Well this has been an interesting read. I will say you owe it to your self to be in the best shape “YOU” can be in when you go hunting. I think the lack of conditioning is easy to let creep up on an individual. I think the search for light for caliber rifles is a trend brought on by this issue. I have after going out with a light 22 walking and hunting or just plinking then picked up a big bore that was weight appropriate say a 11pound 458 lott and thought what a boat anker. I do appreciate the weight when I have to shoot it. I have to get used to the weight of the rifle I am going to hunt with. The hunter who doesn’t get used to carrying that heavier rifle won’t enjoy the hunt as much or be able to go that extra distance for that special trophy.
I under stand that some people have disabilities that hurt their mobility. I think they can have a good time on a hunt that is tailored to what they can do. I still think they owe it to themselves to be the best that they can be within their limits.
Hope to see everyone in Dallas
Bill

quote:

Originally posted by AnotherAZWriter:
Brett:

I have two goals when it comes to my workouts:

1. Keep my weight at 150 or less
2. Stay in shape so that I can walk as far as necessary

Those goals are constrained by time. I want the max benefit in the shortest amount of time. So I could burn up a lot of calories taking a long walk, but i don't have time (although I do love bird hunting here in AZ and I do walk a lot on my long range shooting sessions). Bike riding is great exercise, but unless I ride for 90 minutes, I don't get the same cardio workout as I do running for 33 minutes, which is how long it takes me on my standard 4 mile run.

I backpack into the Grand Canyon a lot; often we bring newbies who have never done it. They think going down is the easy part. It is not, as you constantly break your downward motion (accentuated with a heavy pack) with your quads. Unless you exercise for that task, your quads are going to be sore the next day. I remember the same feeling on DIY sheep hunts in Alaska: packing that meat down a mountain was hard on your quads, to say nothing about how it beat up your feet.

The best way to train for mountains just might be a unicycle up and down a mountain road. Unless a bike, you brake with quads going downhill, and unlike a bike, it is all work. Just ask the two guys who do it every year on the Durango to Silverton bike race.

Very true!!! My knees and quads were fried after taking that sheep off the mountain thi.....last year!!! You sound like you're doing great with the working out. That said take a look at the crossfit stuff. I don't have time for 2-3 hour workout most of the time either. Using this style (crossfit) of workout I can typically get in a good strength training/cardio workout in 15 minutes or less.

Brett

If only those that are in excellent physical condition could hunt in Africa all of the safari companies and PHs would be out of business.

465H&H

The best way to stay in shape is quit your job and go hunting all of the time ...


I wish

quote:

Originally posted by Aspen Hill Adventures:
Makes me feel good to know Buzz didn't cull me from his first video because of my appearance.

Are you kidding me! I was considering becoming your cyber stalker after watching that video..

quote:

Originally posted by Canuck:
Surestrike! Awesome to hear that you are doing so well! Sounds like you are back to 100%.

I've been following a paleo diet for most of the last 18 months and am feeling much better. Lost 40 lbs ( of which too much was lean mass) but enjoying not carrying the excess weight around the mountains. I've been doing Power 90 and P90X but want to start adding some lean mass back on while I can (early 40s) so intend to start into crossfit.

Cheers,
Canuck

Canuck,

Yes and thank you I am 100% better than I was after my injury and spinal surgery back in 2005! I didn't think I was coming back from that one for a LONG TIME. I was in a deep rut for several years after that deal.

The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth of the hole!!

You'll enjoy Cross Fit as it will give you exactly what you are looking for.

IMO, physical condition in hunting can be determined quite simply; does your physical condition enable you to do the hunt and make the shot? If, yes, you're fine for hunting. If, no, then you've created an unnecessary problem for youself and the PH/Guide, if you are using one.

