Steve: Why are you training outside? Or even training?

Doug: It keeps me healthy and sane.

Steve: But it is so much effort and not necessary in this day and age.

Doug: I disagree, but if all goes to hell, at least I have my fitness.

Steve: Huh, like a doomsday apocalypse?

Doug: Or the collapse of the dollar. Something like that.

That conversation led me to this post. How OutdoorFitnessProject will help me survive the Doomsday Apocalypse… while keeping my sanity and improving my health. Or at least one of the two.

1. Train Outdoors

Most of the US is covered by woods, mountains, farm land and plains. Training in those surroundings regularly, I have come accustomed to their noises, smells, terrain characteristics andpotential hazards. This will be invaluable for getting away from who knows what. I can quickly climb a tree and find hiding spots.
Growing up in an Urban area I know that city people are scared of the woods, I was. Woods are the domain of bears and psychopaths. Neither of which fit into my life’s plan. This makes the woods near cities an even better place to take refuge.

2. Conditioning

Conditioning is the most important item on this list. At some point, I am going to need to get away from something or someone. Be it a zombie or a disgruntled IRS debt collector holding on to their old ways, I will need my conditioning to be up to the challenge.

3. Get Strong

Living off the land and likely constant travel is hard work. The regular practice of strength training will help me be up to the challenge.

4. Learn to fight

Fighting is part of human nature. Practicing JuJitsu will help me defend my family. It also provides me with confidence which effects the way I carry myself, making me a less likely victim. An additional benefit of training MMA, JuJitsu, Mauy Thai and other martial arts is that it is a ton of fun and develops real strength and the unique ability to size people up.

5. Drink lots of water

Hydration is pivotal for survival. You can live without food for a few days but not water. I am in the habit of drinking lot’s of water and staying hydrated. This will also help me frequently mark my territory. Who knows, that may scare off my trackers?

6. Fast periodically

There will be long periods when no food is available. The practice of fasting will help me get through long periods with no food without feeling like I am going into hypoglycemic shock.

7. Eating natural foods

Knowing what to forage and eat off the land will be critical to survival. This knowledge will also be valuable to my family and others I am trying to help. I have a lot of work to do here. I am not even sure I can identify Poison Ivy.

8. Learn to cook

Essential, and everyone loves a good cook.

In a doomsday scenario money and possessions will be worthless. Fitness and know how and some luck will help me survive and add value to those around me. At least in my mind this is how it will play out. Let me know your thoughts.