving for...may not be quelled by cash.
cut wood, stack wood, pile wood, dig garden, plant garden, harvest garden, Build cabin. I'm fit. no gym. I impressed my med wife.