Remaining physically fit after leaving the military
 

Whilst in the military we were all subjected a certain amount of physical exercise during training and had to undergo annual fitness checks. What is the consensus of opinion on the amount of personal fitness training we should ‘attempt’ to do each week. It may be interesting to know how people remain fit or indeed if they bother. I know that this is going to give rise to a number of inane suggestions. Sure, I also do a fair amount of weight training with a pint glass.

This post could be under ‘Medical and Health’ but I would be more interested in comments from military personnel, past or present.

If you need to ask, you're probably not doing enough.

Wow, that was a really aggressive reply, and wasn't meant to be. I often don't do enough and have wondered the same. I think that if it of concern to you, alleviate those concerns by doing more until you feel healthy - then maintain.

Alternatively, listen to a physical fitness instructor type person, rather than my inane suggestion.

How does 3 mile run, one weights session and one core stability session a week sound? Do-able?

Golly that was a very fast - not so aggressive reply, thanks.
For the record I walk 20 minutes down a gorge and back up the other side and back every day to get to the office (no road). Every other day I run 5km in the mountains, the first km goes up 160m. I then do 60 press ups and 60 sit ups. I then follow it by drinking far too much beer. BTW I am 56 this year. Perhaps I should drink more beer or reduce the exercise.

I'd go with the more beer!! :ok:

In the same camp as Monroe (TV programme) - exercise can extend your life by 2 years - but if you spend the equivalent of 3 years of your life exercising, what's the point

I'l get my trainers

At retirement I used all my spare wonka to buy a small farm. The daily grind and heavy manual work keep me fit. Got a dog. We walk at least 4 miles daily.
To thos intersted in trying it please watch Steve Martin's Money Pit first, then retire to a proper job!

Exa

At your age, certainly more beer (and a little wine), and I'd be content with that 40 min walk each day - well enough, and think what the rest is doing to your back and knees! They need some TLC from now on -----

Oh, and don't forget the cod liver oil, statins and BP pills.

The Maverick element of me suggests that the day I no longer 'have to' do any phys is probably the day I buy a pair of trainers. However walking has much merit especially when used in conjunction with a healthy diet. ....and if my garden over the last few days is anything to go by, I will not be short of manual labour in my retirement and I am quite sure I have burnt more calories then sitting behind a PC screen. (Reluctant blunties missing the air beneath his wings).

The RAF Pension Payout Dept reccomend sitting all day watching horse racing whilst eating burgers and drinking to excess whilst for breakfast cornflakes and fresh double cream is just the thing. An evening snack of an 24 pack of Walkers Crisps and a few double whiskies will complete the diet! Every month or so take sudden exercise or a hike up a munroe till you feel chest pains, pushing on a little futher will help them go away! :E

I must be fitter now than when I left the RAF.

I can eat far more pies these days.

I run. Usually on errands for 'er indoors.

I have to say I rarely if ever get to do organised / compulsory PT; either it doesn't exist (my current unit) or the bosses suddenly find things for the officers to do just before PT starts! As a result, I have always done my own PT, usually 45-60 mins after work, interval training / light weights but still manage to get light blue on the tests. Now as the only Olympic medal I am ever likely to be in contention for is the most useless individual in the stadium, I would contend that means that getting and staying fit is reasonably easy if you keep it up.

The way I see it having observed my parents, when a gentleman reaches a certain age, the idea of fitness subtley shifts from being able to pass a military fitness test to staying healthy, keeping the old ticker going long enough to enjoy your pension and generally being in a fit state to enjoy life. So if I were you, I would be looking to do enough fitness to keep me mobile and enjoying life whilst also balancing out the odd drinkie and slice of Brie after dinner.

I would have thought a 40 min walk up and down hill would do wonders, but you might also want to throw in the odd light weight session once or twice a week to maintain strenght, tone and make use of the fact that muscle burns quite a lot of calories lb for lb, so more muscle means you can enjoy that extra drinkie :ok:

Very true. While I need some assistance getting to my feet 9gives the upper body a workout :)) the 40 minute walk can be achieved in two sessions as the pub is just 20 minutes away.

Sorry for the slow responce - just got back from the gym :confused:

FWIW, I like the idea of not dropping dead at age 56 and (not that its going to happen anytime soon) should the nightmare senario have ever happened, being able to run really fast for a really long time whilst being chased by Terry and all his friends or members of the Ghadaffi fan club :uhoh:

The RAFFT is a joke, but I know people who still make it look difficult. In the end, its all about self preservation - not so much "fit to fight" , more like "fit to live".

And now I am off to drink beer and watch Liverpool !

Happy Easter all, especially those out in club med / AFG :cool:

I am advised to raise my pulse rate to double for 20 minutes three times a week. Ideal at my age because sex does that but it's getting difficult to sustain for 20 minutes and to persude my wife that it is good for me!

Exercise extends your life by two years???? Does that mean you have two additional years reclined in a rocker with druel dripping down your chin or you just get the same rocker time two years later?

Is that a cross between gruel and drool? That's plausible, I suppose.

Just completed my annual civvystrasse CFT. 20 miles over (ie up and down, mostly up) the Berkshire Downs in four hours, in 24C. Not bad for nearly 52 :\

20 miles in 4 hours? Yer car's buggered mate!:ok:

CG

I would suggest that by far the most critical aspect of maintaining fitness comes about through a change in attitude. A person needs to recognise that the body won't always be there when they need it unless they incorporate a regular maintenance regime. As the chronology mounts up "Use it or lose it" must become an unspoken mantra.

Up to the mid thirties, for most their body will fulfill any demands placed upon it. During the next twenty years, there is a gradual deterioration, often ignored. By mid to late sixties, bits start to fail unless adequately maintained.

Whilst the medical professions can "patch up" worn bits, the repair will never work as well as the original. So ongoing maintenance becomes a daily neccessity, with a need to keep pushing the envelope, because once relaxed it becomes incredibly hard to retrieve the outer limits.

As a regular golfer I never cease to be amazed by the number who choose to drive around the courses in carts rather than walk. At 67 plus, I never ride. If I can't walk the course then I would see very little to be gained from the time spent, believing that just swinging a club isn't much better than playing a game on a computer screen.

I can still fit into my uniform trousers now after 12 years.

I was a fat git then as well ! :ugh: