I’m sure I have managed to anger a few people with the title of this article alone. That’s not my intention. As the saying goes, you get more flies with honey than with vinegar – although in this case, putting out carb-rich food wouldn’t be the best course of action.
I don’t know you and can’t say what, if anything, you are preparing for. What I can say is that almost anything you might be preparing for by going to carbine/pistol training courses or taking an active interest in blogs like this one will be made substantially easier if you are in good shape.
Part of being prepared for adverse situations is knowing what you are capable of. Knowing how far you can run at certain altitudes, how effectively you can physically fight after moving for six, twelve, twenty-four continuous hours, how clearly you think through problems that present themselves during that same time, and so on.
I know a lot about my capabilities because I’ve gone outside and proved them to myself. As I’ve done so, I have not only improved my mental well-being, but I’ve become more fit. I’ve gone from being fat and out of shape to being proud of myself, not only the way I look, but what I can do.
Now, there are some guys who are really capable even though they’re packing an extra ten or fifty pounds. I’m not saying that they aren’t capable or that they’re bad people or whatever. Some of them might be better than I am at some things. I am saying that they would be more capable if they shed a little weight.
On the other end of the scale are people who are skinny but weak or incapable of physical exertion. If they don’t need to exercise to maintain a certain look, they choose to skip it. This is not good. A lot of the time, this applies to females – something I’ve learned is that if a girl does not have a butt, she probably won’t be able to keep up with me on a hike. I’ve also learned that “LOVE PINK” is shorthand for “I’m a white girl who thinks she has a butt.” But I digress…
If a capable but fat person gets injured…well, it will be easier for their friends or teammates to evacuate them if they weigh less. Because carrying fat people is hard.
In FMSS (Field Medical Service School), one of our final challenges was a dummy drag through an obstacle course. It was done in teams of three, but my two teammates were wimps, so I dragged and carried the ~180lb dummy through the whole course, and did it so fast that my teammates complained that they couldn’t keep up. Naturally, this was a big ego boost to me.
Fast forward to Iraq, where I was practicing emergency procedures with guys from my platoon. One of my Marines was…well, fat. And when he was in full gear, I simply couldn’t pull him out of a “disabled” truck. This was quite a change from my 180lb dummy drag champion days. After this, he lost a significant amount of weight; I don’t know if the two were connected, but it was certainly eye-opening for me.
If you lead an active lifestyle – or maybe if you drew the short straw in the womb – staying fit might be difficult. Injuries and genetics play a role, to be sure. However, willpower is huge. I used lung problems resulting from my Iraq vacation as an excuse to not exercise for a long time.
Then I realized that I had gotten fat. Soon after, I decided to stop being fat. I still have lung problems (if I run too hard, I start coughing up blood), and sometimes severe knee and ankle issues. I can’t do certain exercises because they cause too much pain in my chest and abdomen. I’ve learned to work around these problems – to minimize their impact on my life and the way I exercise.
Your issues might be more or less severe, but there is almost certainly a way for you to become at least somewhat fit. It starts with your personal decision to walk down that path.
And if I could tack on something, it would be to work smart when trying to lose fat.
The ‘a calorie is a calorie is a calorie’ dogma is outdated and misleading. Yes, a calorie is a calorie in terms of energy required to burn it off, but they do not have the same physiological effect on the body. Go eat 1000 calories of sugar vs. 1000 calories of fat and see which one gives you diabetes first.
You can eat low carb, high protein, high fat, and you will feel like a boss while the weight falls off (and you’re eating as much as you like), or you can start eating salads and counting calories and get marginal results.
While I’m ranting, you can’t work yourself out of being overweight. Body composition is at least 80% of what you eat (by my own estimation). You can slave away at the treadmill for hours on end, or you can make radical changes to what you eat.
Fitness is great and critical, but it is not a substitute for poor lifestyle decisions.
Great article, Andrew.
