Life in the military was physically demanding and required you to keep in excellent shape. Now that you are entering life after service, it may be more difficult to stay fit. You will be busy with your transition and getting your footing in your new life, but listed below are four tips to stay in shape after service.
1. Join an intramural team
Sports are excellent for staying fit, and the team camaraderie is similar to the bond you shared with your fellow servicemembers in combat. A regulation full-court game of basketball or a 45-minute session of flag football can burn up to 500 calories.There are sports for every season, so you will never be without a game or practice to attend.
2. Pick a physical hobby
Maybe you do not enjoy sports. There are still a multitude of methods to stay fit after service. Hobbies like dancing, mountain biking, woodworking and gardening can be physically demanding. In fact, an hour of dancing can burn more than 400 calories. Choose one you enjoy and make it part of your routine a few times a week.
3. Make the world your gym
If you have entered the workforce, you may not have time for many activities. There are still plenty of ways to stay fit during your work week. On your commute, skip the escalators and elevators. Instead, opt to take the stairs every opportunity you get. This is a chance to get your heart rate up and utilize your leg muscles. If you are picking up groceries after work, leave the shopping cart behind and work you arm muscles as you carry your purchases around the store.
4. Watch what you eat
One of the reasons most veterans experience weight gain is because they are faced with more food options than they had overseas. Many of these food options are not healthy. Remember to include plenty of protein in your diet and avoid the temptation to indulge too frequently in sugary or salty snacks. Alcohol can also increase weight gain, so be conscious of this when you go out with friends.
As you can see, there are plenty of ways to stay fit during your life after service. You worked hard to reach your level of peak physical fitness during combat. By following the suggestions above and committing to a healthy lifestyle, you can maintain that level in your civilian life.