Physical Fitness

[Carrot Cruncher]

Just wondering how many people consider physical fitness to be part of their preps. Lots of us have Bug out Bags etc but have you tried walking 10/20 miles with it on your back across uneven terrain ?

Mine weighs in at around 40lb (I know thats fairly heavy but it is carrying everything for 2 people for 72 hours min) but I dont honestly know how far or how quickly I could carry it. Its something I need to do and have toyed with the idea of MrsCC dropping me off on the moor and then me walking home with it on my back....but to be honest, I have been meaning to do it for ages and still haven't

CC

[itsybitsy]

Just wondering how many people consider physical fitness to be part of their preps. Lots of us have Bug out Bags etc but have you tried walking 10/20 miles with it on your back across uneven terrain ?

Mine weighs in at around 40lb (I know thats fairly heavy but it is carrying everything for 2 people for 72 hours min) but I dont honestly know how far or how quickly I could carry it. Its something I need to do and have toyed with the idea of MrsCC dropping me off on the moor and then me walking home with it on my back....but to be honest, I have been meaning to do it for ages and still haven't

CC

Well, I go to the gym regularly, but it's more cardio work than weight training.

To be honest, I'm so used to carrying my handbag around - and it weighs a ton sometimes 'cos it's full of crap - that a 30lb BOB isn't going to be a problem, in fact, it will be much better for my posture because of the even weight distribution!!!

[Damkina]

Despite being on my feet all day at work, I did my first run in years recently and by the time I was staggering up the path I sounded like an asthmatic pit pony!

I'm getting better but no where near how fit I used to be, or want to be. My son said he would come with me for encouragement, but he's like a bloody whippet.

[Damkina]

Deleted for double post. Duh!

[preppingsu]

I think its very important.
If you're BO you will have to carry a load and potentially walk a looong way.
If you're bugging in then you may need to protect what you've got or if out sussing whats going on you may need to out run the scum!
Also, there will be more heavy and sustained work than what we're used to.
I started running again at the beginning of last year and by sept was running 10k. But illness and injury has meant I haven't run for 3 months although I walk daily up a steep hill fast!

What has worried me is how unfit my children are. Both are skinny jims and eat well but my daughter is walking a mile with me each day and shes out of breath and complaining her knees hurt. Shes 11 yrs!!!!!! I blame the schools for their namby pamby sports curriculum..............

So GET FIT whichever way you can. DVD's at home, walking, running etc, most can be done for free.

[janso]

Let us not forget that personal fitness ALSO improves health and well-being, two key areas that enable us to survive a little longer than the next man. Its not easy to initially take up a training plan, but after a few weeks of gentle exercise, the majority normally stick with it as long as it has measured achievable goals, versatility and enjoyment.

Remember, working hours would be longer in a preppers scenario, the real option of defending family and territory, the ability to be involved in sustained heavy lifting either through gardening, shoring up danger areas around the home or indeed, going out and scavenging the local area!

All would incorporate different areas of fitness, let us not forget our mental stamina as well - the positive mental attitude has been seriously linked to our physical fitness.

An all round fitness plan with an accompanying healthy diet is all that is really needed, nothing specialist or money consuming!!

[diamond lil]

I've got ME and some days can hardly get out of bed. Just leave me by the side of the road with a machine gun when the zombies come

[itsybitsy]

I've got ME and some days can hardly get out of bed. Just leave me by the side of the road with a machine gun when the zombies come

Don't worry - we'll fashion some kind of 'contraption' and I'll push you along - as long as you knit me some socks and give me sweeties to keep me going (my favourites are Galaxy and Mint Aero, but I'll eat pretty much anything that's on offer)!

And, I'm scared of zombies, so I can't cannot possibly consider a zombie apocolpyse - not even in the 'Way Out There' section!

[Huorn]

I've outlined what I do to improve and maintain my physical fitness in this thread:
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=319

So yes, I do consider my fitness important. As a father of two I regard it as a irresponsible to allow myself to turn into an unfit lard @rse. I appreciate that others have ailments which prevent them from staying fit, but for the able bodied, why not do things which can provide exhilaration, stimulation and satisfaction as well as fitness.

I do worry about my kids though, as already mentioned, the physical education of our children is pretty woeful at present. Our kids do come with us in boats, walks and camping etc, but it's not easy to do this every week. My eldest will be getting a bow for his seventh birthday this year, something which will provide growth in a number of areas.

CC, have you thought of starting out with a couple of mile walks with your BOB once a week and building from there. 40lb is a fair old weight to start out with, I'm sure you'd see quite a difference to your fitness levels in a short time if you had time to do this a few times a week.

H

[diamond lil]

Ok. A special BOV complete with a granny knitting innit. You can have the chocolate if I can have the crunchy stuff.