Before the hunt, ask the PH/Guide about distance, terrain and altitude at which the hunt will take place. Also, tell the PH/Guide about any special physical conditions you have that effect your ability to do the hunt and place the shot. Then condition youself to do the hunt and place the shot under those conditions. Practice as you will hunt is a good rule of thumb; clothing, shoes, weight of rifle, etc. Walk the distance before practicing your shooting.

One thing a lot of folks miss in their practce is that the second shot many times takes place after a short sprint to get clear of any obstacles that have developed now that the target is moving. Try that.

Don't forget mental practice. Imagine the situations that can come up in your hunt and then walk through them, mentally and physically. Get in mental shape.

All IMO

I choose to be in shape for overall quality of life/health reasons. I take it a bit further than most, but I have sworn that I will never be limited from doing the things that I love due to physical inability. When I draw a sheep tag, I will be ready.

The bigger issue for me is that taking care of yourself allows to you hunt for more years, because you'll be alive & able longer. How many of you wish you could have hunted longer with your father or grandfather? I want to be the father/grandfather that is around to do that 40 years from now.

Anyone who wants’ to hunt should be able to regardless of physical condition…

I could personally care less about any other hunter’s appearance or abilities just as long as they are not affecting me directly…

To each his own…

For me personally Africa was a motivation to get back into shape…

I’m twenty pounds lighter than my hunt in Makuti two years ago but have actually lost closer to forty pounds of fat…don’t look anything like the pics in my old hunt report…

I owe it to myself to in the best shape possible for whatever I’m hunting…my other hobby of power lifting conflicts somewhat with being in super great cardiovascular condition but any muscle I’m carrying is better than fat in determining how far I can go…I’ll never be a pencil neck and a lean 250 pounds (< 19% body fat) is my goal to make weight for power lifting meets or before I head back to Zim…

No matter how hard I try I’ll never be in any where the cardiovascular condition of the guys (ph and trackers) I hunted with…I’ll always be the slowest by comparison…

We had to hike quite a few miles up and down the steep hills in Makuti to retrieve the meat from my second buffalo that we left up in some trees overnight…the night before we had set out some Hyena bait and I impressed the trackers by hoisting a large stone by myself that we used to squash down some elephant remains so the hyenas wouldn’t drag it away…they joked that I must be a wrestler of some sort…when we reached the buffalo the next morning I stated to help carry the meat and the trackers laughingly refused my help…he laughed and said “yes you are strong but it is too far”…glad he stopped me because those guys beat me back to the cruiser by twenty minutes while carrying sacs of meat on their heads while all I was varying was my rifle!!!

Endurance strength will beat absolute strength every time when it comes to hunting…

Though I’ve discovered that I’m able to carry and still shoot a rifle much heavier than most hunters would complain about being to heavy…

In 1996 I guided a client from Spain in the Kalahari desert. He was in a wheelchair and he could only move two of the fingers on his right hand and his head.

If a Spaniard is reading this he will know the name - Julio Robles. He was one of the most well known Bull-fighters in Spain.

We had to tie the rifle to the railing on the back of the pick-up as well as his right hand to the gun.

My driver had to manage the truck so that the barrel pointed roughly in the direction of the animal and then I had to help him on his final aim.

He fired 7 shots at animals and he took 6 home. One shot missed completely. None were wounded.

I have the greatest respect for that man. No one apart from us knew in how much pain he was on the back of that truck in the Kalahari sun.

He passed away a few years later and his family contacted us and told us that on his deathbed he said that he wanted to be back in Africa.

If only us in good health could have the dedication of those that don't.

Via con Dios Julio.

We all certainly have a right to an opinion, the current Administration in Washington has yet to remove that right.

However one catches more flies with honey than with vinegar. If you do not have anything nice to say then perhaps it is better not to say anything.

