Fit, or Fit for the Purpose

[Scythe13]

I totally get where everyone is coming from in regards to fitness.

Where you are right now is where you will be if TSHTF straight away. If TSHTF in a years time, you have substantial time to effect your level of fitness over the twelve months from now until then.

Age is a factor, but only in as much as you limit yourself more than your body limits you. I used to train with a guy whom puts me to shame. I doubt I'll be as fit as him...ever! He makes 95% of the British population look pathetic. He trains like a beast, pumps crazy weights, does crazy fitness exercises, has a perfect diet, still competes in bodybuilding, and is in phenomenal condition.....oh, forgot to mention, he's over 70 (I think he's 76 this year)!!!

Studies have shown that older people who start exercising, generally live to a greater age than those that don't. Also, exercise reduces the speed of mental deterioration.

When I say exercise, I'm not talking about walking, or the gym. Exercise should be defined as a series of movements specifically designed to increase resting heart rate or muscular contraction, for a specific purpose. If I go out on my bike, I do that to push my limits over a certain distance. If I am lifting weights, I do that for strength, endurance, power, or whatever purpose I decide I'm working out for. If I run, I do it to raise my heart rate and break a sweat. If I go to the park and chase dogs, that's leisure time!!! VERY DIFFERENT from exercise. Does that make sense?

Exercise is more specific than leisure. Confusing the two will complicate and blur lines. If you keep the two separate, you'll quickly redefine how much you exercise.

Don't get me wrong, chopping wood can be a workout, but there is a difference between chopping wood as fast as possible, to get your heart rate right up and build muscle-memory into your body, than getting a stack of wood and chopping it up over an afternoon. The differences will be speed of replacing the log, force exerted per chop, rate of stacking the wood, and the alike. Carrying a sack of potatoes is a chore. Running with a stack of potatoes to get the job done as quickly as possible, and making a detour around the field to increase the intensity of effort, that's exercise.