Death To Zombies

Honestly, it’s not like there’s really a time when fitness isn’t a good idea, but hear me out for a few minutes.

Many people take the time to prepare dilligently for emergencies.  They make their shopping lists, they learn to stockpile, they learn to rotate their stock so it doesn’t go bad.  They attend camps and learn new skills.  Maybe make some contacts with local CERT officials or the Red Cross.  This is a lot of time and energy but consider that a time of stress and greater demands upon your body may lead you to fail in areas if you prepared your body as dilligently as you prepare your home, financial investments, family and pets.

In my particular case the warning came when walking two flights of stairs was making me out of breath.  So I bought a Wii Fit and started exercising.  How embarrasing to find out that 10 minutes of hula-hooping would poop me out.  And not just in the muscles but my joints ached for days too.  So I’ve started on a triathlon training program.  I chose that because I have a background in triathlon and so it’s an easy way for me to get back in shape.

In particular I’m using a plan called the Couch to Sprint program that Michael Pates came up with.  He was a heavy guy who decided that he could do a triathlon even if he was still fat.  Then he wrote a book about it When Big Boys Tri.  But there are other programs for people who just want to run or bicycle.  Google it and you’ll find lots of interesting ways to get back in shape.

Now the swimming in triathlons and my general body type basically make me a strong person no matter what I do.  Adding muscle isn’t hard, it’s just hard to keep the fat off.  But if that isn’t true for you I also encourage you to look into some weight training or water aerobics.

Anyhow, I’m no dietitian or personal trainer and I’m certainly not a doctor.  I’m sure you should talk to a doc before you change your level of exercise.  But I urge you to add a physical training component to your disaster readiness plan.  It just may save your life!