Are you "fit" to hunt?

[Covey]

I am 6'2" 190#,I work out regular but I use my own body weight set ups, push ups, pull ups, bar dips, etc... walk 3 to 4 miles every other day, I would like to run and I do some, but a messed up knee keeps me from doing alot of it. I try to eat right, lots of fiber, low fat, I don't like pop so no promblem there, drink water most of the time! I do all of this at home and I go to the local park to walk! by doing what I do I have increased my draw length 1" no kidding!! Jason

[Manitoba Stickflinger]

P90X....Crossfit....great choices! These styles of training aim to train muscles while keeping your heart rate up.

I used to love pushing as much weight as I could on the bench press for example.....have I ever needed that type of strength....NOPE! P90X or Crossfit will help an individual gain "practical" strength while increasing your cardiac capacity. Great choices for overall fitness and conditioning. Be sure to not push too hard too soon.....Ryan

[pappabearsnuffer]

I just turned 35 this year been commuting to work by bike for about a year and a half. 6'1 245(cause I still love to eat). Also been scouting my hunting lease on mountain bike. Lift weights three days a week and feel like I could still drag some deer this year.

[George D. Stout]

Don't go from couch potato to power lifter or you will be even worse for the wear 8^).  People don't realize how much they eat, and most don't get simple exercise.  Thumbing a remote isn't exercise.  Even getting outside to walk on a regular basis will help.  And, the more you exercise...over a period...the less junk food you will crave.  Turn off the television.  Get out of the house and get the cardio/pulmonary going again.  

At our family reunion, I opened a few eyes with the nephews, when old Pap could throw a football over their heads at near forty yards. I'm 63 and they are in their thirties or early forties.  And, I'm not that svelt, 18 year old that could chuck one about sixty or so at one time.  But I use my joints as much as possible to keep them strong.

I think we all carry more baggage than we did as younguns, but there's no reason not to do the things we used to do.  The old, use it, or lose it, phrase takes on real meaning once you get in the final half of your life.  Excuses won't help...I tried that too 8^).

[Shore08]

Get a friend to help out. If you have a partner, it will make it so much easier for you. If you don't feel like hitting it hard today, your partner can motivate you, and vice-versa on the days they just aren't feeling it. The friendly competition helps a ton too. I have a job that requires a high level of fitness, and we keep each other motivated and keep our workouts varied so that we are always pushing outselves. Make it fun, and it will be much easier for you.

[D. Devall]

the p90x system looks awsome. hopefully i'll be moveing to another school that actually has a football team here soon, so i'll get back to my old tree-trunk-ish self.

[SlowBowke]

It can be tough AND "sneaks" up on you.

Three times in MY life. LOL (old dog cant learn new tricks for squat = ME).

Twice Ive dropped 40lb pounds in 3-4 months simply by NOT drinking anything with any kind of sugar and drinking LOTS of water while using NOTHING BUT an eliptical trainer at the spa.

I simply did what I could, recorded the time, and beat that time the next trip.

All spas have them and normally in front of a tv which makes it easier for me when I got to 45 min or so.

Gotta do it again.

Injured at work last Oct, continued to work while it got worse...long story short, terminated at work BECAUSE of it even though I was NOT missing work so in the middle of a big legal mess.

IN the months of not being able to do much of anything, I gained almost 40lbs.

Pain has lessened enough I get around pretty good now but things like mowing the yard tear me up for days. (Work comp dumped me saying they cant help so no more medication either, lovely)

Hoping the eliptical trainer will still work (has bars to LIGHTLY hang on to, not help take the load off your legs), so hoping.

For those serious, ask the local spa about an eliptical trainer. It's adjustable to start where ever you wish or need to, and time, speed and even resistance is adjustable.

Keep records and "beat yourself".  It's worked fast for me, even though in my mid 50s.

Just my experience. I'm sure other things work but this is a "low impact" exercise that works the larger muscle masses safely without pounding your ankles and knees.

Wish all luck. It's a never ending battle for me it seems. I have other things Id rather do. lol

[fireball31]

one word. crossfit

[freefeet]

I bust my rotator cuff in my right shoulder lifting an old wooden army table in February setting up the tea tent for my archery clubs open shoot day.  That was my wake up call to get a lot fitter.  Years ago i used to lift the same tables when i was in the army with no problems at all, now at 44 (45 in October as well) i found my all round fitness and strength seriously lacking at the wrong time - when i was lifting tables - and i ended up hurting myself really badly.

I ended up paying for the physio course at...  http://www.curerotatorcuffinjury.com/  and started that in March.  It's a fantastic course and has enabled me to start shooting my bow again two weeks ago, although my strength pulling the bow is about where it was last November, so effectively i lost 9 months from my archery.

The course above had plenty of follow on exercises once the main physio repair bit was over, and i've put myself together what i consider to be a very good all round upper body weight training regime from that which i do every other day after shooting my bow.  I tend to do about an hour on bow and then about an hour and a half weight training and stretching.

The day in between that i do lower body, which basically consists of walking down the beach and up over the 200 foot cliffs behind the beach, usually with weighted pack.  The beach is great cause it's four miles of soft sand so really low impact, but incredibly hard work.  It's about 9 miles round trip.