IMO,the most important factor in being in shape is your mind.Body weight is not an indication of physical fitness.You can be light weight and be really out of shape and have a big belly and really be in shape.If your mind is in a depressed state and you don`t feel like going out or doing anything besides going to work and sleeping or in other words nothing ever feels worth the while,this will weaken you throughout.Last year I was in the worst shape I`ve been since years.I don`t know what contributes to a healthy mind.If food nutrients or sunlight or whatever helps prevent depression or it is just a cycle the brain goes through.I remember certain years of being in really good shape and how I felt mentally,the things I would do and places I would go.

quote:

In 1996 I guided a client from Spain in the Kalahari desert. He was in a wheelchair and he could only move two of the fingers on his right hand and his head.

If a Spaniard is reading this he will know the name - Julio Robles. He was one of the most well known Bull-fighters in Spain.

We had to tie the rifle to the railing on the back of the pick-up as well as his right hand to the gun.

My driver had to manage the truck so that the barrel pointed roughly in the direction of the animal and then I had to help him on his final aim.

He fired 7 shots at animals and he took 6 home. One shot missed completely. None were wounded.

I have the greatest respect for that man. No one apart from us knew in how much pain he was on the back of that truck in the Kalahari sun.

He passed away a few years later and his family contacted us and told us that on his deathbed he said that he wanted to be back in Africa.

If only us in good health could have the dedication of those that don't.

Via con Dios Julio

Well said and indeed, vaya con Dios Julio!

Six pages of posts have inspired me to put the Cheeto's down and get some exercise! I feel bad for my PH's guys dragging my fat ass back to camp, not worried about the meat-gazers out there!

quote:

Originally posted by Crazyhorseconsulting:

quote:

Nowhere did he say that certain "types" should not be on TV. He just stated that he prefers shows without out-of-shape hunters. Its a pretty big distinction that you seem to be failing to grasp.

I am not failing to grasp anything, I just believe hunting shows should not stop showing average hunters hunting. I don't believe that hunting shows should just show a certain type of stylized "hunter" as the proto-type/public image of hunters.

No one gave a shit about image back in the days of the old American Sportsman show with Curt Gowdy showing Phil Harris and Bing Crosby hunting and fishing.

I stand by what I said. You totally missed the guy's point and still are. You are arguing against something that was not stated or implied.

quote:

Originally posted by Crazyhorseconsulting:

quote:

I would really like to see this TAA show and see what all the hurah is about.

From my standpoint, the hurah is not about the show, it is about some individuals seemed perception that anyone that is not in as good a shape as they are, are marginal to poor hunters at best.

This is what I mean. You have blown one person's preference to see people that are in shape on TV instead "industry fat cats" (and the people that watch the show likely know exactly what that means) into something it was never about.

I think you are just

I haven't made a response on this issue in almost 2 days, and my last responses concerned people having joint problems due to their line of work, and you accuse me of stirring the pot??

I was thru with the topic till you made your comment. Also, if you'll go back and check, you'll see that I ain't the only one that doesn't care what the folks on the hunting shows look like but would rather see average people hunting.

You never heard the old adage, "let sleeping dogs lie"?

I spoke my peace on something I took issue with, I thought that was an acceptable way of doing things on here, has that changed?

After thirty two years in Law Enforcement, the several injuries and general wear and tear on joints and the spine have taken their toll. I have been shot twice, stabbed, torn my right achilles tendon, tore my right shoulder rotater cuff, tore my right hamstring, had ten serious skin cancer operations, broken right thumb and wrist, and just recently had four neck discs fused and several artificial disks put in.

The pain is constant and severe and despite these problems the prospect of going hunting is the motivating factor I have to try to make the most of what physical capabilities I have left.

I try to walk several times a week and look forward to range sessions and the building of several African guns in the the works. Went once to Namibia in 2009, and plan to book a DG hunt at SCI next month.

Can I do a physically demanding hunt? No. But the motive of future hunts keeps me from living a life of pain pills and lack of physical activity.

quote:

Originally posted by Crazyhorseconsulting:

You never heard the old adage, "let sleeping dogs lie"?

When I lived in Texas it was actually, "Never poke a sleeping skunk".