I somewhat disagree, but I also know that everyone is different. I’ve gotten to be very fit eating pretty poorly over the years, doing it all with training. In the last 15 years, I’ve really only gained weight when sidelined by injuries. Yes, probably could have been better with a better diet, but part of why I keep my training up is to have more free reign over food. I think your 80% estimate is high.
Ideally, you need both diet and exercise, but while you’re still able to, exercise is important. You can’t build strength and conditioning purely from diet.
I should have clarified that there are lots of genetic tolerances in play for sure. For instance, I know people that look like greek gods and eat absolute dog crap. There is no one size fits all, but my guess is if you abuse your diet long enough, you’ll reap the consequences either outwardly or inwardly.
I would argue that fitness is more than just exterior looks and athletic performance. You can look good and perform well and still be wreaking havoc on the insides of your body due to insulin resistance and chronic, systemic inflammation. When and how (or for some lucky folks, if) your body breaks down, it’s much more problematic to fix long term damage that had few symptoms (i.e., not getting fat) vs. the person who gets fat every time they stare at a jelly roll.
Sustainability is critical to survivability. Few things are worthwhile if they are not able to be carried over into future decades.
Just my $ 0.02 based on my medical training, and I welcome your thoughts.
Well said. . . I was a Tactical Medic several years ago, in solid shape and able to run at the front of a pack. . . I dinged my knee and found myself couched for several weeks, followed by several months of low-impact rehab. . . The worst of it was the 75 pounds I had packed on during the time I was couched. . . I never knew that my metabolism required me to constantly work out, I had been working out as a lifestyle for high school football and later TEMS, and just figured I could take a break and stay solid. . . Now, several years later, I am fighting to get back to fighting weight and re-train my body. . . never underestimate the value of maintenance diets and minor activity when your normal exercise routine is interrupted. . . You’re safer and more effective as a warrior when you can move without impediment
Great article! The things you outlined, make everyones quality of life better, whether in a suit or a shit-storm. Keep up the great work.
Semper FI!
You’re absolutely right and it’s almost frightening just how fast those pounds can sneak up on you the minute you let your guard down. Been there, done that!
The trick is to do something physical every day, throw out the sugar, flour and fattening foods and limit alcohol consumption. It’s a real shock how fast it comes off this way!
Keep fighting the good fight!
Serious respect to you and anyone else for losing weight and keeping it off. Your absolutely right in this article. A lot of people overcome one thing or another to stay in shape. Much respect for working past your “lung issues”. Sounds serious. Another good article Andrew.
Great article, I used to be a semi professional cyclist (and not afraid to say it) but had to stop due to injuries (which years later turned out to be reumatism related). I went from 75 kilo’s to a whopping 125 because of not beeing able to excercise (or walk for that matter). I’m currently administered in a militairy rehabilitation center in The Netherlands fighting to get back to 75 ( or 80) kilo’s and a killer condition in time for the IPSC Worldshoot in Florida in 2014.
May I ask what caused the lung issues?
Coccidioidomycosis?
Was just going to ask the very same thing.
Good stuff, lad. Unfortunately, I’ve been one dealt a ‘short straw’; a predilection to being heavy. Oh, and also old.
But all we can do is the best with which we have been dealt.
Thanks for the encouragement.
Regards.
I’m always amazed at the number of obese people every time I go to the range or attend a shooting class. There is a lot of overlap between ‘preppers’ and gun owners, and I don’t know what a lot of these guys are ‘prepping’ for except a run to McDonalds.
Glad you put this out there. Whatever level of physical fitness you are able to maintain will improve your quality of life. I find that people are often capable of more than they realize in this regard and your story reflects that.
Ref diet: all I can say start eating what your body was designed to digest and like many others you will find a world of benefits. Not just losing weight and an increase in fitness but also disease and illness related:
http://www.marksdailyapple.com – subscribe to the to the 7 day email. http://www.marksdailyapple.com/category/success-story-summaries/
And for the Dutchies here: http://www.modderbaard.nl/de-visie/
Sorry if links to other websites are forbidden. It’s just that convention wisdom about diet is so flawed that it is criminal. This information needs to get out there.
