What do you older guys do to stay in shape in the off season

[MSDuckmen]

I have started a workout program this year, Now that I’m knocking on 50 I need to figure out a way to stay in shape from one season to the next. Got the thread machine, play Golf walking only, tennis, skiing, softball as well as the turkey and fishing trips I have planned out through the summer.
It has amazed me how out of shape I seemed last year, All I really did to prepare was to run some and play a little softball.
Now I know many of you boys are still pretty young and can still piss across a river but what are you other men doing to keep yourself in shape. Is this just something you don’t worry about and my ego has gone too far.
Last year was one of the toughest years I have had. I feel it was due to the fact that I chased what few birds we had all over this state, to top it off I was alone most of the time and as you know when your alone all the work falls back onto you.
What I would like to know is if there are some of you middle aged guys out there that has an activity that you have found that really helps you to be prepared for the next season. Or if you even worry about it.

[Junior P]

Joined the YMCA last week and went in for my first workout at 5:30 this morning before work. I am 28 and would rather attatck being out of shape before it gets too out of hand. $30 dollars a month for my wife and I is not that bad at all for all the equipment they have.

[CaptnT]

I don't really know if I am qualified anymore to give information about how to get or stay in shape!

The wife and her mother conspired years ago to put thirty pounds on me that I am having a heck of a time trying to shed, with not much luck. I still can out "ruck" the young ones though when it comes to toting a 60lbs+ bag of decoys through the marsh, though.

I started walking early in the morning several years ago, and that has helped. I started off with about a mile, now I am up to three 5 times a week. It takes me about 40 minutes, so I am walking at a fairly quick pace. Last summer I felt like I needed something else, so I started carrying 2 5lb dumbells with me and doing various exercises while I walked. I recently switched to 8lb dumbells and it really made a difference. That's not alot of weight, but I am exercising with them non-stop for at leat 40 minutes.

At night I jump rope for at least 10 minutes. Jumping rope is an excellent cardio-vascular exercise and increases your balance and endurance.

Like I said, I'm no poster boy for physcial fitness, but I can hold my own and then some. Try the jump rope, its easy and inexpensive.

[Meeka]

I was pretty out of shape before last season so I joined the fitness center in early November. By season, I was good to go. Not much to look at, still fat, but good enough to handle, for example .7 mile walk each way, plus gear.

The trick was a Precor machine. It is "eliptical", whatever that means. There is absolutly no impact, so my feet and knees like it. Try a 10 incline, 5 resistance, until you can go for 20 minutes plus a 5 minute cool down. This works you almost identical to hiking with waders through mud; ie- it works the same leg muscles and is a great cardio workout. If you can do that, YOUR BUTT CAN HUNT.

[Haymaker]

Duckmen,

I don't claim to know all there is to know about staying in shape, but I have been working out for about 10 years now and from what I have seen is you need to find a workout routine that satisfies two requirement 1) will accomplish the goals that you have set for yourself and 2) find an exercise program that you enjoy.

I think that the first requirement is important so that you can figure out what type of exercises you need to be doing. For example if your goal is to gain strenght in your upper body, then riding a bycicle is going to do the job. From what you said in your post it sounds like you are wanting to get into shape cardiovascularly(sp??), then I would say that you need to walk, jog, bycicle or do something that gets you heart rate up for 20 to 30 minutes 3 to 4 times per week. If you haven't done type of cardio work in a while, start slow and in shorter time frames say 10 minutes and build up from there.

The second item is that what ever excercise routine that you start is to do one that you enjoy. If you don't enjoy doing your workout, it won't get done.

Just my $0.02 worth.

Darrell

[crow]

Approaching 51, I've decided to excercise all the muscles that allow me to sit for long periods of time! In reality, I walk late in the afternoon/early evening for 4-5 miles 4/5 times a week. I try to do it in 1 hr. to 1hr. 15 min. That does two things. Since I have no time during the day that is my own (I proposed a salary that pays me based on how many times I answer the question, "Hey, got a minute?"), I need the time by my self to process and clear my head. Also, it is the cardiovascular help that I need most. As I approach the season, I do some light weights (my joints and bones can't handle the heavy stuff anymore). I mostly do lunges with dumbells (for the legs), military press with dumbells (for the shoulders), deadlifts with dumbells (for the lower back), curls and reverse curls (for the arms, and light bench (press and butterflies) with dumbells (for the chest). Those are the muscles that get used when I hunt. Notice that I have left any hint of abdominal exercises...dang I hate those!) You really need at least 1 1/2 months of light weitghts for the muscles to respond to the training. All that and I still have to wear a light back brace (neopreme)when I hunt in waders because my back just starts aching after a bit.

When I turned 40, my body just wasnt what it used to be. At 50, it reminds me every day!

[Po Monkey Lounger]

Curling. Plan to be on the 2006 Winter Olympics Mississippi Curling Team.

[Welldoggie]

Hey Ole Bufflehead, I thought the Mississippi curling team convened at the Grove and performed 12 oz. curls (or 20 oz. curls for team Fosters). [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

I used to hit the nordic track three times a week and it made a big difference....I have got to shake the dust off that thing and get back after it.

[Jack]

Junior P, I'm glad to hear your are working out! Now when I come up there, maybe you will be able to chase me around the golf course without passing out! HA HA HA

As for advice for Duckmen, I have found that frequent head-banging sex will do the trick. I tell ya, it keeps me in pretty good shape. I just chase women in the off season so that I will be ready to chase ducks when it comes time.

[MSDuckmen]

frequent head-banging sex [img]images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img]

Dang that sounds like some of that trick F*&King and I've waved off that since my bud took a ceiling fan blade to the back of his head why he and the misses were head banging.

Remember that one Wes? Hehehe

Took the fun right out of it didn't it.

[Jack]

Yea, I can imagine that would make him a little bit gun-shy. Somtimes it's not a bad idea to wear a helmet! he he he

[Crowell]

At 54, I have been walking 2.5 miles, five days a week, for 23 years. I do this early in the morning and my lab stays in excellent shape too. I also do lots of walking in the woods from September on each year. I have tried other exercise but can't stay consistent. I do watch my diet somewhat, and try to avoid excessive sweets. Maintaining your weight is critical in my opinion. Good luck with your effort.

[goosebruce]

Dunno... when is the off season anywho?

Im genecticly predisposed to having a fat gut...it used to go away every duck season.. it dont any more. I can starve myself, and lose 5-10 pounds, hell it aint worth it. Im plenty active, wear most folks out that try to hang with me. Last year was the first year I ever felt I had slowed down much, and it hurt (physically and mentally). I did buy me an ABGYNMIC, gonna be lean, mean & lazy before you know it. travis

[MSDuckmen]

I'm with you Goose, Last year was a tough one on me. I would lug those decoys out of a half mile of muck and think I was dieing.

drug one of those layout blinds near a mile in a cotton field and thought I was going to have to call a paramedic.

Now you know I can hold my own with most men but when you can't do what your mind says you always have, you just got to keep looking for a way to make it easier. And I think I will do more about getting in better condition before this next season. Cause I still believe it is going to be another rough one and I want to be in as good a shape as I was 20 years ago to truck into those holes that no one else is willing.

[jamiebrown33]

meeka if u want to get in shape come down here to FL. they are working my ass off. sprints,2 mile runs and a few poles here and there. it would not be bad if it was not so damn hot and humid. and by the way if i was not always doing all the work u would have a hard time on that .7 miles lol. call me i have a great story for u