That being said, could you define "glamour jobs" a little better? A list would be nice. You know, for clarity and all.

Not sure what you mean by "Glamour" jobs, as i have never had a job that I would consider glamours.

The upper eschelon of manufacturing companies and salesmen for such companies whose stress is more mental than physical as compared to the workers on the production line working 8 to 12 hours a day, on concrete floors? Or the owner/manager of a large ranch/farm as compared to the hired hands.

Not real sure on what you are getting at, but a person whose most taxing physical activity is talking to people on the phone, setting in meetings, inputting data into a computer, is simply not the same as the person out in the shop lifting/moving/handling various materials on a concrete floor or out working and feeding livestock/building fences/plowing fields.

A business owner will be under more mental stress than the workers in his/her factory, but they will be under more physical stress. Is that remotely close to what you are getting at, or did I miss it completely?

quote:

Originally posted by Crazyhorseconsulting:
Not sure what you mean by "Glamour" jobs, as i have never had a job that I would consider glamours.

The upper eschelon of manufacturing companies and salesmen for such companies whose stress is more mental than physical as compared to the workers on the production line working 8 to 12 hours a day, on concrete floors? Or the owner/manager of a large ranch/farm as compared to the hired hands.

Not real sure on what you are getting at, but a person whose most taxing physical activity is talking to people on the phone, setting in meetings, inputting data into a computer, is simply not the same as the person out in the shop lifting/moving/handling various materials on a concrete floor or out working and feeding livestock/building fences/plowing fields.

A business owner will be under more mental stress than the workers in his/her factory, but they will be under more physical stress. Is that remotely close to what you are getting at, or did I miss it completely?

Crazy:

These glamour jobs you refer to contribute to obesity. The guy working a physical job is less prone to being grossly overweight than a sales guy.

Salesmen/women who travel a lot eat for free, and therein lies a problem. When a huge steak is something you expense, it is easy to overeat. I see it all the time when I travel. The classic is the 50-60 year old guy wearing out of fashion tassel slip-on's, a golf shirt, dress pants, and huge protruding gut. If he is in 1st class and talking on his mobile before takeoff, a dead ringer for a sales guy who might also suffer from high blood pressure.

I even see it with one of my guys, a 30 year old who complains about his weight. Yet, last month, on a business trip, he ordered a huge steak and baked potato. Why? Because I was paying for it.

But again, none of this has any bearing on the fact that a guy who is pushing 400 lbs is not average and is not someone most of us want to watch on a safari. The rule out to be if a hunter can't even carry his own rifle because he is so physically out of shape, don't show the guy on TV. After all, the "average" guy can do it.

quote:

Crazy:

These glamour jobs you refer to contribute to obesity. The guy working a physical job is less prone to being grossly overweight than a sales guy.

Salesmen/women who travel a lot eat for free, and therein lies a problem. When a huge steak is something you expense, it is easy to overeat. I see it all the time when I travel. The classic is the 50-60 year old guy wearing out of fashion tassel slip-on's, a golf shirt, dress pants, and huge protruding gut. If he is in 1st class and talking on his mobile before takeoff, a dead ringer for a sales guy who might also suffer from high blood pressure.

I even see it with one of my guys, a 30 year old who complains about his weight. Yet, last month, on a business trip, he ordered a huge steak and baked potato. Why? Because I was paying for it.

But again, none of this has any bearing on the fact that a guy who is pushing 400 lbs is not average and is not someone most of us want to watch on a safari. The rule out to be if a hunter can't even carry his own rifle because he is so physically out of shape, don't show the guy on TV. After all, the "average" guy can do it.

You see one side of things, I see another. I have seen guys in the camps that I have hunted in that ranged from marathon runners to folks that got out of breath tying their own shoe.

At no point have I argued againt folks being in the best shape they could be in.

