Self defense must include defense against poor health

[BabaBlueJay]

Two members of our gun club died recently of heart attack. One was my neighbor, who got me into the club, and one was her employee who worked as a maintenance guy for her rental properties. Both had guns/gear for every occasion and practiced frequently at the club. While this may be harsh to use them as an example, it's real, and I hope it serves as a wake-up call (including to myself) of the importance of personal health in self defense. They were both morbidly obese, and I think in the 2A community there is a lot of that from my experiences. I think it's easy for people to get so caught up in preparing for home intruders/bears/tyrannical government that they neglect the much more realistic threat of poor health. I am not saying to not buy guns or shoot less at the range, I am just saying that being in good shape is as important or moreso and that many of us are at far greater risk of heart attack than being attacked by a person or animal. Stay safe out there, and whatever you choose to do, I wish you a long healthy life friends.

 

[Frailer]

Sorry to hear of your friends' passing.

 

[petepeterson]

An excellent point, one which should seem obvious, but is typically ignored. Agreed, I see a lot of wanna-be "operators" that huff and puff after wrestling with a bag of Cheetos.

In my 50s now, not the cat I used to be, but I can still run a few miles with some weight on, if need be. I couldn't fight Mike Tyson, but I might be able to bore him while he was chasing me (if he gave me a large enough head start!)

Grandkids are a fantastic stamina builder and training tool.

 

[.455_Hunter]

Totally agree. As somebody who was pretty skinny in my youth through my 30's, my 40's have not been too kind. Working fulltime, family events, kids activities, plus helping my elderly parents has caused a negative impact. Losing weight, getting in better shape and lowering BP is definitely a goal. For most, putting that $500 towards an exercise bike is a far better option than another case of ammo to blow next weekend.

 

[.38SuperMan]

I'm living proof you have to stay proactive with your health. My Doc discovered prostate cancer that was successfully treated 8 years ago and a year ago had me get a coronary calcium score CT which lead to nuclear stress test and then a heart cath where I received a stent. I had a 90-95% blockage of the LAD and was on the fast track to a fatal heart attack. I had no markers that would suggest a problem but my Dr is always looking at possible problems.

I'm 75 and generally in good health, as I sit writing this and nursing my self back from Covid. But you don't know what's lurking in the shadows. Take care of yourself, eat right, exercise and keep up with your medical care. All the toys in the world won't do us any good if we're not around to enjoy them.

 

[Rammer Jammer]

A member of another forum seems to take a class every month and will share a few pictures of attendees. He is obese and typically 75% or more of his classmates are obese.

While they may be good shooters and have more tactical skills than the average carrier they are far more likely to die of medical complications than from a defensive encounter.

Sometimes he shares unintentionally funny pics or videos. One in particular was the fat carrier ducking up and down, back and forth between what were basically saw horses. He thought it was a cool and fun part of class. I thought it was hilarious watching a donut operator huff and puff, dodge duck dive dip and dodge between shots!

Train with your gun but work your body too. All that high speed low drag stuff won't matter if you're having a heart attack or just unable to move fast enough. We don't all need to be Navy Seals, but keep in at least somewhat decent shape.

But while taking class after class and getting fatter and fatter the donut operator describes himself as...
"Sigma, lone Wolf, lots of alpha traits, but independent; packing up in the hierarchy is not something I care to be a part of. We make our own way."

 

[BabaBlueJay]

A member of another forum seems to take a class every month and will share a few pictures of attendees. He is obese and typically 75% or more of his classmates are obese.

While they may be good shooters and have more tactical skills than the average carrier they are far more likely to die of medical complications than from a defensive encounter.

Sometimes he shares unintentionally funny pics or videos. One in particular was the fat carrier ducking up and down, back and forth between what were basically saw horses. He thought it was a cool and fun part of class. I thought it was hilarious watching a donut operator huff and puff, dodge duck dive dip and dodge between shots!

Train with your gun but work your body too. All that high speed low drag stuff won't matter if you're having a heart attack or just unable to move fast enough. We don't all need to be Navy Seals, but keep in at least somewhat decent shape.

But while taking class after class and getting fatter and fatter the donut operator describes himself as...
"Sigma, lone Wolf, lots of alpha traits, but independent; packing up in the hierarchy is not something I care to be a part of. We make our own way."

Sounds like a gravy seal yeah I see a lot of that and the bio is hilarious. Maybe I shouldn't mock it but I see a lot of that in the tactical classes too. People who can shoot but couldn't run a mile if their life depended on it. Training the body is just as important as training marksmanship or tactical movement. There is a reason the real operators never look that way after all.

