RCAF Plan
Reader Bill B. weighs in on our running “Live Forever Or Die Trying” program. At 67, he’s knocking out more pullups and pushups than I have since at least 2003, so maybe he knows what he’s talking about. “LFODT” Part 10:
Mutual encouragement on this subject is always good, so I suppose there can’t be too many workout books, blogs etc. But a fitness routine need not be daunting or complicated. My notions:
1. Choose a place to live that is two to four miles from work. Every workday, run (or jog, or at least walk fast) both ways.
2. Enroute coming and going, stop at a park or school playground for pullups and pushups.
3. Do something else on weekends: swim in summer, X/C ski in winter, cycle in spring and fall.
That’s it. With minor variations I’ve managed to arrange my life this way in the course of six different jobs in four states from California to New Hampshire over the past 35 years. It costs practically nothing, and combined with sensible eating it keeps you in shape without much pain or strain. I’ll never break any athletic records, but at age 67 I can still do pullups in sets of 15 and pushups in 50s.
For those who prefer a prescribed exercise routine, I’d suggest the old, simple, effective Canadian Air Force plan. The books are harder to find now, but still available.
Damn. That’s a thing of beauty. You’re right, Bill, mutual encouragement is good. I’m inspired to crank it up a notch. My copy of “Fit for Combat” just arrived, review to follow.
Meanwhile, those RCAF books are not that hard to find. Several options, several price ranges, via Amazon:
The Royal Canadian Air Force Xbx Plan for Physical Fitness for Women (Penguin Health)
The 5BX Plan for Physical Fitness for Men (Penguin Health)
Meanwhile in non-Canadian military workout guides:
The Official United States Navy SEAL Workout
The Complete Guide to Navy SEAL Fitness
The Official Five Star Fitness Boot Camp Workout: The High-Energy Fitness Program for Men and Women
The Official United States Naval Academy Workout
The Official U.S. Air Force Elite Workout
United States Marine Corps Workout
And here’s your commander-in-chief workout.
Previously in the “Live Forever” series:
Old? Fat? Feeling Death’s Icy Chill Down Your Neck? How To Live Forever Part 1, the Crittenden Workout for Middle-Aged Fat Bastards.
How To Live Forever Part 2 The Beer Workout. Drink and be healthy.
How to Live Forever Part 3 Israeli research finding: Advanced geezerdom no bar to exercise’s life-extending benefits.
How To Live Forever Part 4: Fit For Combat You think preparing for combat is healthy? Try combat. Hey, when’s someone going to market the Combat Weight Loss Program?
Run For Your Lives! Just got in that dirty little two-miler …
Danger Zone How to eat all you want this holiday season and not let something dumb like winter interfere with your workout program …
Hurt More You’ll feel better.
Ready to Hurt More Got pain? Learn from the pros.
Working Out On The Go! J.D. Johannes’ Iraqi forward operating base workout.
Topics: Live Forever Or Die Trying!
Posted by Jules Crittenden at 11:11 am Comments (1) on Friday, November 13, 2009
One Response to “RCAF Plan”
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November 13th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
The other end of the spectrum – if you keep fit and happen to get very sick, you will lose a lot of weight (because you can’t eat and the meds make it worse), which you will need to add back before surgery.
Who knew that steaks, burgers, and omelets were health foods?
Bad foods – tofu, yogurt, granola
Just saying.
An hour of treadmill walking and twenty minutes of yoga for dummies completes the regimen.