In an earlier post you accused me of having a weight problem, and I said that I don't have a problem, I work with in my personal limitations, do you have a problem with a person that does that? if you do, it is your problem.

Yes I have seen salesmen/business people that were grossly overweight, but I have seen more that were in excellent physical shape, because their job was not as physically taxing so to make up for it they worked out.

Again, if that is what a person wants to to do, more power to them.

I just do not buy into the idea that only the extremely physically fit should be the poster children for hunters. I don't say that the morbidly obesse should be the only one's shown on the hunting shows.

Just like I don't believe clothing fashion models depict real/everyday women.

I also, believe that age plays a strong role in this issue, as the aging process gives people a whole different perspective on things.

Lastly, all I have said in this whole discussion is that average/everyday hunters and fishermen need to be seen on these shows, at no point did I say that grossly overweight individuals should be all that is seen, because as you said, that person is not average, just like the fact that some of the stuff some you all claim to be able to do is not average.

quote:

Originally posted by Crazyhorseconsulting:
Not sure what you mean by "Glamour" jobs, as i have never had a job that I would consider glamours.

Sir,

The use of the term "Glamour job" was yours, not mine, and it's use sounded quite condenscending.

Here's your quote in case you don't recall typing it.

"Shallow/superficial people are just that. Case you haven't noticed, not everyone works at "glamour jobs" some of us have to deal with the real world and real world situations."

I merely asked for your definition of "glamour jobs" since I didn't have a clue that had anything to do with personal health or hunting ability.

IMHO, daily choices of food (quantity and quality) and a regular exercise program that is fun and not tedious certainly can help someone be better prepared for life, let alone hunting.

quote:

Originally posted by Crazyhorseconsulting:

quote:

Crazy:

These glamour jobs you refer to contribute to obesity. The guy working a physical job is less prone to being grossly overweight than a sales guy.

Salesmen/women who travel a lot eat for free, and therein lies a problem. When a huge steak is something you expense, it is easy to overeat. I see it all the time when I travel. The classic is the 50-60 year old guy wearing out of fashion tassel slip-on's, a golf shirt, dress pants, and huge protruding gut. If he is in 1st class and talking on his mobile before takeoff, a dead ringer for a sales guy who might also suffer from high blood pressure.

I even see it with one of my guys, a 30 year old who complains about his weight. Yet, last month, on a business trip, he ordered a huge steak and baked potato. Why? Because I was paying for it.

But again, none of this has any bearing on the fact that a guy who is pushing 400 lbs is not average and is not someone most of us want to watch on a safari. The rule out to be if a hunter can't even carry his own rifle because he is so physically out of shape, don't show the guy on TV. After all, the "average" guy can do it.

You see one side of things, I see another. I have seen guys in the camps that I have hunted in that ranged from marathon runners to folks that got out of breath tying their own shoe.

At no point have I argued againt folks being in the best shape they could be in.

In an earlier post you accused me of having a weight problem, and I said that I don't have a problem, I work with in my personal limitations, do you have a problem with a person that does that? if you do, it is your problem.

Yes I have seen salesmen/business people that were grossly overweight, but I have seen more that were in excellent physical shape, because their job was not as physically taxing so to make up for it they worked out.

Again, if that is what a person wants to to do, more power to them.

I just do not buy into the idea that only the extremely physically fit should be the poster children for hunters. I don't say that the morbidly obesse should be the only one's shown on the hunting shows.

Just like I don't believe clothing fashion models depict real/everyday women.

I also, believe that age plays a strong role in this issue, as the aging process gives people a whole different perspective on things.

Lastly, all I have said in this whole discussion is that average/everyday hunters and fishermen need to be seen on these shows, at no point did I say that grossly overweight individuals should be all that is seen, because as you said, that person is not average, just like the fact that some of the stuff some you all claim to be able to do is not average.

Crazy:

Yes, I do have a problem with people who do not lead healthy lifestyles for the simple reason society is going to pay for their medical care. Be it obesity, cigarette smoking, motorcycle riders not wearing helmets, etc - I have a problem with all of this.

