Exercise for hunting season

[3Crows]

I am 66 yo. I have been competing in triathlon since they became popular in the late 70s and 80s. I still on occasion enter an event. They provide a training goal, the event that is. I just came home from the Y for my mile + swim. I try to workout every day and I am serious about it to the point that if I miss a workout I feel guilty. Sometimes I double up my workouts, especially since retiring. I enjoy the workouts, especially cycling and have been a lifelong cyclists (who open carries). Running is my weakest, usually substitute rowing machines or my home elliptical (titanium leg and some other parts from MX racing). And I still ride motorcycles and occasionally enter a hare scrambles event. Before hunting in high country I would definitely need to do some additional training if covering any distance was required. Being a southern boy, the thing that stops me is cold.

The big thing for most people is the steady gain of weight, about 10+ pounds per decade average. For the younger folks out there, this is not inevitable. The major contributor is eating too much and the wrong things. Yeah, I know, it tastes good says my old boss! Workout, with an emphasis on aerobic workouts three times a week and watch your food intake. It is normal to feel hungry, you get past it. And God willing, you can remain active and fit for a lifetime.

 

[hq]

Workout, with an emphasis on aerobic workouts three times a week and watch your food intake. It is normal to feel hungry, you get past it. And God willing, you can remain active and fit for a lifetime.

Not calling myself as an anomality, I think I pretty much never feel unconfortably hungry, eat whatever I want and been roughly the same BMI (22) all my life. My personal yardstick is that I can lift the weight of my motorcycle (550lbs, 3.2 times my body weight) at will and walk at least six hours straight in ankle-to-knee-deep swamp.

In addition to (ir)regular exercise the only guideline I've ever followed is that I only eat when I'm actually hungry and feel like it, never just when I'd be supposed to. Lost (microwaved...) quite a few steaks and stews to that principle, but my wife who emphasizes regular meal times hasn't been quite as fortunate in staying fit, even though she joins me for grouse hunts regularly. Seems to work for me, even though YMMV.

 

[mokin]

If folks are looking for some quality advice on working out at home, check out the “Critical Bench” channel on You Tube.

their restorative exercise videos are very good based on my experience with physical trainers and therapists. I use them a lot for back and knee issues. They really help.

some of my favorites:







They have a lot of great exercise routines to help improve your fitness

Thanks. I'll have to check them out. I enjoy working out and try to stay in shape but overuse injuries are taking their tole. I used to do a lot of trail running - marathon length events and 100 push ups before work as well as a lot of just poor judgement things. Someone mentioned jumping off things while wearing body armor. Now I do a lot of bicycling, hiking, and still get in push ups and pull ups. Just not as many. I've discovered that if I vary my work outs I can better manage the injuries.

 

[3Crows]

Not calling myself as an anomality, I think I pretty much never feel unconfortably hungry, eat whatever I want and been roughly the same BMI (22) all my life. My personal yardstick is that I can lift the weight of my motorcycle (550lbs, 3.2 times my body weight) at will and walk at least six hours straight in ankle-to-knee-deep swamp.

In addition to (ir)regular exercise the only guideline I've ever followed is that I only eat when I'm actually hungry and feel like it, never just when I'd be supposed to. Lost (microwaved...) quite a few steaks and stews to that principle, but my wife who emphasizes regular meal times hasn't been quite as fortunate in staying fit, even though she joins me for grouse hunts regularly. Seems to work for me, even though YMMV.

I think you misunderstood me and it is my fault. You do not feel hungry, I do not feel hungry, our bodies have been trained to run on that stored energy or to easily make that transition. I am not and it seems you are not running on sugar. Sure, I have been known to grab a candy bar to get that energy zap. It is like kicking in the turbo. But, people who eat too much of the wrong stuff, and this is evidenced by that spare tire around the middle, they would probably interpret what your body is telling you as hunger and go feed it. And, because their body is not accustomed to running on anything but gratuitous sugar, yeah, as soon as that is depleted, they feel hungry. And that is normal and in time and with training they can learn that that transition point is normal, it really is not the body crying for food, it is the body throwing a tantrum because it is not getting a sugary cola. But we are all a little different and I am not saying a regular fella needs to train for a triathlon to go deer hunting. Lifting weights and getting big arm muscles may look impressive but an aerobic system that will not boink and a BMI that is appropriate to the body structure is more practical for life long fitness.

