Why do we exercise? Published Aug. 31, 2010 By Col. Kimerlee Conner 21st Mission Support Group commander PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Why do we exercise? As individuals, we do physical exercise for many different personal reasons - to maintain our health, relieve stress, and in many cases, to ensure we pass our PT test. We exercise mentally to prepare for challenges ahead - upcoming exams, problem sets at work, etc. Some exercise spiritually to help deal with difficult situations like deployment or personal stressors. We exercise operationally to prepare for terrorist attacks, intrusions into our network, something as common as a power outage, or anything else that might come our way. What do these different forms of exercise have in common? There are three common threads between physical exercise, mental exercise and any other type of exercise. First, is that the intent of exercise is some form of fitness and preparedness. The second is that fitness or preparedness can be very difficult to attain - however, it is much easier to maintain and sustain once it is achieved. The last common thread is anything less than a whole-hearted effort will not achieve true fitness or preparedness. I've already covered the first thread, so let's talk about the second. There is no doubt that exercising can be difficult. Personally I do not like running one bit. I prefer to get my physical exercise by playing tennis, at least there is a purpose - chasing after the little yellow ball. As with anything though, if I do not consistently get out on the court, my proficiency is going to decline. Next time I step out on the court, it is going to be more difficult to play at optimum levels. And although I do not like to run, I know that I have to do it, and if I do not get out there to run regularly, completing a PT test in a decent time seems insurmountable. How many times have you regretted not dedicating more time to your fitness? Now the last thread I mentioned was giving exercise a whole-hearted effort. Motivation can be a very tricky thing. Some people "keep an eye on the prize" so to speak. They constantly remind themselves of the benefits of their exercise. Some people like to compete; therefore they participate in intramural sports to motivate themselves. Some people experience immediate benefits from exercise, in many cases it is a stress releaser. Although I don't like running, I do it anyway, because I know that is the only way I am going to being able to perform to the required level. Mixing it in with my tennis keeps me motivated. Operational exercise is not much different from other forms of exercise. The intent of operational exercise is to achieve fitness and preparedness. We practice our procedures in dealing with bomb threats, natural disasters, and active shooter scenarios so that everyone is certain of where their evacuation points are and to ensure we know the required actions if any of these events were to occur. Operational fitness can be very difficult to attain, it takes effort and practice, but is much easier to maintain once it is achieved. If we didn't simulate scenarios, we would have panic and chaos when a real event hit, and potentially lose lives because we were not adequately prepared. By practicing shelter in place and other related procedures, reactions to these events become common knowledge, automatic, and seem effortless. Finally, anything but a whole-hearted effort will not achieve real operational fitness. Interestingly, in some of our exercises, we have had people who chose not to participate, or decided the scenario did not apply to them. Obviously, this is not appropriate and they are not doing themselves or anyone else a favor if they do not take exercise events seriously. No one is exempt when the real thing happens. Honest reflection is imperative, and if we do not evaluate ourselves with a critical eye, we cannot help ourselves to improve. I guarantee the IG will be giving us that critical look. The next time you run through a self inspection checklist, also pull up the governing AFI(s). Make sure your checklist is up to date. Make sure you understand the intent of the AFI - maybe there is something you could add to your checklist to improve your program and ensure all areas of the AFI are covered. The point is, we should not seek compliance just to pass the ORI/UCI, it should be something you live. All forms of exercising are an important part of our culture. I challenge you to evaluate how you maintain your fitness - physically, mentally, and operationally. Do you want to wait till the last minute to prepare for a PT test? What about an upcoming test? What about a deployment? What about an ORI? Wouldn't it be much easier to maintain readiness than to have to put forth a herculean effort at the last minute?