Next year I have to start paying more in Medicare taxes. So I do have a problem with unhealthy lifestyles.

Then as I say, that is your problem, not mine. At 61 years old with a totally screwed up arm due to an accident, I am healing as best as posible and were it not for the fact that I have been active all my life, I would not be as far along in the healing process as I am.

Do you think I like seeing grossly obesse people, if you do, your wrong. But I cannot make them change their lifestyle or habits.

I sincerely hope that you are able to live out your life in top phyical condition, but should age or accident overtake you and rob you of that, I hope you have the backbone and intestinal fortitude to live with whatever condition life leaves you in.

quote:

Originally posted by 470drshooter:
After thirty two years in Law Enforcement, the several injuries and general wear and tear on joints and the spine have taken their toll. I have been shot twice, stabbed, torn my right achilles tendon, tore my right shoulder rotater cuff, tore my right hamstring, had ten serious skin cancer operations, broken right thumb and wrist, and just recently had four neck discs fused and several artificial disks put in.

The pain is constant and severe and despite these problems the prospect of going hunting is the motivating factor I have to try to make the most of what physical capabilities I have left.

I try to walk several times a week and look forward to range sessions and the building of several African guns in the the works. Went once to Namibia in 2009, and plan to book a DG hunt at SCI next month.

Can I do a physically demanding hunt? No. But the motive of future hunts keeps me from living a life of pain pills and lack of physical activity.

With an attitude like that you are welcome around my campfire anytime.

Some of us were born with a few issues but, despite such limitations, we still find a way to hunt, work jobs, enjoy life even if it hurts a lot and we have to move slower than the luckier humans amongst us!



We just never give up and find a way....

quote:

Originally posted by Aspen Hill Adventures:
Some of us were born with a few issues . . .

That is certainly true for a relatively small minority but for most being out of shape is an acquired state brought about by excuses, a lack of self discipline and/or motivation and in many cases just generally letting themselves go.

quote:

That is certainly true for a relatively small minority but for most being out of shape is an acquired state brought about by excuses,

I do not agree with that one bit. There are allsorts of reasons that people either don't stay in shape or cannot stay in shape, and from my experiences it was definitely not a minority situation.

I do not how old you are or the socio-economic group you grew up around, but not everyone in all locations across the nation have the same opportunities.

i would have thought everyone in the country had the opportunity to eat less- it's just that most don't take advantage of that opportunity.

quote:

Originally posted by Woodhits:

His form is a bit sloppy but otherwise



Crazyhorseconsulting - You just have an excuse for everything don't ya?

quote:

Originally posted by Crazyhorseconsulting:

quote:

That is certainly true for a relatively small minority but for most being out of shape is an acquired state brought about by excuses,

I do not agree with that one bit. There are allsorts of reasons that people either don't stay in shape or cannot stay in shape, and from my experiences it was definitely not a minority situation.

I do not how old you are or the socio-economic group you grew up around, but not everyone in all locations across the nation have the same opportunities.

This is simply utter rubbish. Why is it that the population in the United States leads the world in obesity rates . . . it is because we eat like crap and exercise no self restraint. Travel to some other places and you will find that regardless of socio-economic status, occupation, educational background, etc. the population is generally much leaner. In fact, they get a kick out of just how out of shape and obese we are as a population. It is not a class issue, a race issue or any sort of issue other than lack of restraint issue.

You seem to have a chip on your shoulder about socio-economic standing, job status, educational background, you name it. I started out thinking it was just about a difference of opinion, but am about half convinced it is simply a combination of anger and envy.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:

quote:

Originally posted by Crazyhorseconsulting:

quote:

That is certainly true for a relatively small minority but for most being out of shape is an acquired state brought about by excuses,

I do not agree with that one bit. There are allsorts of reasons that people either don't stay in shape or cannot stay in shape, and from my experiences it was definitely not a minority situation.