 

[hq]

[...]Sure, I have been known to grab a candy bar to get that energy zap. It is like kicking in the turbo. But, people who eat too much of the wrong stuff, and this is evidenced by that spare tire around the middle, they would probably interpret what your body is telling you as hunger and go feed it. And, because their body is not accustomed to running on anything but gratuitous sugar, yeah, as soon as that is depleted, they feel hungry.[...]

A very nice breakdown and analysis. Strange detail I've noticed that every now and then I live on Mars bars for a day or two because I don't feel like I need or want anything else. And sometimes I grab a can of coke. Or five. And believe it or not, it's all based on craving. I don't have a clue why it works that way but once you're accustomed to something like that (IT boom of early-mid 90's was a force majeur by itself), it just does.

On the other hand I've semi-consciously given up on pasta (processed sugars, metric craploads of it) and some other, select food items. It just makes me feel bloated and I don't feel I need it, so I rather have something - anything - else.

Don't get me wrong, it's very personal and subjective, and against all nutritional guidelines I've ever come across. Regardless, it seems to work. I've shocked a few doctors by telling them honestly what and how I eat compared to my pretty darn good cholesterol, body fat and muscle mass analyses that would be great for men half my age.

And I don't have a clue how all this happened. Except that I still don't eat anything when I'd be supposed to. That's quite literally the only explanation I can give.

 

[daniel craig]

If we are talking about the workouts that we actually do:
Mon AM- 400 burpees, 100 iso-curls, 20 minutes shadow-boxing
Mon. PM- hunting in fall/winter, yardwork/ home & vehicle maintenance spring & summer
Tues PM- MMA striking class, 1 hour
Wed AM- 500 burpees, 100 iso-curls, 20 minutes shadow-boxing
Wed mid-morning/early afternoon- realistic live-fire training at range (includes sprints, light climbing, pushups, etc.)
Wed. PM- kickboxing class, 1 hour
Thurs. PM- MMA grappling/full spectrum sparring 1.5 hours
Fri. AM- 600 burpees, 100 iso-curls, 20 minutes shadow boxing
Fri PM- hunting fall & winter, yardwork/ home & vehicle maintenance spring & summer
No workouts Sat & Sun.
I do a pretty decent job of sticking with this schedule. Of course, things like Dr appointments, deer processing, travel, "life in general", etc. tend to screw it up sometimes.

I’m more like talking about using hunting as motivation for doing something you otherwise wouldn’t/don’t want to do.

 

[3Crows]

I’m more like talking about using hunting as motivation for doing something you otherwise wouldn’t/don’t want to do.

I understand. But "hunting" is too nebulous to act as a motivator. It needs to be more specific as in I want to go on a five day trek in Montana for elk on such and such dates. Then train and prepare for it. Just saying I want to get in shape to hunt, well, it is better to have a goal and then work to it. Some of the prep is getting your equipment ready, practicing and checking your rifle/bow etc., working ammo loads maybe and getting your body ready to do the hunt. Anyways, I always try to set a goal that helps me to maintain a regimen.

 

[Hookeye]

I dont do dairy.
Like most any vegetable.
Am not a fancy eater or foodie.

Had a great porkchop a couple mights ago.
Brats on grill and a couple beers if i feel Ok tomorrow.

Hot weather, hot at work......i dont eat much.
Drink a ton of water.

Deer season i used to hunt so hard id lose weight.

Ah the good old days

 

[FL-NC]

I understand. But "hunting" is too nebulous to act as a motivator. It needs to be more specific as in I want to go on a five day trek in Montana for elk on such and such dates. Then train and prepare for it. Just saying I want to get in shape to hunt, well, it is better to have a goal and then work to it. Some of the prep is getting your equipment ready, practicing and checking your rifle/bow etc., working ammo loads maybe and getting your body ready to do the hunt. Anyways, I always try to set a goal that helps me to maintain a regimen.

