Survival fitness: this is by far the most overlooked and undervalued area in survival training and preparedness… not to mention plain self-defense. Basically, we need to be in relatively good shape to be better able to handle situations life may throw at us.
- Can you roll a jack under your car and put the spare tire on?
- Can you climb a fence to avoid an attacking vicious dog?
- Can you run a half block to catch a wayward toddler about to cross the street?
- Can you carry a 40 lb. backpack all day, walking across town?
These are a few examples of everyday occurrences that can happen to anyone at anytime. Notice that none of these examples are extreme unlikely instances. Every one of these things has happened to me, and I don”t live in an action movie type of lifestyle!
Therefore the question remains…… what if? What if I have to chase a man abducting my child? Can I do it? What if I have to run ten blocks to avoid a dangerous chemical spill? What if I have to live out of my backpack for 3 days? These things are more extreme; but as a person interested in survival we should be prepared physically to meet the challenge. Training, attitude, and survival gear aren”t the only things keeping us alive out there. It is also the ability to run, jump, crawl, swim, and get back up that could determine the outcome of an extreme situation.
Fitness Basics
There are some basics we all learned in gym class that still apply today. Here they are in random order:
- Strength
- Flexibility
- Endurance
- Speed
Remember we are talking basics! I am not saying you have to out lunge an Olympic Fencer, or outrun a Grizzly Bear. Fitness basics are designed to be easy to improve, attainable by your average person, and show results quickly.
Strength training may include push-ups, weight lifting, resistance training or even dynamic tension. Flexibility is obviously stretching, toning and full normal range of motion. Pilates or Yoga can greatly improve your flexibility, but also may improve your strength and balance.
Endurance is a general term but refers here to the ability to perform sustained exercise like running, swimming, jogging and fast walking. This can be improved in a number of ways from stationary bicycling, walking, and jogging to rollerblading and dancing. Exercise can and should be fun otherwise you will not do it. Speed can also be improved by the above exercises; but also by playing tennis, racquetball, and other sports. Speed is the most difficult attribute to measure, but is the easiest to see improvements in.
Please consult your family physician before attempting ANY exercise program. Start gradually, and be sure to note the details in a training notebook or journal. The simplest exercise program is walking. You can do it in a large indoor mall, in the park, or just in your neighborhood. It is free and you don”t need any fancy equipment besides comfortable shoes. Swimming is considered by many to be the best single exercise program to improve all of your basic fitness attributes. Swimming is easy to do, inexpensive, and can be learned quickly.
http://www.health.gov/paguidelines/pdf/fs_prof.pdf Basic fitness guidelines from health.gov website.
http://www.fitness.gov/resources/organizations/index.html Fitness resources, websites, and organizations.
Advanced Physical Fitness and Training
Once you have started a fitness program, you may want to focus on more specific areas of improvement. This can be the most rewarding and fun area in your fitness program. You may want to join a competitive shooting organization, or go on an extended hike in the wilderness. You might decide to join a martial arts program, join a weekly fitness class, or advance your current regimen to the next level.
Whatever you decide it will be an expression of you and your interests. You might be surprised at how beneficial and empowering this can actually be! Your survival fitness program could spill over into other areas of your life and improve the overall quality of living in general. It is worth the risk…. You can feel better and be prepared for what life throws your way.
Motivation
At the end of the day, we all need to monitor our health and get some exercise. To stay motivated we need to think beyond “what is best for us”. Personally my family is a reason for me to stay in shape. I want to be able to protect my family, and also be able to work hard to support them.
Friends are good motivators. They may give an encouraging work, chide or shame us when needed, or even present a friendly competitive aspect to working out. If they want to jump in and start an exercise program with you go for it!
An exercise journal can also motivate. Once you see the results on paper, it can really encourage one to continue the program. Also, you may feel the need to fill up the volume with achievements and measurements. Usually it can take up to 3 months to see dramatic changes, but you will notice results after your first week!
Lastly, avoid being derailed completely. Don”t allow set backs to make you feel like giving up. Some of these could be minor illnesses, busy work schedules, holidays, or even short breaks. Allow yourself room to be flexible with set backs, and realize they are common for all people. Friends not showing up to work out? Flu symptoms playing havoc with you? Sleep poorly or too much work? Make note of the break in your diary and begin anew without self-recriminations.
Staying motivated can be difficult, but in time you will figure out what works best for you. Compliments from friends and family (or jealousy!) can be very motivating. Fitting into old clothes or having to buy new ones is also motivating. Even just feeling better can be a huge boost in your motivational battery.
Conclusion
Your level of survival fitness is not determined by outside factors or environment. Your level of fitness is determined by you. If you allow yourself to watch television or eat candy all day; who is to blame? Get off the couch and go for a walk or park far away from the grocery store and carry the groceries rather than use a cart. Ride a bike or walk to events close by. Make exercise dates for yourself where you do something fun, unusual or exciting.
Things like river rafting, rock climbing, or horseback riding aren’t out of the realm of possibilities for most and these types of things can be fun! Reward yourself for exercising by buying a nice gift for yourself, or going to a favorite restaurant or event. In the end, the ability to run, jump, swim and climb will be a reward unto itself. You will feel more confident, and definitely be able to meet life”s challenges whether they are mundane or extraordinary.
Fitness is definitely an important part of survival, preparedness and self-defense training. Like a survival kit, or a concealed carry permit it can mean the difference in walking away from an emergency…. Or being carried away.
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