I do not how old you are or the socio-economic group you grew up around, but not everyone in all locations across the nation have the same opportunities.

This is simply utter rubbish. Why is it that the population in the United States leads the world in obesity rates . . . it is because we eat like crap and exercise no self restraint. Travel to some other places and you will find that regardless of socio-economic status, occupation, educational background, etc. the population is generally much leaner. In fact, they get a kick out of just how out of shape and obese we are as a population. It is not a class issue, a race issue or any sort of issue other than lack of restraint issue.

You seem to have a chip on your shoulder about socio-economic standing, job status, educational background, you name it. I started out thinking it was just about a difference of opinion, but am about half convinced it is simply a combination of anger and envy.

Gotta agree with you Mike.

quote:

Originally posted by AnotherAZWriter:

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:

quote:

Originally posted by Crazyhorseconsulting:

quote:

That is certainly true for a relatively small minority but for most being out of shape is an acquired state brought about by excuses,

I do not agree with that one bit. There are allsorts of reasons that people either don't stay in shape or cannot stay in shape, and from my experiences it was definitely not a minority situation.

I do not how old you are or the socio-economic group you grew up around, but not everyone in all locations across the nation have the same opportunities.

This is simply utter rubbish. Why is it that the population in the United States leads the world in obesity rates . . . it is because we eat like crap and exercise no self restraint. Travel to some other places and you will find that regardless of socio-economic status, occupation, educational background, etc. the population is generally much leaner. In fact, they get a kick out of just how out of shape and obese we are as a population. It is not a class issue, a race issue or any sort of issue other than lack of restraint issue.

You seem to have a chip on your shoulder about socio-economic standing, job status, educational background, you name it. I started out thinking it was just about a difference of opinion, but am about half convinced it is simply a combination of anger and envy.

Gotta agree with you Mike.

You are spot on Mike. Crazy is using age and socioeconomic status as excuses for being overweight and out of shape. That is a truism in the US not the rest of the world. Normally poor = manual labor = skinny. Age does not equal debilitating disease it can be used as an excuse to have debilitating disease and often is.

It really surprises me that this thread has gone on for so long. It further surprises me about some of the posts.

I am 56 years old. I exercise extensively. Tomorrow, I will exercise for 3 hours before I go to work. I lift weights 3 times a week. I do yoga twice per week. I do some form of cardio 6 days a week. Considering my competitive running days, I estimate I have run about 150,000 miles in my life.

Why do I do this? Is is simple. There are 3 basic reasons as follows:

1- Health.

2- The ability to stay mobile and physically stable (not falling) as I age.

3- It helps my ability to deal with stress of which there is an immense amount in my life.

Certainly, it crosses my mind that this all benefits my ability to hunt. I cannot comprehend spending the amount of money that I spend on hunting and going to these other countries fat and out of shape. It makes no sense to me.

I was in Canada in September. My hunting companion was about 12 years younger than me. He literally collapsed from exhaustion after shooting his second caribou. On the other hand, I thought we were just getting warmed up. I was not at all tired. Who had the better chance of success?

Some of the disaster hunts that have been reported here on AR have not been for the reasons given. Some of these have been because the client was so fat and out of shape that they could not walk 400 yards. How in the world can one expect to hunt elephants and not be able to walk 400 yards? These lard asses who were whining here on AR failed to mention this. I just kept my mouth shut about it.

While there are no doubt that there is a certain segment of the population that is over weight because of physical conditions ( sleep apnea or thyroid issues for example) and others because of medications, the large majority is because they do not exercise, they drink too much and they eat like hell. It isn't always easy. I travel a lot, a hell of a lot. I watch what I eat carefully. I was just at Ruth's Chris for dinner. I had grilled chicken that was cooked with no butter and asparagus that was cooked with no butter.

Now, if they will just make low calorie Crown Royal, I will be really thin!