This! Paleo > feed lot standard american diet
Case- I was thinking the exact same thing about the prepper/shooter community, well said. I’m couched right now with a knee and have been for about a month thanks to the VA. I’m already noticing some extra softness but don’t know how to fight it, can barely walk most days.
Hi Will,
You can fight it two ways: diet and activity. (Easy for me to say because I’m not the one with the bum knee.) I had back surgery several years ago and went from being very active to completely laid up, no weights over 40 lbs for three months. From there I had to take it step by step. I had to make some changes and it sucked. A lot.
The body is an adaptable organism. It will atrophy, but it will also get stronger if you challenge yourself. You probably have a handle on diet, but if you don’t: cut out as much fat and stick to lean protein and green veggies while you’re laid up. Limited activity = limited diet options. Eat sweet potatoes or yams if you need some sugars. Avoid anything that comes in a wrapper unless it’s a pre-packaged salad or chicken/turkey/fish.
As for exercise, there are some things you can do that will help you maintain fitness. You have one good leg, right? Go to a pool if you are able and it is available to you. Swim, bounce around in the shallow end, whatever. If that’s not an option, then the next thing is core work on the floor and from your chair. You can do some beginner-level yoga, or exercise from your chair. Many of chair-based stuff you will find on the internet is for seniors. If you’re a younger guy then don’t be prideful, just do the work. It will keep you sharp and build you up for when you’re back to your best self.
Last thing I’ll share is that maintenance is easier than starting over. Stay on it if you can. I feel strongly about this stuff so that’s why my note got so long.
I set this comment up to notify me so if you have questions post them here and I’ll hit you back.
Cheers,
-case-
I hear it every time I put on my uniform. “We are not winning the war from here” and other BS. Being in better shape pays off now, for everyone, not just you.
Reservist and guard members are fooling only themselves with the idea that they will have time to get into shape. We rolled out for Bosnia with 3 weeks notice from Brandon, MS.
And civilians…. you are just clogging up the medical system and wasting resources. Get fit. Our country is throwing huge sums of our money at your damn problem.
Andrew,
I think that’s a valid point about getting injured and having your weight be a burden on someone else. However, after reading much of Mark Rippetoe’s stuff (he mainly advocates for strength over cardio fitness, for a variety of reasons), many military personnel commented on how many of their overweight, but much stronger, soldiers/marines were more capable. Many stated just how ridiculous the military PT tests were stressing cardio and having no strength testing. The comment I read over and over was how much easier, and more valuable, stronger (and heavier/fatter) soldiers/marines were when on patrol in full gear. No matter what, nearly everyone had to carry an extra 50 pounds while on patrol due to all the gear being carried. Being lightweight and cardiovascularly fit doesn’t really prepare you for that, but being strong does.
I never went to war, but I spent three years on a ship as a gunner’s mate and can tell you I’d rather have a big fat guy down in a magazine with me, rather than a thin guy who can run really fast and far. A big fat guy can last longer loading 70 pound rounds, along with 40 pound powder charges, than a thin runner/hiker.
There are trade-offs to be sure, but being physically strong seems to me to be more important that being cardiovascularly fit.
One last thing I’d like to note is that will power has almost nothing to do with getting in shape. When you pit will power against biology, biology ALWAYS wins. You have to change your habits to eat more satisfying foods and be more active, but neither of those things requires will power. If you’re hungry because you’ve chosen a diet that will starve you, like the low calorie/low fat diets many unwisely choose when trying to lose weight, hunger inevitably beats will power. If your workouts are dull, boring, joyless exercises and cause constant soreness and joint aches, as many people unwisely choose when trying to lose weight, will power will inevitably lose to the minds desire to be stimulated and the body’s desire to not be hurt.
If you don’t believe me, look at the statistics for those who’ve lost weight on the typically prescribed diet and exercise regimen. No matter what the initial weight loss is, the percentage of people who keep the weight off after five years is vanishingly small and it has NOTHING to do with will power. It has everything to do with to poor exercise and diet regimen currently being recommended.
