In about 2 weeks, I’m going to give a 1-hour class to a group of National Guard Soldiers who have failed the physical fitness test. Most fail due to slow run times, but push-ups and sit-ups get a few as well. My thought was to focus on lifestyle rather than on the test itself. These folks are non-athletes, young (20-24 y/o), and average 20-40 # of excess bodyweight. The 2 main themes (tentatively) are:
diet- what type of food is eaten, stuff to sharply limit, and when to eat (and when not to)
activity level- need a minimum of 3-4 sessions of dedicated exercise (cardiovascular) per week, 30+ minutes per session. Also alter lifestyle to burn more calories- self-powered transportation.
I want this to be relavent to these folks, and help them. They’ll already be a bit skeptical of what I have to say b/c I’m the “athletic guy who races and stuff” in the unit.
I have some thoughts for you. At my work, in the FD, we have hired some recruits who also are not as physically fit as they should be. One of the Lieutenants asked me what should be done and what his responsibilities are as far as helping these guys get into shape.
I told him that, at most, he can probably do some outcome based testing (dummy carries, tool usage, rescue simulations, etc.) to get some sort of a quantitative score to base future improvement. He was concerned because he did not want to open himself up to having to “get a guy into shape” during his probationary period where he is basically an at-will employee. I told him that I don’t believe that there would be any expectations for him to have to teach them how to live a healthy lifestyle, or how to lose weight, or how to increase strength or endurance.
I would definitely make sure you are aware of what the expectations are on YOU before you take on this responsibility. While it may seem convenient to your unit commander to have you a “fitness geek” in the unit and to use your success to try to help these guys, I would make it clear that you are not actually a fitness professional (unless you are) and that what has worked for you in the past may or may not help other people. There are actually professionals that can be hired that have a lot of experience helping people get motivated to lose weight. Not everyone finds success with similar weight-loss methods and sometimes different techniques need to be used for different people.
So that said, one thing that I would stress to these people is that they should concentrate on LIFESTYLE CHANGE rather than diet and exercise. I am in the process right now of collecting research on successful weight loss methods for a research class I am taking. The literature is surprising in many ways. For instance, there is no overall proof that diet and exercise gives better results than diet alone in the long-term. THere also is VERY LITTLE research that has been done to show any difference between successful weight loss and exercise program vs. active lifestyle. This would seem to be a big concern for the audience you are targetting. There actually is a few studies out there that were done with National Guard troops and weight loss. Apparently, the competitiveness of those kinds of groups helps a bit.
I would stress though that no matter what, if lifestyle change is not effected than there will be rebound weight gain after the cessation of any fitness program.
That does help a bit- thanks. I may take a look and see what sort of findings I can find in the National Weight Control Registry- a data base of people who have lost weight and kept it off long-term; its been in use for 30-40 years, if I’m not mistaken.
Honestly, I have no responsibility for the group per se; in a few years, I’ll return as the unit’s PA, so I do have that interest in their medical fitness to do the job. Beyond that, I view it as my responsibility to try SOMETHING since they’re Soldiers and I have some knowledge/ability that may help. It seems like long odds that it will make a difference with many of them- people have to WANT to change. However, if it helps one, its worth it.
I’ve given many diet, exercise, and health seminars to groups of young athletes. The audiences lately have been the most emotionally delicate of the populace as well. (HS girl swimmers)
I believe you are on the money with the two themes you have chosen.
These two topics will take the entire 1 hour session just scratching the surface.
I would like to respectively suggest that you keep it positive. Let them know how much success is possible in a short time by cutting garbage calories, and adding the amount of movement you expressed.
Thanks. Positive should be easy to do- its something I believe in. I’m debating on using personal experience- I took the “eat less, train more” mantra to heart, to the tune of 24# in 8 months, plus retooled my lifestyle. It seems like this might appear a bit sanctimonious; I’d like to get general appeal, rather than have half the audience just say “yeah, easy for you to say”. Sadly, there really is no “improve in x time or else”; they won’t be able to re-enlist, but many aren’t in it for the long haul, just some school benefits. It would be good to net a few long-termers, though…
You might cite the data that those who eat less live longer and that runners have less problem with erectile dysfunction as they get older. Of course, the last one probably wouldn’t bother them as they think there is a pill for this now. However, you then might point out to them that the pill is only for those who are healthy enough for sex.
Anyhow, don’t preach to them. they have heard it all before. However, the more they keep hearing the same thing the more likely one or two of them will actually change things. You could perhaps find some pictures of some clydesdales who have finished an ironman or triathlon such that they might learn that they can be “healthy” yet still eat. Change one thing at a time.
Honestly, these are National Guard guys. They should understand their what they are getting into and why they need to have some minimum level of fitness. Harden them up! Tell it to them straight. I don’t think dancing around it is going to help most of them at all.
Honestly, these are National Guard guys. They should understand their what they are getting into and why they need to have some minimum level of fitness. Harden them up! Tell it to them straight. I don’t think dancing around it is going to help most of them at all.
—Scott
LOL. Dude, you have no clue… I’d love to, and will find my way back to the Infantry in short order once through school. I was assigned here because the PA slot is open (has been for a long time), and I need an empty slot to sit in while in school. Rather than just mail it in until school, I figure I might as well do what I can to help the unit. HTFU works great for me, but would likely cause some of our Soldiers here to go AWOL… Luckily there’s an SF unit right down the hall.