 

[.38SuperMan]

I'm afraid most of us have some extra weight on us. When I was a kid 75 years ago you hardly saw an obese person. We didn't have fast food and most families ate home cooked meals not something from a package full of fat, cholesterol and sodium.

If you look at the portions served in restaurants, I'm not talking fine dining, the portions are 2-3 times what we should be eating. I'm afraid I'm a produce of years of conditioning from my mother telling me to clean my plate and don't waste food. And when I was a kid we didn't sit around a TV set because there weren't any TV's, no TV stations. We got out and played with our friends, rode our bikes and ran.

Now our lifestyle is just too soft and we're paying the price with our health.

 

[6518John]

I swear when I joined the forum the TOS said no math or weight loss will be required!!

 

[.38SuperMan]

I swear when I joined the forum the TOS said no math or weight loss will be required!!

I exercise on a recumbent bike and watch gun videos while I'm riding. Easy on the arthritis and I learn something while being entertained. I try to go 5 days a week for a minimum of30 minutes but some videos are longer and I like watching them to the end.

 

[Shibadog]

I'm afraid most of us have some extra weight on us. When I was a kid 75 years ago you hardly saw an obese person. We didn't have fast food and most families ate home cooked meals not something from a package full of fat, cholesterol and sodium.

If you look at the portions served in restaurants, I'm not talking fine dining, the portions are 2-3 times what we should be eating. I'm afraid I'm a produce of years of conditioning from my mother telling me to clean my plate and don't waste food. And when I was a kid we didn't sit around a TV set because there weren't any TV's, no TV stations. We got out and played with our friends, rode our bikes and ran.

Now our lifestyle is just too soft and we're paying the price with our health.

73 here. Same thing with being a kid. Good home cooked food, cooked in bacon grease or lard (the natural choice). Nobody in the family was overweight, all were thin and healthy. Primarily because of plat for the kids and hard physical work for the adults. Now few folks do physical work, food is Chuck full of artificial **** and everybody's packing more weight than they should.

 

[URIT]

Our waistline measurement is a real good indicator of our risk to life threatening illnesses. Most sources say 40" waistlines for men and 37" waistlines for women are healthy, but some like the diabetes and heart associations have even stronger guideline.

A new dietary strategy is encouraged by health care professionals to reduce health risks and waistline together.

During my battle of the bulge following a heart attack 18 years ago (age 59), I have found that reducing the amount of simple carbohydrates from my daily total carb consumption works best.

Separating complex carbs (good carbs) from simple carbs (not so good) can be a PITA in the beginning. Once you've learned what to avoid the task becomes easier and the daily carb count more favorable and healthy.

 

[cracker57]

two years ago I was humping hills and deer hunting in Oct. like I was in my 30's( I was 66 and in good health). December found me in the hospital with the flue and a heart beat of 180 BPM. took 6 days for the doctors to get my heart to slow down and I also had AFIB. I lost 25 lbs in 6 days and could not stand on my own for 60 seconds. I have had an ablation done and was taking 3 meds. It took 3 months to get my strength back and I can't work out the way I used to. But I fought hard and now have a somewhat regular heart and take no meds, I hate taking meds.
I do what I can and now feel I need to keep up on my shooting even more, as I can no longer run or fight with the thugs. I feel like a wounded deer or should I say an easy mark among predators.

 

[Doug M.]

Personal anecdotal report. I was relatively weak and fat in HS. During college, I had a delusion of applying for Marine OCS and started training to their PFT of the time. I ran, and ran a lot. I started going to gyms and training with some fairly tough athletes (not body builders). I used to max the LE PFT (Cooper test) which as far as I know was first used seriously in Illinois in the 80s.

Part of the training goal was of course prevailing in fights, and conveying the impression that fighting me was a really bad idea. I was pretty muscular - I had to take off a dress shirt to get a shot because I could not roll up my sleeves. I had to stop running after a weird foot injury, but I already had exercise bikes. I have broken most of them and am on my sixth which has been repaired several times. My typical CV training on the bike involved at least 30 minutes and up to an hour of getting to 90+% of predicted max heart rate. I sweat so heavily that I had to change shirts twice to go the gym. In-service control tactics training was ... interesting and I was told by a couple of assigned partners that I was too strong to overcome one on one.

My kidney problem was first diagnosed when I was almost 50. The initial treatment tested my pancreas and it failed, so I became diabetic. Eventually that was controlled pretty well, mostly exercise, some diet. My kidney failure progressed to the point that I was being screened for transplant. Part of the testing involved a cardiac workup that resulted in stenting then an eventual bypass. My ticker was fine, but some of the arteries were not. Likely genetic based on family history. The recovery from that, a GI bleed, and then hernia surgery cost me a lot of conditioning. I do what I can, but recovering has been ponderous. (My regard for the various medical folks is very high; they have taken good care of me.)

