Are you physically prepared?
 

Obviously a true SHTF scenario would be physically challenging to say the least. Survival of the fittest! I'm just curious as to how many feel like they are physically prepared for such an event? If so, how have you prepared?

Personally, I lift weights and run 30-40 flights of steps 3-4 days per week. In the event that I'm too busy to make it to the gym, I supplement my own modified version of Matt Furey's combat conditioning. I also train off and on in MA (schedule permitting) and in the warmer months, the wife and I like to take daily brisk walks and even do a little hiking. While I honestly don't feel overly prepared for a catastrophic event, I'm definitely in way better condition than the typical sheeple. So, how about you?

Re: Are you physically prepared?
 

Fat and slovenly, thank you very much.:s9:

Just kidding. Don't drink, smoke or over-eat. Working on my exercising. Need work in that area.

Re: Are you physically prepared?
 

Where do you find a 40 story building with an open stairwell? The best I can do is 14, since the larger buildings always have the stairwell closed off unless the fire alarm is pulled (and that makes it really hard to run up the stairs!)

Re: Are you physically prepared?
 

My gym. They installed a two-sided flight of steps with a platform at the top. So you can run up to the platform, down the other side, then back. I run the equivalent of 30-40 flights. Good stuff!

Re: Are you physically prepared?
 

I appear pretty damn fit. Lift weights, low body fat, but thanks to my parents (who have never been overweight either) I'm saddled with high blood pressure and terrible cholesterol levels. They say "eat healthy and excercise", but what can I do since I do "exercise" and I don't eat much if any red meat or "fast foods"? My father, who's always been active, had quaddruple bypass surgery at 55 and my gradfathers all died of heart failure, so I guess I'm screwed in the ticker department.

Re: Are you physically prepared?
 

That sucks. I'm not a nutrition expert but I know there are foods out there that reduce bad cholesterol and lower blood pressure, maybe some searches or more knowledgeable members could yield more info. Different people also have different dietary requirements based on individual quirks and ethnic background. Many groups like the SouthWest Indians were adapted to a feast/famine lifestyle for millenia and now have to be careful about weight problems because of ready access to refined sugars and steady availability of high calorie foods. My own metabolism requires a very high ration of protein and water and low quantity of sugar.

Re: Are you physically prepared?
 

I feel your pain...I'm blessed with wonderful genetics myself. I get the cholesterol from my mother's side and both sides have issues with heart disease. I know its sucks, but I've found that cardio does help with the BP at least. I blew it off for a few years and just lifted, but then started noticing my BP inching up every time I would check it. That and when I started MA, the younger guys kicked my ass after I would tire out. Since I've been running my steps, my BP has dropped a lot and is now very good. So if you are not already doing some good cardio, it would likely help you. I know it sucks, but not as bad as giving up the T-bones and Ribeye's...:D

Oh yeah...try eating some fruit and oatmeal for breakfast for the cholesterol. It really does seem to help. That reminds me, I need to get mine checked again btw...

Re: Are you physically prepared?
 

Check out Dr. Mirkin . He is a Medical doctor, who had tremendously high

cholesterol levels when he was young, figured out a diet that would bring

his cholesterol levels down, ran marathons and he is getting old now. He

also wrote a part of the Merck Manual on sports injury, do his program

and you will live long and healthy. Good luck. http://www.drmirkin.com/

Re: Are you physically prepared?
 

Thanks for the info Shadow, I'll check it out.

Re: Are you physically prepared?
 

Drafter , cholesterol can be managed if you're worried about it. I'll assume you don't want to take one of the prescription statins ( I wouldn't). My father had high cholesterol and was started on Mevacor (the original statin - they're all pretty much the same stuff anyway), I believe , back in the late 80's. He had to stop. Not due to elevated liver enzymes like most who are unable to take them , but because of a muscle enzyme problem, that can happen, though fairly rarely.
Anyway , he discovered Niacin.
See the latest edition of book by Robert Kowalski for recent research and recommendations. He has a newsletter too I believe. There are now timed release products available, from company's such as Endur, that pretty well do away with the unpleasant "Niacin flush" experienced when taking high dosages of Niacin (and keep in mind, these are medicinally high dosages), but Niacin has a 50 or 60 some odd year track record of effectiveness and safety. It's a pain in the ass to take it 3 times a day though , which is why most people don't stick with it. Father's has been well below 200 for 20 years now. fwiw.