Those who eat the right foods and workout correctly do not require will power to lose weight, get stronger, and keep things that way. The food satisfies and the body does not hurt.
Being strong and being fat are two different things. “I’m strong” is a weak excuse for someone who doesn’t want to face up to the fact that they are overweight/obese in terms of body fat percentage.
I will just put it this way, during 24HSAC, none of the overweight participants finished the course.
Oh, and it takes willpower to choose the right diet and exercise plan. What did you think I meant by willpower – sitting at home and wishing you weren’t fat any more?
You are advised to think on this topic further before commenting.
Ken,
I hear what you’re saying, but I agree with Andrew in that assuming just because someone looks bigger doesn’t mean they’re actually stronger. I’m tall, lean and wiry and can lift and carry much heavier objects than guys twice my size because of body is mostly muscle. I have high endurance not just for cardio, but lifting. Another important factor: my body doesn’t easily overheat because it’s not overly insulated with fat.
All of this is to say that, yes, there can be cases where the lean triathlete might fail where the thick linebacker won’t, and vice versa. But mostly, the line of thinking you espouse sounds like a justification for contentment with being overweight.
Please undrestand that I wish no offense to you, Ken, or anyone, whether over-, under- or ideal weight. I’m just sharing my thoughts as everyone else here is.
Andrew,
Thanks for the post. This topic is often on my mind as I watch and read about people overspending on extraneous gear while neglecting the most important machine of all: the human body.
-Matthew
you don’t need to be a super hero for strength or cardio, but shouldn’t be weak in either area. I don’t care how strong you are, if you can’t run 3 miles in less than 30 mins, you are a liability……
As soon as stuff gets silly, you are going to be breathing……it’s amazing how ineffective people get when they are exhausted.
I am a big believer in combining things like shooting with physical activity. It is humbling, but it gives you a realistic measure of your ability instead what you “think” you are capable of.
Dearest Andrew,
A friend of mine posted this link on his Facebook, and long have our debates been on tactical readiness and physical training standards over the years. So, seeing the link, I read your article here and several things occurred to me all at once. First, and foremost in my mind, your arrogance alone is enough for me to turn aside and cough ‘bullshit’. I’m of the mind that you’re a civilian trying to portray something you have either never been, or were, but weren’t very adept at. The man that raised me was a SERE instructor. I can tell you now… you are full of it. Secondly, your article does have several valid points, but most of it is just common sense. It’s certainly not built around anything that requires in-depth study, or even experience-based knowledge. (By chance, were you actually a Reservist? Kind of sounds like it. Same half-ass, I-know-what-I’m-talking-about demeanor.) Thirdly, hand me a pack, sir. Toss me a sidearm. I have no ass, none at all, nor do I actively seek shelter in gyms and fitness centers, but I’ll hike you through any forest, mountain range, urban ghetto you choose… and let’s see you 1. keep up with me, even on a square foxwalk, and 2. eat everything you said about the color pink. I’m quite fond of it myself…
~ Sincerely,
Me
Thanks for the laugh, Vanessa.
With respect to pink, I think Andrew was referring not simply to the color pink, but to a brand of clothing called “Love Pink” sold by Victoria’s Secret. In my opinion the color pink is fine.
I think she’s asking if you’re single. 😛
Pot calling the kettle black when it comes to arrogance.