My appetite has decreased, my power and weight along with that. My dry weight for dialysis started at about 220, I am down to about 190 now. Within the realm of people in need of a transplant, I am doing pretty darned well. I do what I can to make it work. Investing in your health is part of the battle. I too have seen food blisters at classes who not only could not do what they needed to, but presented a risk to others because of their performance problems.

If one looks at the general advice about fitness training, much of what is recommended is ok for people whose lives do not depend on fitness, and is designed not to intimidate them. A more detailed bit of personal research will lead you to a far more vigorous program. Is this a bit harsh? Yes. Does that make it untrue? No.

My genetics are to some extent crummy. Overcoming them matters. Your body, your choice, but reality is a harsh mistress.

 

[.38SuperMan]

My cardiologist said my clogged artery was genetic. My dad was in good health but had smoked but otherwise low cholesterol and triglycerides. He passed away at 72 from a massive heart attack.

I've always had low numbers too and never smoked but something triggered a blockage. I believe that much of our life and outcome of life are predetermined by our genes and there's no escaping what happens. If you have really good docs like I have hopefully they'll catch these issues and intervene before something serious happens.

 

[Magnum_PI]

Sorry for the loss of your friend.

It cannot be overstated. If you don't have your health, you have nothing.

It's important for us to take care of ourselves and to push those around us to do the same.

None of us are getting any younger. Each year will get tougher, so start now and make the changes you need.

Your families will also be most likely counting on you to be around, as will your friends, your kids, your pets, etc.

 

[petepeterson]

We must not watch the same news channels.

 

[Echo40]

I've always been an advocate for physical fitness, especially for those who are into self-defense. Of course, the first rule of gunfighting is to have a gun, but if you can't freely move around without becoming winded, then obviously you're at a disadvantage against opponents who can.
Furthermore, I think it's useful to know at least some form of hand-to-hand combat, so that you're not completely defenseless if you're disarmed.

Obviously, this applies to those who are young and healthy enough to exercise. If you're not capable of working out due to age or a medical condition, then that doesn't apply to you because you're most likely already doing the best you can, and there's no shame in that.
Heck, I'm only 38 yet I've already had to make adjustments to my daily workout routine since I just can't do the same kinds of exercise without beating myself up anymore, but I'm still doing my very best to stay in shape and I recommend that others do the same.

If nothing else, then at least try to eat right and keep your weight down. As someone who used to be extremely heavy — 276lbs back in 2017 — yet has lost a lot of weight and gained a lot of muscle over the past several years — currently 202lbs — I can easily say that it makes a huge difference not having to carry all that weight around.

 

[Rustyt1953]

I've never met a trigger I couldn't pull.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

People age differently and the late Jack LaLanne was quite active to the age of 96. While I knew cops who died of health issues in their 30s and 40s.

Once a month a group of retired cops get together for breakfast. I see everyone in various stages of aging. One thing is one day you will need to hang up your six shooter. One tough old timer (80+) who was wheelchair bound still carried a S&W four inch .38 in a shoulder holster. But most octogenarians do not carry or bother with the annual LEOSA qualification.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

I've never met a trigger I couldn't pull.

In the Senior Community that topic, trigger pulling comes up.

 

[snubbyfan]

I'm a big proponent of health and fitness. I go to the gym on a regular basis, make sure to do lotsa cardio and eat healthy.
I had a fitness assessment done last month and at 61 years of age and 5'8" tall, I weigh 158 pounds and my bodyfat's at 11%.
The thing is, I like to exercise. I always look forward to my next gym visit.
In the summer, my cardio is to go outside and play. Biking and hiking the local mountain trails.
That being said, I know that not everybody's that much into fitness but people could just watch what they eat a bit more closely and make healthier choices. So many people treat their bodies like dumpsters, fill them with garbage and seem surprised when their health fails.

 

[BabaBlueJay]

I'm a big proponent of health and fitness. I go to the gym on a regular basis, make sure to do lotsa cardio and eat healthy.
I had a fitness assessment done last month and at 61 years of age and 5'8" tall, I weigh 158 pounds and my bodyfat's at 11%.
The thing is, I like to exercise. I always look forward to my next gym visit.
In the summer, my cardio is to go outside and play. Biking and hiking the local mountain trails.
That being said, I know that not everybody's that much into fitness but if people could just watch what they eat a bit more closely and make healthier choices. So many people treat their bodies like dumpsters, fill them with garbage and seem surprised when their health fails.