Re: Are you physically prepared?
 

Everybody keeps saying "Lipitor", etc.... I just don't want to be saddled to prescription drugs. I'll have to do some research. The truth is I just had all this stuff checked recently so I'm still a bit stunned at how "bad" it really was considering I look and feel healthier than ever, but I knew my family history might be a problem. I'm going to get checked again in a couple of weeks, so I'll see what alternatives to meds there are.

Re: Are you physically prepared?
 

I work out 3 times a week, two for strength/muscle (weights), one for cardio (stationary cycle). Also, have been in and out of various martial arts since I was five (I'm 40 now).

Beyond that, regular training with the Glock and M1.

Re: Are you physically prepared?
 

BW made a long post to another member at VOY/Kitco.
Don't know what the other poster's whole story was, but
HBP was a major part of his problem.

I can't link the post. Search at VOY/Kitco doesn't work,
and archives only go back a week or so anyway. Here are
the items he talked about for lowering HBP.
_____________________________________________

Celery five stalks/day, also celery seed.
Vitamin C along with bioflavinoids, such as bilberry.
Fish oil
Omega 3s, (salmon, wild only)
Flax meal
Fiber supplement
Magnesium
Potassium (brocolli, figs, raisins, prunes, bananas)
Calcium (green leafy vegetables)
Lycopene
Tumeric
Hibiscus tea
Ginger
Raw onion/garlic
Low sodium V8
Hot peppers
Proper body weight
Dandelion
Hawthorne
L-Carnitine
Lemon peel
Beans
Vitamin B6
Grapeseed
Policosanol
Buckwheat
Kudzu
Reishi mushrooms
Cayenne
Fennel
Parsley
Chamomile
Kelp
Curry
India Mint
________________________________

BW didn't say it but processed tomatoes,
tomato paste, or even catsup are a good
source of lycopene.

For a few of his recos I would consult
with a doctor, but most of his recos are
in the why-not-try-it category.

BW also gave a list of things to avoid.
You know what they are. But avocado
was a surprise nixed item. I'm not gonna
quit eating avos, too much other good stuff
about them.

dtnwn

Re: Are you physically prepared?
 

What I like about Dr.Mirkin is he "Talks the talk and walks the walk ". His is

not just theory, he's lived it for over 40 years. He's Board Certified in 4

Specialties,

his hobby is reading medical journals, so he keeps current, actually mostly

ahead, of current medical thought and yet he believes very strongly in good

whole food for nutrition. In the beginning, his cholesterol was so bad they

didn't think he would live very long now he is writing 40 years later.Thats why

I like him. Check his information out and use what you can. Mirkin does his

due diligence. And no I am not a relative or paid shill. LOL :smile:

Re: Are you physically prepared?
 

Goldfinger,

I can give LOADS of great advice here as I am an avid (psychotic) fitness buff. I also have experience as an NCO in fitness training.

First off I lift weights daily for about an hour to two hours every morning mon-fri. Weekends I spend sometimes resting and working on the home but once or twice a month I go hiking, running or do push ups and sit ups with friends.

In a shtf scenario strength only matters for certain things that will build over time. I suggest running push ups pull ups both chin and pull.

Run distance jogs one day and short fast runs others. jog awhile on a run then sprint for awhile then jog again it's called an interval run. It helps expand the heart and increase lung capacity.

Do push ups both wide arm and diamond.

To increase mass do pull ups with weights or a back pack on 5 sets of 5 then one at a time till burn out. Then once you've gained as much muscle as you want then drop the weights and do 3or four sets of 10 reps to maintain and increase strength from the weight you've put on. Tis also go's for those who are fat. Don't lose the fat first. Gain the muscle and stregth first then lose the fat.

Personally on one of my run days I load up a pack with 50 - 70 lbs and run a mile as fast as it feels comfortable. And most importantly eat right.

If you are worried about cholesterol then eat low fat foods especially grains. Oatmeal , and olive oil daily are great.
If you have naturally high cholesterol as I do then oh well. Work out and eat right and let fate take it's course.

If you are over forty then consult a physician before working out and don't push yourself too hard. Especially too early. When you begin go slow for awhile and gradually increase.