There is no anger or envy involved. Yes, as a whole Americans are not in as good a shape as our neighbors from other countries.

Is it my fault, your fault or anyone else's fault that because America has a higher living standard than most of the world things are the way they are? No.

I am merely stating that because we are Americans, and because for most of us our standard of living is so high, it is easier to over indulge and at no point have I said that was a good situation.

At no point in this discussion have I said that a person should not be in as good a state of phyical well being as possible.

But that state of phyical well being is different from one person to the next, whether by choice or circumstance.

My reference about socio-economic or educational status has nothing to do with envy or jealousy but pure fact, each of us are a product of the environment we were raised in and with few exceptions, that cannot be changed.

Talk about bigotry, some of you seem to be of the opinion that because a person was not raised in the same social environment you were, they are beneath contempt.

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You are spot on Mike. Crazy is using age and socioeconomic status as excuses for being overweight and out of shape. That is a truism in the US not the rest of the world. Normally poor = manual labor = skinny. Age does not equal debilitating disease it can be used as an excuse to have debilitating disease and often is.

TxLonghorn, you don't have the brains God promised a goat.

During my 40 + years of hunting, I have hunted successfully elk/caribou/moose/bear/musk-ox/pronghorn/deer/pheasants/waterfowl and fished extensively. Am I overweight, yes, has that kept me from enjoying some really great phyusical hunts, NO! I have had a complete replacement of one knee, i have a fucked up elbow at present but it has not kept me from guiding people for deer or hogs and doing a days work.

Your making a judgement call that you have no basis in fact for making.

How much actual hunting have you done?

In other countries people are not surrounded with addicting junk food the way we are.There might not be any at all.IMO,it`s getting really difficult to have access to real food and I don`t mean food that is full of growth hormones and drugs etc...Even a chicken you buy in a supermarket is not really a chicken but a ball of drugged fat.Real food is very expensive and not a walking distance from your home.Also,do people have time nowadays to cook and prepare a healthy meal and do they know how? North America is run by cooperations and this is the lifestyle most get.If you can excercise for three hours before going to work then you are probably doing nothing at work and your day is very short.If you go to the supermarket and fill your carriage with real food(if they carry it) you might find that you will not have enough money to pay for it and will have to trade your car in exchange. I wonder what happens when the population goes an entire life time living off the chemies are the reproductive cells damaged? Do their offspring end up being like the chickens I described above?

We (the USA) are not the most obese nation unless you want to manipulate the stats (remember: statistics mean what we want them to mean) to only include developed/industrialized nations. Also, the World Health Organization and most others base obesity on BMI which is as ancient as a typewriter. This is extremely misleading. The "slim nations" you refer to are not necesarily in good physical condition. Look at the mortality rates. I worked with a lot of foreign militaries in my former career; the majority are tough but extremely weak and lacking in endurance.

This does not remove or down play the fact that we do need to hang up the phone and go sweat.

According to the BMI and most other weight experts, I should weigh around 160. The only times I have weighed 160 was when I was in middle school, SERE school, Ranger School, Lancero school, and during battles with malaria, dengue and cancer.

I oversee construction operations in 15 Latin American countries and my fat, "rode hard and put up broke" ass can out work and out walk the majority of our field workers that are half my age. Compare my LATAM field workers with the "obese" field workers in the US: the US has less accidents, less lost days, and better effeciency rating. Looks are only half of it. Some of us are tractors and some are a toyota prius.

A good point was brought up here. After paying my dues (I think), I landed one of those glamour jobs. I flew almost 300K miles last year and was "mission first" for the company. It paid off on many levels but I picked up an extra 20 pounds. I will walk it off now that I have ate through the holidays!

Everyone needs to relax a little. No one on here just fell off the turnip truck. There is no need for personal attacks or taking things out of context. If you have your health, cherish it and keep it up. Most of us can do better, so lets do it.