I am exactly the same way- a realistic goal for a realistic end state. When I was in the military, physical training was a no-brainer. We trained like savages for the next deployment, the next school, etc. This was to insure mission success. Also, your team is counting on you- no one wants to be the "weak link". Now that I'm out of the military and the overseas contracting game, there is no "next school", or "next deployment". So I needed to re-evaluate the goals and end state. First and foremost, I want to be as ready as I can be for whatever comes my way. These uncertain times is a great catalyst to reinforce the reason to stay in shape. Activities like combat sports, cardio, and realistic range sessions check all of these blocks. I happened to be one of the thousands of new cases in Fl of the chinese flu. I had minimal symptoms and only felt sick for 2 days- I truly believe that my physical conditioning and other choices influenced this outcome. Also, everyone that I grew up with, and nearly everyone in my family is in horrible shape. As are many of my contemporaries that I served in the military with, who got out and allowed their physical standards to "slip". I have seen the effects of lack of physical activity, poor diets, and sedentary lifestyles. This is why I continue to train the way I do. If being in shape for hunting is the desired end state, then by all means, attack that task. Crush it. The important thing is to come up with SOME reason to stay in shape, and commit to that goal.

 

[Big Bore TX]

Another 5 mile ruck this morning. 98 days till my Elk hunt...

 

[Hookeye]

If I want any out of state big game hunt it has to be guided. Am unable to do 100% of the work

Cant fight genetics.

Back and shoulders, even knees......big diff at 56 vs 30 yrs old.

And ive been pretty healthy/active my whole life. Know folks in lesser shape or worse genetics are really screwed.

 

[Hookeye]

Wanted to hit the range today.
Spent last hr checking the ol ladys Jeep.
Ended up w a new battery.
Its scorching hot and im in the AC now.
Done for the day.

Work in a hot factory.

Really takes it out of me

Dunno if completely physical or mental, but I hit my limit and call it done. My limit is not at the end of ability these days, its at the end of comfort.

Aint got nothing to prove. Done the hardcore jobs...... endured the temps, the pain.

Aint worth it and may make things tougher when older.

I see the macho ads in the hunting mags and just laugh. Sure that can pay off, moat times it just gets you sick or hurt.

Kill a lot more stuff when Ive been comfy.

 

[Hookeye]

I was low % body fat up to age 45.
Could not do diddly and bust out a 2 mile run.

Seemingly overnight I couldn't.
Two laps at a jog and done.

Noticed riding bike first of the yr it took a couple days to get the kinks out, lungs back.

After a couple yrs it took a month to get back in the groove.

Now it doesnt matter.

My job is physical and uncomfortable. I see lots of people half my age that cant cut it. Majority are way fatter too.

How are they going to be 20 yrs down the road?

I popped something in my right elbow hanging a stand last yr. covid shutdown gave me 2 months to not use it. Somewhat healed, I think. Its Its maybe 60%

Was told surgery would fix it and that itd proly get worse before then.

So when i have something big to do i favor it, which messes up my other elbow and back.

Last yr I bashed my Jeep driving to my deer, as my bud and I couldnt drag it out of rhe woods. Both of us near same age....both w bad backs.....similar build........yeah, we are also cousins LOL

 

[daniel craig]

Annnnnd my mind and body are not on the same page. So if I want to hunt archery season this year I’m going to have to find a good doctor or physical therapist.

 

[somethingbenign]

I'm using hunting as the carrot to get a friend of mine in shape. Last I knew he was 380 lbs and only 22. He wanted to start hunting with me the tail end of the hunting seasons last year and I've been reminding him he needs to be able to keep up of I'm going to take him on a hunt. Looking at him now he could be down to 320 but I don't want to embarrass him by asking him to put a number on his progress, I just keep giving him a mostly friendly jab that he needs to loose that gut. Squirrel opens this weekend so we shall see if his cardio has improved.