With hindsight, i think the injury was a good thing because it made me realise that if i want to do things like trad archery and enjoy life to the full for many years to come, then now was the time to start working on my fitness and well being.

As someone said above, getting fit is the hardest bit, once your fitness starts to improve you really begin the enjoy the exercise and now i even look forward to it.

Good luck.

Stan

[joe skipp]

When you work 5pm to 5am in a warehouse environment, finding time to exercise is tough, especially when family needs are a constant.

However, at 57 yrs, I'm no longer 145 lbs with a tight waist. I've been 160 for 3 yrs now but maintain the weight. I eat 2 medium size meals a day, 1pm and 11pm at night. I throw around some heavy boxes/crates at work and this keeps the upper body pretty much in tune.

For my legs...I stopped jogging years ago and concentrate on plenty of walking, especially up hills. Its important to keep the calf muscles in shape. I also put about 30 pounds in my backpack and walk up and down hills with that. By the time Sept deer season hits, my legs and lungs are in good working order.

As far as any weight program...not enough drive nowadays. My hardwork, ball playing days are behind me and I'm satisfied with my present conditioning. NOW..if I was to head out west for Elk (if I draw a dam tag), I would visit the gym and use one of those step machines 4 times a week to get the legs in "climbing shape".

It pays to stay in some sort of shape, maintain a certain diet (Sorry Biggie) because the older we get, we risk too many health factors. Every year we hear of hunters having heart attacks while either climbing or dragging deer out. Just my 2 cents....Keep the Faith.........   :cool:

[Dave Bulla]

Sounds like I'm not the only one who needs to get off my but.

Several of you have mentioned the crossfit.  I think I've heard the name but don't know what it is.  Is it some sort of machine like a bowflex?  Not sure if I want a machine.  I've got a full free weight set along with bench, squat rack, pull up bar, lat pull down etc.  Heck, if I put all the bows, arrows, camo, etc away that's piled on it, I could even use it!

My basement looks about like Mr Whoopies closet if any of you remember the old Tennessee Tuxedo cartoons.... Of course we're gonna do a yard sale next weekend so maybe I could sell a bunch of the non hunting related junk I've aquired over the years to make some room.

I was also thinking of maybe an online "incentive program" for some of us here at tradgang.  One place I worked years ago, I saw guys get together to motivate each other and to make it a little more serious, each guy threw $100 into a kitty and they all agreed that they person who lost the most weight by a certain date would get the money.  It was actually quite interesting to see even as a spectator.  Really kept them guys motivated.  I think there were 5 of them so the $500 prize was serious incentive.

[joevan125]

Im 41 yrs old and i have always been able to eat what i wanted when i wanted it. Well let me tell you those days are gone, just in the last yr i have went from 185 to 230 OUCH. I guess it time to start taking care of myself a little better.

[gregg dudley]

The IPOD is the best weight loss aid that was ever invented.  Without it I have to make myself run.  With it, I have to make myself stop.  It is amazing what music can do for your attitude.  

Watch Last of the Mohicans.  Slip your sneakers and IPOD on and head out for a run with the theme music playing.  You will amaze yourself.

[gregg dudley]

As for diet-concentrate on replacing certain foods.  I have cut candy bars, coca colas, and mayonaise from my diet.  I thought I would die without them.  I substituted healthier alternatives and now I much prefer them to the originals.

[Doug in MN]

At 56 I am 6' 2" and 205 not to bad (Should still get rid of another 15#). I have to work out daily or my back goes bad. I walk and use an old Nordic track. Also light to mid level weights 2X weekly.

My back and neck are my problems.

D

[jimmerc]

I was in the same boat the last couple years,overweight,out of breath! This last years hunting season was rough on me so I quit smoking,started walking 5 times a week for 3 to 5 miles at a quick pace, lost 30 lbs and feel strong and better than ever, Except for a couple bad disks in my lower back that have been bothering me for 7 years, but that doesn't stop me or slow me down to much! I don't hunt from the trees any more, all at eye level,ground blinds or still hunt/spot and stalk!! Jim

[hvyhitter]

NOPE...and going to buy a gamecart to help drag out my deer.

[Three Arrows]

Going to rent a fit guy to haul my deer.  

[oxnam]

1+ for the P90X.  
My wife and I got it a while back and we both like it a lot.  Pretty simple concept, ie. do pushups and pullups for 45 minutes every other day and surprise your arms get ripped.  Great program that provides a lot of variation and gives an extremely well rounded workout.  You will get out exactly what you put in but pace yourself becuase it is tempting to push beyond what is prudent.  Plan to spend 45-75 minutes per day.  Best total fitness program I have ever seen.

[freefeet]

Originally posted by gregg dudley:
The IPOD is the best weight loss aid that was ever invented.  Without it I have to make myself run.  With it, I have to make myself stop.  It is amazing what music can do for your attitude.

There's podrunner...   http://www.djsteveboy.com/podrunner.html

Click on the archive button and it lists a load of mixes all at different bpm.  It's all techno-ey stuff, but if you can live with that it's good for repetative exersize where you want a set beat speed the whole way through, like treadmill, cycle, rowing, skipping etc..  Each mix is about an hour long.