It was a typical summer night recently as myself and a group of friends and family sat around enjoying some great local beer. As it often seems to do with any group of people over 40 nowadays, the conversation turned to a rundown of everyone’s current health issues. These ranged from chronic back, foot, knee and neck pain to high cholesterol, high blood pressure, arthritis, high blood sugar, kidney problem’s, surgeries and all the various medications everyone’s on. After quite awhile of this medical “seminar”, a long time friend and career firemen turned to me and asked, “PJ, what about you?” During this I hadn’t said much of anything (rare for me). I answered honestly; “I’m fine I don’t have anything going on.” That drew blank (and kind of pissed) looks from everyone. “Well,” my cousin said, “He wouldn’t admit it if he had a problem.” That seemed to set everyone at ease that I couldn’t really be that healthy, It was that I just wasn’t admitting it? Yeah Ok.
The fact is at age 54 I don’t have any real health issues (knock on my wooden head), never have. Other than some bent up feet from years of Marine Corps life, nothing. Why? Luck? Good genes? Some of both I’m sure, but I have to believe that working hard at staying in shape all my life had something to do with it. Make no mistake, I’m no saint: I drank my share of beer, and experienced all the stress, lack of sleep and hard work that anyone will experience during a long military career. The difference was that I never really let myself go, never threw the age or rank card, I just kept going. At times I was ridiculed for PTing on the ship, or when we were traveling, on liberty or deployed forward. The fact is I still get this from people my age; “Slow down, what are you trying to prove?” “Your not on active duty any more.”
That’s right I’m not active duty anymore, I don’t have to pass a PFT or a weigh in (though I could easily) but the fact is I still have to live, and to live the way I want to, I need great health and real fitness. The point of all this? To make a simple, but important observation; to achieve and maintain health and fitness takes a long term commitment, and it doesn’t stop at a certain age, when you graduate college, retire from the military, or even when you sign up for social security. It’s an everyday, life long habit.
Yes, I know, we all are going to get old, and sick at some point, that’s life, and none of us will escape it. However with some consistent effort and a little discipline in your life, you can enjoy the benefits of a healthy, fit body for a long, long time, and this doesn’t take a lot of time when you get down to it either. In my book “Corps Strength” I lay out a simple and proven effective fitness plan that takes no more than about five hours a week, and can been used by anyone of any age to get and stay in great shape. It’s never too late to start. Its my plan to stay in the best possible shape until the day they plant my ass, and it doesn’t include any time for sitting round and talking about my health issues. What about your plan? Take care and be safe.
Semper Fi
MGunz
Tags: Corps Strength
Well said!
Great article, simple but right on point! I would also add that even those of us who have, “Bad habits” (I smoke) can still maintain a good work out routine. I am 52 years old, yes I should stop smoking, but I haven’t – yet. Just because you smoke, or eat everything you want, don’t let that be an excuse to not get in good and regular workouts. I am still in far better shape than most guys my age.
Nice article!! I believe the same as you. At 57 I’m still going strong. PT, good eating, proper rest, etc. One thing that I’m learning is that I have to enjoy life and laugh quite a bit; especially at myself. I appreciate much more today than yesterday and treasure my family, friends, and the people I meet. Counting my blessings daily for what’s been given me and making each day the best it can be. Stay Oscar Mike and Never Forget!!! Thanks!!
Good points!
“Move it or lose it” can be understood as “You must maintain your ability to move or you will lose your ability to move”. Keep it moving! Your life does depend on it.
And keep smiling – let people wonder what you are up to.
http://ehstoday.com/health/sitting-still-can-kill-you-sedentary-lifestyle-linked-higher-risk-heart-failure
DEATH IS WINNING
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FIGHT BACK
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Thank you for a great article, enjoyed reading it and I also enjoy reading and following as best I can your other material.
I am just turning the big 50 and besides some knee issues I feel and look better than my counterparts. If I may add anything to this I will say that as a martial artist from a young age up to owning my own dojo at one time one of the greatest lessons taught to me was by a high ranking instructor in our combat jujitsu style.
After a demonstration we held, where the students just killed it with impressive grappling, take downs, weapon handling and body slams that sounded like thunder when the students slammed another to the mat, he sat us all down and congratulated us on a great job. Then he spoke to us about our health and to take care of our bodies. Proper diet, rest, relaxation and to STOP THE SACRIFICE FALLS! He told us when he was young all the sacrifice falls he did for others and he was not mature enough, wise enough to know that later in life he would reap what he had sown. He was now imparting that wisdom and advice to us.
He bowed in respect to us, turned and with the assistance of a cane walked away. From that day forward no one did those spectacular sacrifice falls.
“MOVE or die!”
The mantra for all Marines (and everyone else), regardless of age!
I’m 60 and separated from the Corps in ’86. While I can no longer turn a 16+ minute 3 mile run (thanks Lipitor), I can still max all the other requirements.
No secrets to staying shape, you gotta move and monitor calorie intake. SIMPLE.
Thats for the feedback guys. If you haven’t already, sign up for my free newsletter, I’m sure you’ll like the no nonsense content.
Semper Fi
MGunz
Keep it up, stay strong.