If you are snowed in then take some advice from our prison population and do lots of push ups and crunches, flutter kicks, jog in place for a long time and do seated dips betweena coffee table and chair. Add weight to your lap as appropriate.

If any more questions don't hesitate to ask. Muscular fitness is my specialty.I absolutely love it. If you want a good video go to www.brigadequarter master.com and get a Navy Seal fitness video. I have never used one but a Seal and Marine recon NCO'S schooled me early on in my military days when it came to their PT and it really is good stuff.

Re: Are you physically prepared?
 

I wish I were more physically fit. I MUST learn to wean myself from fast food - but damn, does it taste good! I'm not obese, but my chloresterol level is sky high. My MD has prescribed a statin drug, but l would prefer not to take any prescription medications. I don't know how true it is, but was told that for many folks with high chloresterol levels that dietary control alone works only 10% of the time. I will turn 50 in April and I must become more motivated to exercise on a regular basis and eat better. There is an old Marine Corps saying "Can't Means Won't".:yippee:
Mod1

Re: Are you physically prepared?
 

That saying is correct.

When I have not run for awhile and I think about it and feel bad for letting myself get out of running shape I just go out and run. Just go. Sprint to your car in the morning before work and the same after.

Get pissed off and just stop eating crap and go work out.

My motivation for my mental problem with physical fitness is that I want a certain career (not military) and am working towards it. Plus I was skinny as a kid and hated when I lost a fight. Plus I live and have lived in bad parts of the city all my life. I am scared that someone bigger and stronger will kill/hurt me or a familt member.
When I am struggling on a rep or am feeling lazy I think of someone on top of me trying to end my life to rape ot kill my wife and baby to be. I get enraged and either pump out the reps hard or beat the bag to death or I get off my A** and go to the gym or run.


I suggest get pissed off and stop eating crap. Spend the extra money to prepare nice meals at home and spoil yourself with your god given right to good food.

Re: Are you physically prepared?
 

Nope, need to starve for a couple months. About all I do is cut wood. Not in the best shape, found that out in November when I dragged a buck out of a third of a mile of cattails then up a 100 foot high 45 degree slope river bank hill. Felt it for two weeks. Glad it wasn't a big buck! Have to find a good gig for a lazy 60+ body. Used to do a yogi set of 21 reps of five tough exercises includeing spins, then kick and shaddow box.

Think that most heart disease is caused by the junk processed oils in the diet that produce bad blood vessel cell walls that continue to break leak get infected and cause the body to plaster them over with it's natural "bandaid" that nasty horrible C stuff that a normal liver produces about a half pint of everyday. Have went back to cooking with bacon fat, butter, and cold pressed coconut and olive oils only. Modern "medicine" is a undeclared stealth war on our health full of lies like the big C one. Started figureing this out when I lived in Alaska where the natives never have heart disease as long as they stick with the bush diet and eat a lot of caribou which has 10 times the amount of the nasty nasty C that beef does. The French live four or five years longer than Americans and some say that it is because of the red wine that they drink, they never stop to think that the French cook in butter.

Re: Are you physically prepared?
 

Sindgefallen, you touch on a good point there. Physical training also involves and develops a degree of discipline and mental toughness. I would think such qualities would be quite valuable in a true SHTF scenario. Many times, when people are in desperate survival type situations, they end up perishing because they either panic and/or simply give up. I can't help but think sucking it up and working out, doing that extra rep or running that extra mile doesn't at least in some ways help prepare you for the physical and maybe even mental discomforts. After all, they say pain is just weakness leaving the body! May as well get as much of it out as I can now...:emotions16:

Re: Are you physically prepared?
 

Not at all, really. I'll be one of the first ones to get whacked. It was nice knowing ya'll.

Re: Are you physically prepared?
 

for those that are interested in stabilising their blood sugar levels (type II diabetics), try natural brewers yeast, high in the B groups, aids digestion and if you have too much your brain starts trippin' (in a good way). Great to help you think....:adore: Have it following a meal, not alone. :coolbeer:

Fitness is one thing but i really think being supple and flexible can have equally great benefits....things get stringy and sinewy with age...

Re: Are you physically prepared?
 

Hive-

You have a PM.

Re: Are you physically prepared?
 

Even just a mile and on trails, I'd recommend against running with 50-70 lbs of weight strapped on. It's real hard on the joints and connective tissue.

