Nebraskaland

Nutrition as We Age Although the focus of this article is on physical conditioning for the aging hunter, nutrition and recovery are just as critical as the workouts themselves. It is estimated that on a hunt, you can burn anywhere from 150 to 500 calories an hour depending on the conditions. So, having both an "off- season" and "in-season" calorie intake is crucial to maintaining a weight that will not impede your activity level. Imagine being 20-30 pounds overweight and then strapping 20 pounds of hunting gear over your shoulder. You've got no shot to make hunting happen as you grow older if you're not at "playing" weight. OFF-SEASON DIET There are a lot of theories on fad diets. Bottom line: It will always boil down to calories in and calories out. While there is no fast or quick fix to eating right, here are a few tips to help. Minimize Empty Calories – No need to stop eating sugar, just keep it to a minimum. Empty calories such as alcoholic beverages and dressings can add calories in a hurry. Like most everything in life, you can eat most anything in moderation. Eat Small and Frequently – The typical diet of many includes no breakfast, small lunch and a big dinner. That won't work when trying to lose weight and especially when trying to speed up your metabolism. Think about a race car. Only the best fuel goes in, and it goes in at frequent intervals. Our human body is no different. Stay Hydrated – Drinking water frequently also speeds up your metabolism and helps your body process foods. Keep a water bottle by you at all times and avoid sugary drinks. Water is an essential nutrient for survival. There is a reason for that. IN-SEASON DIET You may need to eat more calories this time of year. Depending on what you're hunting, hunger and dehydration can come on in a hurry. Prepare for the Day – Make sure you pack plenty of healthy snacks for the day. Since you never know how things will work out, be prepared for the worst. Almonds, low-sugar protein bars and dried fruit are all good options to pack and carry. DON'T OVERINDULGE Nothing ruins a hunt like overindulging the night before. I have seen many hunts ruined due to lack of hydration and the body not working right. Limit your alcohol intake, and eat during or after you drink to avoid binge eating on that duck blind breakfast . June 2021 • Nebraskaland 33 All of the exercises discussed here can be used for all aspects of hunting, and mixing things up is helpful to avoid boredom and to keep your body from adjusting. As we age, hunting doesn't get any easier. Decreased strength, muscle tone, flexibility, endurance and particularly motivation can make hunting difficult. The thrill of chasing a big buck or getting your boat into your favorite honey hole can lead to a series of pulled muscles, shaky legs and gasping for breath. At almost 60, I am working hard to make sure these scenarios don't happen to me, because I want to hunt well past retirement. As do you. N JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND

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