Vanessa, I must have missed your Bona Fides, in your diatribe? Which branch of the Military did you lay it on the line with? Or are you just feebly attempting to wax intellectual and argumentative, while living off Daddy’s name? You sound crazier than a shit-house rat! Your Dad would be mortified, if he truly was a SERE instructor (Missed the School he taught at and Service distinction), at your lack of restraint and child like antics. Your contradictive drivel, was embarrassing. You should really consider pushing back from the computer and take three deep breaths, then hit the edit button up in your brain-housing group prior to engaging the “enter” button on the idiot board. You sound like nothing more than a petulant malcontent with an exposed nerve. I don’t know Andrew personally, but he has served our country honorably. For the record, I’m a combat veteran, and former Active Duty Marine with over 24 years working behind a gun in an operational capacity, both Militarily and for one of the largest big city police departments in the country, of which I’m still a Grunt, kicking in doors! As for you reservist comment, I guess you consider our great Reserve Military force, which has given you the fabric of freedom you enjoy so much, while sounding off like a complete tool, somehow lass than in your operationally inept eyes? And not to the liking of a (cough, cough) serious Warrior with your vast operational experience. Glad to hear that your a week-end warrior who enjoys hiking and chasing out of shape band geeks around the local hiking trails (no offense to band geeks). Must be dangerous. News flash sweetie, you’d get your ovaries kicked in, (metaphorically) kit’ed out in a full combat load-out, with your “pink” sweatpants on while engaging the enemy. Only in utopia and on tv would your Joan of Ark bulls$hit fly. Out here in the real operational world of Military and Law Enforcement, you’d get your ass kicked by the enemy with your unqualified assessments, assumptions and running that bloviating c@3k-sucker. Not to mention, those “Pink” sweats, would be brown and smell like a bag of feet, due to you shitting yourself, regularly! Let me guess, you read a lot of tactical books, And “talk” to your daddy on a regular basis, so that’s qualifies you to come on here and ignorantly opine. Shut the fuck up and ruck up, or sit the fuck back down. It’s real easy for key-board commandos like you to come onto a blog or wax like you’re Tier 1 or LAPD SWAT to your friends on FB. It’s a whole different story to work behind a gun on a daily basis, and reach those opinions and a modicum of operational acuity through, training, failure, death and operational experience. So I’ll give you a do-over…perhaps you were drunk and puking all over your computer when you leveled that unwarranted ad-hominem attack on Andrew. I don’t know Andrew personally, but he has laid it on the line for our great Country, and doesn’t deserve the type of vitriolic attack you leveled. And also for the record….his article was well put, and did not attack anyone, just point out the importance of operational fitness. Sounds like your operational resume needs a paper weight! You may want to consider that before you ignorantly and argumentatively opine, in forums like this.. You’ll only get lit the f@#k up. Now try and act like a lady in your reply, or I’ll give you both barrels. Semper Fi!
Me
Andrew, if you don’t mind my asking, what does your typical diet look like? My personal experience has been that diet is a much bigger driver of my fatness than how much exercise I’m doing.
Enjoying and laughing, I witness. Ascending to new levels is pleasurable, necessary and for some, unavoidable.
And now that I have fully read the replies, and not that all have missed it for it is there, but it seems some forget our brains are a physical part of our bodies also, not a separation. Secondly, sometimes humor requires wit and the predisposed critics will never get “it”.
As someone who just completed SFAS, I got to see a pretty good representation of the Fat/Fit, Strength/Cardio debate play out in real life. There were candidates (like myself) who could dominate the Runs, Rucks, and Land Nav portions, but then struggled when asked to carry 200 lbs long distances (I’m 5’8″, 135lbs soaking wet), and then there were guys who could carry 250lbs of sand, could probably bench press 350, but also couldn’t climb a 20ft rope to save their life.
In the end it was mostly the bigger guys who got selected, and that may very well be because SF has a very specialized mission, but a lot of guys who were in shape (like myself) just didn’t make the cut due to the strength required for some of the brute force exercises. So at least in my experience, It pays to be bigger (not obese, but bigger) when it comes to military/combat fitness. That being said, everyone in my class finished the long range movement (26+ miles w/ ruck) in less than 8.5 hrs, so even the bigger guys weren’t completely lacking in cario.
Interesting stuff! Could you tell me what brute force exercises were included? And if I understand correctly you didn’t make the cut.. will you have the opportunity to try again?