Re: Are you physically prepared?
 

Re: Are you physically prepared?
 

natural brewers yeast has been shown to increase your concentration of high density lipids, and decrease the nasty LDL's

http://www.mothernature.com/Library/...ooks/23/15.cfm

Use it every day and I definatly have a 'phsycological determination' that is somewhat absent without...:bowdown: you will thank me.....

Re: Are you physically prepared?
 

Great point on the brewers yeast Aeondaze.

My father in law is type 1. I wonder if there is anything he could do.

Goldfinger, you are right on about the mental toughness part. Another tidbit is that regular excercize helps expand the veins and flood all pertinent parts of the body with fluids. This helps with hydration. Keep in good shape so that you won't be as susceptible to heat injuries when water rationing is key or when working in warm/hot enviroments.

50-70lb pack running is not a reccomendation just what I do. It does put stress on the joints but in old age I will just have to pay for it. That is essential to running with all your gear on offensively or defensivley. When your life is in danger drop it if you must but me I am not.

Re: Are you physically prepared?
 

Not really sure about type I, I don't have type 2, but use it as a preventative.

Dehydrated it stores well, I would be keen too see if there is a particular strain that is known to produce the Chromium and B groups in larger volumes than others...is it the same yeast used in beer? I heard they grow it on sugarbeet or something...

here is link that may provide some alternatives...

http://www.peacehealth.org/kbase/cam/hn-4371007.htm

Re: Are you physically prepared?
 

I played club soccer from when I was four until I was 18, at a pretty intense/competitive level. Never knew what exercise was.:tongue_ma: I just played a game I loved. We practiced a LOT, and playing center midfield involved a ton of running and physical confrontation with other players. Used to be able to do a 5.30 mile... and all I did was play a game.:character

Now, some years later ... sitting at a desk most of the day, not eating as well as I should, not exercising much... starting to get a little flabby around the midsection. Also not as strong as I'd like to be. I've been doing weight training off and on for months now, and just started running a few nights a week recently. Also trying to eat better and not as much (but I absolutely LOVE to eat). For the weights, I'm focusing on compound exercises: overhead presses, pullups, bent rows, deadlifts, bench press, squats a bit, crunches. Just need to stay committed to it, and not do it for a few weeks then get "too busy" (more like too lazy).:bear_whistle:

I think I can say though that regardless of a bit of flab, I'm in fairly good overall shape. I think it just has carried over from having a pretty athletic childhood. Currently 6'1" and 205 lbs, 32" waist (but need to pack on some more muscle :beer: ).

Re: Are you physically prepared?
 

I'm out of shape, but not too much overweight. I'm in better shape than a lot of women my age, but no real athletic anymore (used to be). I am not prepared, I am absolutely not prepared mentally or emotionally, I do NOT want to see our economy and people destroyed.

Ok, banish those thoughts for a moment. Some interesting info. on cholestrol. My sister, 240 last year (me too) she got on TriVita (I am NOT doing this for TriVita) HCY Guard, Vital4; brought ALL her levels down to fanatastic levels, she did NOT change her eating habits. Her Dr.'s are amazed, they tested her again and said how did you do this without statins? She told them and they wanted to know all about it and look at the literature which she gave them.

Now she has me on it. One a day, under your tongue, goes right to the blood, not a pharma drug. You might want to give it a try, it's natural, it worked wonders for my sister, I'm the next guinea pig, in 6 months I will let you know for sure, but I also take Garlic and Niacin daily.

It does give me energy and I do feel better on it. It has B6, Folate, B12, Biotin, Proprietary Blend of Inistol, Taurine, Dimethyglycine, Lysine, CoEnzyme Q10, Cysteine, Methionine, Choline.

It's suppose to help your homocystein (sp?). I don't even know what that is, but if it worked for her, I'll try it!

Re: Are you physically prepared?
 

TriVita is for cholestrol? This is in the health food section?

Re: Are you physically prepared?
 

Thanks for bringin up the garlic. Garlic is great to lower cholesterol. I eat lots of garlic and it helped lower my cholesterol. Only sideeffect is that it makes you stink like a sri lanken.

As for the brewers yeast I am pretty sure it grows naturally on fruits. At least I think that is the only place it grows. It forms on grapes naturally and aids in the fermentation of wines.

