Scouting
To Keep Myself Physically Strong
- Details
- Category: Scouting
- Published on Sunday, June 05, 2011 10:44 am
- Written by Ken Morgan
When I restarted the website, I thought about how I wanted to organize it. In addition to Scouting, I also wanted to talk about books and movies, technology, and fitness. Not that I'm a health nut, but I am working toward getting generally healthier and I wanted a place to talk about it on occasion. Every so often, these categories overlap. This is such a time.
Part of my reason to get back in shape (if I was ever in shape to get back to) was one line in the Scout Oath, "To keep myself Physically Strong." Since getting back into Scouting just over a year ago, the line "Scouting Rounds a Guy Out" has been floating through my head. Of course Scouting develops well rounded young men, but it seems as we get older Scouting, and the great camp cooks it develops, tends to round us out physically.
I could already see that happening to me, and I knew I had to change it, for a few reasons. First, are my kids. My daughter is an active Girl Scout, and my son can't wait to be a Cub Scout, and I want to not only keep up with them, but be there for them on thier paths. Second is the line I mentioned above, "To keep myself Physically Strong." I really don't think I would have any right to hold these young men and women to this standard if I don't keep to it myself.
As I write this I've lost 18.2 pounds since I began the process in April 2011. More than that, today I weighed in at 233 pounds, well under the Maximum Acceptable Weight for someone 6' 1" to backpack Philmont. Not that I'm heading there anytime soon, but as a benchmark that is significant for me. Granted that's the maximum acceptable, I still have a long way to go to make the Recommended range, which my goal weight of 185 is in line with.
I'm also excited and encouraged by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America for the BSAFit program. National is recognizing the same thoughts I've already had, which is to model Physically Strong in our leaders, not just ask it of the Scouts. I'm proud to be joined by many national leaders of the BSA who are Walking the Walk, not just talking the talk, and doing their part to get physically strong and blogging about their own journeys.
What are you doing to Keep Yourself Physically Strong?