@Zach: What you’re describing is the difference between raw strength and strength to weight ratio. Two different things. You are functionally much stronger than the meatballs that can’t do a rope climb, but your raw strength is not as good. Old news to you, I know. It’s a shame that the requirements didn’t suit your physical skillset because being in long-haul asskicking shape is more difficult than being strong.
Put another way: There are always some guys that can move a lot of weight around without much training. Nobody gets cardio fit without doing the work.
Still, all the guys finished the long range movement, so they weren’t fat as much as they probably needed to cut back on the french fries. Can you bulk up a bit and trade some speed for strength? 5-8/135 is pretty damn skinny.
Besides, you can’t wear Arc’teryx if you’re fat.
I think the food industry and in particular what it does with high fructose corn syrup, has a big responsibility in this. Now fructose isn’t metabolically evil but economically: its so cheap that it’s processed in everything, especially low fat products. How does this cause obesity: In normal circumstances A body only has to deal with small amounts of it, especially when entered with fibre allowing for a anabolic-manageable release. But when its consumed as a processed product it comes in large quantity without fibre and is stored straight as fat (due to the stimulated insulin spike). Therefore not all the calories consumed are available to the body, leaving it hungry and demanding more. At this point you will see a downward spiral starting to occur. This whole process makes the common statement: “if you eat it you better burn it or else you get fat” redundant. You can see how this it no longer is possible to immediately burn off what you consume.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0zD1gj0pXk
the Physician Robert Lustig, who specialises in childhood obesity, has become an internet sensation with this message, scoring 1.5Million views on YT. Numbers normally reserved for Lady Gaga and the like. Interestingly, One of his followers (a GP) has already caused a national butter shortage in Sweden via his online blog.
You reap what you sow, and what you’ve been dished out. Genetics, diet, exercise (cardio & strength training) and prior fitness levels feed into this complex equation. As a farm girl, I am unlike most of you here, but some of the same theories apply. I get teased for “eating like a man,” ok, sometimes I get the “but a man doesn’t eat that much” sarcasm, but I grew up on a farm working all day long, harder than many have or ever will. You can talk all day long about “I trained for this or that,” but the fact of the matter is, our bodies are not designed to stay healthy while sitting around all day long, while eating a typical American diet of white processed sugars and flours. “Back in the day,” I worked my butt off from sun up to sun down, and my grandfather (after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in his 80s) could STILL pass up ALL OF US, both male and female of all ages. In high school, I could leg press more than any guy in my class, and I am only average height/smaller build. However, I could never carry or throw one of you guys over my shoulder. My job today is on a computer sitting on my butt, but I believe I still reap the benefits of all the labor in my younger days. I am about the same size, but work out with women in my class that work out at least 4 times as much as I do who can’t slim down no matter what they do or how hard they work. Fast forward to today’s youth… you also cannot expect to watch tv, sit on the computer, play video games on your rear (big or small) for years, and then take up “fitness” and expect to keep up/look like the one who’s been doing it all along or at least used to.
I’m far from fat, but I am no saint. When I had kids, I stopped taking time out for myself, stopped working out (although I never stopped moving), lost muscle, and ate like crap. I’ve since put my health on a higher priority, and have no intentions of sliding into those bad habits again. I am reaping old benefits as well as and pains now, and obviously it doesn’t get easier. Point is, take care of yourself and your health NOW. Don’t wait another day. We all have physical strong points and weaknesses… identify them, prevent what you can, face the issues you’re dealt, and don’t allow them turn into excuses that result in doing nothing. All of the best gear in the world won’t save your rear if you can’t move it.
Dearest Vanessa is entitled to her “opinions” above, but I consider it snap judgement. From my viewpoint, I have not witnessed Andrew misrepresenting himself since I’ve started following his blog some months ago. Talk is cheap, especially on this whole internet thing that Gore invented, and I have no interest in any type of pissing contest about comparing my cabbage farmer dad & grandpa to her SERE instructor dad. Girls can’t pee that far anyways. My point is…
Being tactical or tough is not only measured in physical standards or scales, but also perseverance and a never-quit mentality… but that’s a whole ‘nother story.