WOULD DRINKING BEER AND WINE BE A DIABETES PREVENTATIVE?

Re: Are you physically prepared?
 

Sindge , I have friends who used to do the weighted backpack runs , but now that we're 10 or 15 years past our primes , none of them would recommend it. (but of course none were looking at it as a WTSHTF training plan either). Shin splints are a brutal , and often long lived result. My wife was a mrathoner and this knocked out of that as well.
As for the pullups, you speak the truth.
I set my mind to being able to chin myslef 20 times a while back. I could easily get to 12 , maybe 14 but had a hard time getting past it til a trainer friend recommended a plan similar to yours, with a dumb-bell held tween the ankles, and lower reps. I started with a 5 lber and went up to a 30 lber for chin reps of just 2 up to 8. It's counterintuitive kinda , doing less , but with more resistance. It was a great aid. It got me to my goal though in few months.
My brother is an avid rock climer and can grab a door jamb and hoist his skinny ass up 40 times in a minute, though he credits it all to his forearm strength. Does all his Bi work with an overhand grip etc to hit the brachialis etc. But he's a good thirty pounds lighter than me. \
The added resistance is key to progress even in lieau of it.

Re: Are you physically prepared?
 

Yeah when you weigh less it is easier to do lots of pull ups and run forever. I have been gaining muscle and fat lately so when I can't hit the gym often(soon) I can sustain what I have with pull ups and push ups. Plus I may gain some muscle with the pull ups since I rarely do them (until now)

My plans do work I swear.

As for shin splints I have never had them. I have been ruck running for years and running with weight and just plain running alot for years. I swear I have never had shin splints . I just don't slam my feet, I tie my laces real tight and buy new running shoes every six months.
I love working out:getdown:

Re: Are you physically prepared?
 

The only time I ever got shin splints was in high school. Our track coach used to have us run in the school hallways before track season started outdoors. Those floors were a biatch. Miss it though. :stickyman

Re: Are you physically prepared?
 

running on hard surfaces can give you shin splints. And hallway running sucks especially with constant turning.

Re: Are you physically prepared?
 

When talking with my doctor he suggested I take a low dose of cholesterol lowering medicine. I'm just a little high. When I balked at a prescription he immediately suggested fish oil capsules. FWIW.

Re: Are you physically prepared?
 

Yeah I was just a little high myself. I took fishoil for awhile too. In combination with exercize, and garlic, oatmeal grains and a table spoon of olive oil I have lowered mine without a prescription. Exercize is key to flush the cardiovascular system of as much bad cholesterol as possible and the foods help reduce it. You need that vigerous flow of blood.

Re: Are you physically prepared?
 

Yes and No, they do say it works to lower cholestrol, with my sister, it really worked fantastic, again, she did not change her eating habits and it runs in our family (all of us girls are high in cholestrol). It's not over the counter, you have to join and buy, but they have lots of good natural/organic vitamins. They are raesonably priced. Their phone is 18009917116 and their website is www.trivita.com.

And again, it does help my energy levels, my sister also went off her arthritis medicine after awhile on this stuff, it's called Vital4 by Trivita. It's really really helped her, but again, it took a few months to build up in her system.

This is NOT an ad for this company, but hey if something works yeah gotta spread the good word around!

Re: Are you physically prepared?
 

http://www.trivita.com/2006/shop/pro....aspx?pid=3031

It's called HYC Guard, Vital4, by Trivita.

Re: Are you physically prepared?
 

Have played rugby all of my life, in addition to tennis, golf, basketball etc. Love to hike, dont drink or smoke. Id like to think im ready, only a true situation will tell.

Re: Are you physically prepared?
 

Works for me!:bear_thumb:

Although lately, I have actually enjoyed my workouts and look forward to them.

Re: Are you physically prepared?
 

cialis, roids, a lot of coffee, and sex three times a day, keeps me fit as a fiddle.

Re: Are you physically prepared?
 

It is so rewarding when you enjoy it and when you get pissed off and push yourself even further you will be so satisfied with your results!:yippee:

Re: Are you physically prepared?
 

Wow three times a day seems a bit much!

You might be better off opting to have sex once or twice a week - - with someone else.

:stickyman

hahahaha, I wondered who would make that joke. Me jokey too m'kay? I dont really take roids. lol