Exercise is one area of preparedness that is often overlooked. Yet, your physical condition is one of the most important ways you can prepare. Physical fitness cannot be purchased like toilet paper or a jug of water when there is a forewarning of impending disaster. Nor is it like sealing food in a bucket that can be done once and it will be ready for you when you need it twenty years later.
Physical fitness is a preparedness area that needs constant attention. It is something that needs to be worked on and kept up on. Just because you were a long distance runner on the high school track team doesn’t mean you can outrun the zombies at age 35. And you do want to be able to outrun the zombies, right?
Actually, outrunning the zombies is only one reason to be in good physical condition. In a grid down situation, there will be plenty of manual labor to be done. Everything from clearing debris, to building shelter, to hiking yourself and your family and all your gear to a safer location.
I’m not saying you need to be a marathon runner or super body-builder (unless you already are–then you’re ahead of the game). But being out of shape will not help you a bit when your physical abilities are being tested in what could be a life and death situation.
Start slow. Especially if you haven’t been doing much physical activity in the recent past. If you have health considerations, you may need to consult your physician about which activities and exercise programs would be best for you.
Don’t quit. Exercise is only good while you are doing it regularly. Exercise you like to do will be easier to stick with, so find something that you enjoy doing. Don’t like running? Go for a swim. Can’t swim? Do yoga, or martial arts, or dance, or aerobics, or weight lifting, or find an exercise video that you love (you can even probably check some out for free at your local library). Find something that you enjoy and stick with it!
“Good physical condition” is not the same for everyone. It is not the same for me now as it was when I was 19 or as it will be when I’ll be 65. Our bodies give us certain physical limitations depending on age, genetics, etc. The idea is to be in as good a physical condition as you in your present circumstances can be. A little fat could act as a buffer against disease, or lower the food intake you will need. But don’t go believing an extra 100 lbs of weight you don’t need on you qualifies as “food storage”!
You will lose weight as you begin exercising. If you are exercising before a disaster, you can go buy new clothes that fit! But if you don’t start exercising until after the disaster (or even if your exercise level intensifies–especially if your food intake decreases), you’ll probably shrink out of your clothes. Consider stocking smaller sizes of clothes, overalls (they always fit, right?) or suspenders. Another option is having the skills to alter clothes to fit your new smaller size. But wouldn’t you rather just be able to buy the new clothes now?
Have kids? Get them involved. You may even be able to sign up for a class with them.
Your physical condition could be one of the most important parts of your preparedness efforts. It won’t do you any good to have lots of supplies if you’re going to keel over from a heart attack when you need to relocate it all quickly. And the extra energy and strength you will have in the meantime will help you even if disaster never strikes. So go ahead and get off the computer and get moving.
Keep preparing! Angela
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I have been a couch potato since I have retired. So after gaining 25 pounds I finally decided to take up water aerobics at the Y. It give me a good work out and is easier on my old joints.
I bought a small farm. Who needs a gym membership. Hacking away at berry bushes is one of the greatest ab workouts you’ll ever get.
I could certainly be in better shape that I am but I also do not wish to spend hours each week at the gym. After searching for a fitness program that works for me I discovered High Intensity Training (HIT). Search ‘Body by Science’ on You Tube (I actually bought the book) for details but the bottom line is I work out at the gym for about 15 minutes per week and, in my mid-fifties, have noticed an increase in muscle mass and strength.