Don’t forget, laughter is also great exercise! 🙂
~ Sincerely,
Kraut
All these people attempting to justify their lack of physical discipline; is most hilarious.
When I attempted to join the Marines, a new poolee came in, and he couldn’t even do a single pull-up. He weighed nearly 200 and was on the fat side. When being grilled by the other poolees he claimed he ‘focused on the strength’, saying that he could bench over 165… We laughed.
One of my sergeants at the recruiting station could bench over 300 (!) while weighing less than 140 (!!!).
Stay safe,
JJD
Hear hear Kraut, one of the few posts worth reading.
On a side note, during many a training session I ask myself why, and then the phrase came to me: because you can’t fake fitness! So, like many said, quit you’re bitching, whining, crying and thinking of excuses. It doesn’t matter what you did or were capable yesterday, the only moment that counts is now – it’s the only moment you’ll ever have!
I apologize for the length… I didn’t realize the tangent I went on in my comment until I hit submit and then thought…. oh my, this might be almost as long as Andrew’s article.
You know what they say… excuses are like… 😉
Strive to be a better you (mentally & physically), than you were yesterday… and never stop.
No apology needed. It was very well put, and well taken!
Wow R&R, I see you put Ms Pink in her place above. I own boots smarter & tougher than her.
Now I want pants that say “HATE PINK” on the butt.
😉
What R&R said… no need to apologize – sometimes the message needs to be elaborated in order to be understood correctly.
btw – You ever gonna give us that gear review from the adventure race? What pants/top did you trial for it?
We all rocked Arc’teryx Sphinx pants for the event. The temp ranged from low 50’s at night (i think, it was pretty cool when we stopped, but then again we didn’t have a chance to do that for more than a few minutes) and it hit mid 90’s in the heat of the day. The pants seemed to do well, without being sticky like some of the synthetics seem to get when you are sweating bad. They are $$, and for sure not for everyone, but I think everyone thought they did well.
The only, and a very small, disagreement is the focus on weight… sort of. This argument also is an argument against the highly muscular guys, if you’re talking about carrying them out if wounded. My bodybuilder teammate at 260lbs and 12% bodyfat was just as hard to carry as the 260lbs fatbody. Though the times not hurt the bodybuilder would be better at just about everything physical.
Good article. I have been working hard on this very subject for about six months. I am down fifty pounds but know I still have work to do. I don’t get into the gym like I should. Your words have made me think about this and I will so better.
Thanks for this post, Andrew. I would consider myself fat. I work 50 hours a week and go to school full time, but as one of the commenters said, excuses are like… what? I used to be that 180 dummy, and have long been thinking about getting back to my 210 lbs tactical body so thank you for the motivation. There really is no excuse. Its time to start eating better and hitting the gym.
Ok, I shouldn’t assume everyone has heard that one. Excuses are like @**h*les. Everyone’s got one and they all stink. 🙂
but remember all. 80% of how you look is decided by what you stuff your gob with: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/8020-principle/
yeah diet is key to being lean, i agree, but I am not sure 80% is a fair mark if you consider genetics and activity. Also, diet is not going to make you capable by itself. If you have to do one or the other, exercise is far better (IMO). I have met several guys that don’t look like underwear models that can smash guys that “look” in better shape in almost every way.
Then again, these guys are never fat, just not always 6-pack lean.
He has considered genetics – it’s all about switching the right ones on.
Farmboys… I think of younger days while putting in hay loose and I was the only one on the wagon, my father completely burying me in hay and acting as if I was not even there. I screamed and yelled and swore at the top of my lungs, practically hating him, the tractor went faster. Now, I cherish that I had the opportunity to learn.
Sometimes the truth hurts! Ouch! I just came in from a 2 mile fast walk with my wife it’s not much but with my elliptical and some jump roping I’ve started on my new Years resolution now if I could just quit eating the COOKIES! lol in a sad moronic kind of way
Al
PS Article is spot on