I hope I am in that good of shape at 61! Outstanding example man, that is inspirational to me when I'm feeling lazy at 36 sometimes.

 

[Rpg]

If your objective is to maximize the number of years in your lifetime, you'll certainly do better staying in shape than carrying a gun.

 

[Doug M.]

It is not years in isolation, it is years in which you can do the things you value. My office was the coroner's office by statute until 10 years ago, and I went to a lot of calls for folks who had spent 30 years falling apart and dying a slow miserable death. That is not for me.

I just had a visit with my nurse at the kidney clinic yesterday. She noted that for all my conditions, I am darned good condition, a significant outlier in the population of their patients. Even with dialysis, I work full time and train at least 5 days a week. I don't do much else, but part of this is an investment in the quality of my life and the eventual transplant.

 

[BB57]

Despite regular bike riding, swimming, cave diving and back packing I had a widow maker heart attack on May 22. No prior heart history, clean PCP physicals and flight physicals with no indication of heart disease.

They initially installed two stints and in the catch lab mentioned they didn't see much plaque but a lot of clotting. They felt it formed in weeks at the most. They also diagnosed an intussusception (telescoping of the intestines) right below my heart that probably contributed to the cardiogenic shock and possibly caused the clotting. It's hard to say as adults just don't get an intussusception, so the data correlating with heart attacks is virtually non existent,

They weaned me off all the IV meds with the intent of sending me home and I coded 18 days after my heart attack. Back on IVs plus external support to keep me alive until they assessed me for a transplant, got me on the list and got me a new heart.


A few of my friends have said it better something to the effect of "I can't believe this happened to a fit guy like you rather than a fat….like me!"


In short you can eat right, exercise and still get bit hard. Nothing is guaranteed.

Now to be fair, being very strong and fit ultimately improved my outcome. While I lost 30 pounds in nearly 8 weeks on the hospital I walked up to a mile a day whenever possible in the hospital (with a Swedish walker and an entourage of two nurses rolling my impella and IV stand).

It made a difference as I blew through the Thoracic ICU post surgery in three days - a record for a heart transplant patient - and was out of the step down unit and discharged in 4 more days.

I'm still way ahead of the curve although building back muscle and adjusting to a heart rate run by hormones rather than a vagal nerve response is taking some time.

Even if you do get bit hard, being fit still helps.

——

It has also, at least in the near term, limited my self defense options. I'm in no condition to fight or run from anyone and am at increased risk for a number of medical reasons. So any would be assailant is even more likely to be met with the potential for deadly force as it's all I've got right now.

 

[Bald1]

Bottom line is you just never know. For anyone serious about self defense, physical fitness should come naturally. However I understand some people have limitations for whatever reason. All we can do is our best. Watch what you eat and move around as much as you can. I was an athlete more whole life. I lifted weights my whole life. At age forty I decided I'd try to bench double my body weight. I put up 405 but ended up gaining over 20 lbs to do it. Not necessarily a good 20 lbs. so I never was able to do double. What I realized is, although I was strong as an Ox , I felt sloppy. So I slowly lost the added weight. I'm 55 now. My goal is to still bench 315 at age 60. We'll see how it goes. But you've got to have goals. Especially when the arthritis and fatigue set in. Stay focused and keep your eye on the prize.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

One thing we should touch on is inherited issues. If you have bad DNA you got bad DNA.

My father was Type I Diabetic and my F-I-L was Type I diabetic. No matter what you do you will die younger than your peers.

One of my cop partners died shortly after retirement at 60. His son also Type I died two years later at 40.

 

[cmansguns]

NOTHING like a heart attack to "wake you up"

I was definitely Mr. "It ain't going to happen to me". 20 lbs overweight, pack a day smoker for 64 years, sit-on-my-butt desk job for the last 30 years before retirement 5 years ago. Now age 79 July 1, 2024....just 30 plus days ago: BIGTIME heart attack...complete blockage of main left artery...luckily for me...wife got 911 ambulance here quick enough and ER hospital and docs great.

Now home.. twice a week cardio rehab program at hospital (bikes, treadmill, upper arms machines, monitored sessions) other three days per week treadmill at home and exercise bike at home. Had the machines at home for 30 years, used by wife and kids when they lived here, seldom by me.

Eating habits changed tremendously, fish twice or more per week, healthy grains and vegies, more fruit, and the big one: Cold turkey stopped smoking...haven't had one, don't want one, since that night July 1.

Results so far? 7 pounds weight loss in 30 days (now 187...goal 165 or better). Feel so much better, WANT to get out hiking again...can't wait for fall (cooler weather).

So....yea.........treat yourself to better health while you can!!!!

 

[snubbyfan]