I want to join the military, but im too heavy?

straker

You're only 16, so like you said, you have 2 years until you're 18 and intend to enlist. When I went through basic combat training (BCT), I knew several overweight kids, who were shorter and heavier than you by the way, that lost up to 40 pounds! Like you said, again, you have two whole years to get in shape. If you're motivated and committed, which you sure better be if you intend to make the greatest commitment you can make (serving your country!), then you can sure as heck start shaving off the pounds now, buddy. If soldiers can lose 40 LB in only 10 weeks, you can lose a heck of a lot of weight in two whole years.

Remember: No matter where you are at now, you can improve, and improve greatly. Get started now, because there's nothing drill sergeants take more pleasure in than making "fat" soldiers miserable. I guarantee you if you show up to BCT, or any military training, overweight and out of shape that you will be putting yourself in a living hell on a day-to-day basis - it's as simple as that. Don't make joining fat camp your goal - it exists and believe me it's the last place you want to be at training.

Motivate yourself. kid, and set some reasonable goals. Keep it simple, try this: Start with running 10 minutes, however long you can go, and don't worry about distance. Make it your goal to not stop, to not quit, No Matter What! Do that 3 times a week for about 5 weeks, and then increase the total time of your run by 5 minutes. Do that for a few more weeks, then repeat. Let's say your running days are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

In addition to running 3 times a week, start doing muscle conditioning 3 times a week. Do it on your off days for running, so Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Sunday can be your training holiday, just like during real military training. For muscle conditioning, also keep it simple. On your first day, max out a set of sit-ups and push-ups, and see how many you can do of each. After you've completed your max set, subtract that set by 2 reps, and then repeat that set. So say you do 20 sit-ups and 20 push-ups on your max set, next time you'd do 18 and 18, then 16 and 16, and so forth, all the way down to 0. Try to increase your initial max set by 2 every week!

All you need to do is run, push-ups, and sit-ups, it's that darn simple. If losing weight is also one of your goals, I'd highly recommend adopting a strict diet. A very good example of a military-esque diet can be found here: http://www.military.com/military-fitness/nutrition/three-hour-diet This diet focuses on eating several small meals throughout your physically active day, rather than over-eating during normal meal times.

Remember, you can do it! And the more effort you put into getting into shape and losing weight now, the better prepared and happier you'll be at your military training. It could be the difference between training being a great, positive experience, or being a living hell.

Good luck, future soldier! There's nothing more admirable one can do than serve one's country. And let me pass on a quote, said by Theodore Roosevelt, that my girlfriend sent to me long ago while I was at Army BCT. It has stayed with me ever since, and should mean a lot to anyone who is trying something challenging like joining the military, and has uncertainties (as we all do) about our potential for success.

"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat."
-Theodore Roosevelt

dsan

you can easily get into fantastic shape by the time you're 18

if you're willing to put in the effort and commitment

and if you're not, i don't think the military is the right place for you anyway

Mr Puma

At six feet in height the maximum weight is 190. So you are not too far off. If you are going to start some sort of training program remember this, muscle weighs two and a half times more than fat. Some people don't understand that the goal of dieting and exercising is not to lose weigh but to lose fat. They start their program and will drop ten pounds real quick but then after a few weeks they aren't losing any weight but are in fact gaining weight. That's because muscle is denser than fat so they think that they are gaining back the fat they initially lost. Wrong! It's muscle.
You are ready know which foods are good or bad. Eat the good. Don't eat the bad. When you start to exercise don't go all out and start running five miles or doing massive amounts of sit ups, push ups, pull ups and stuff. It won't work. You'll burn yourself out. If you can, walk to school. Ride a bike. Shoot some hoops. Turn off the 'puter and tv and go out side. Do something. Anything. As long as it's not sitting on your butt.
I hope you understand what I'm trying to tell you here. You are wanting to do something in life that a lot of people can't. Protect people that can't protect themselves and that takes a very special person. Thank you for wanting to serve your country.

100% EspaÃ±ol

Once you join the millitary you will be in tip top shape before you know it, however if you feel you are "heavy" perhaps you should incorporate more activity in your daily lifestyle, such simple things such as cutting on the fast food and more walking

U know?

exicese, eat health dont expect the fat 2 just roll of u got 2 work hard at it

devildawg367

Hey, dude. Lighten up!

Decisivness

Yeah you will to lose roughly 30-40 pounds. There are fat camps out there it, they might not be military camps but they will definitely help. But regardless, if you want to join the military then you should know that you will need discipline, you need to start eating better and working out everyday if you have to until you lose the weight.

alexander m

depends on if that 200 pounds is fat or muscle. if its muscle, then dont worry about it. if its flab, then time to go on a diet and start hitting the gym and running, tubby

wllshtt

well first and foremost congrats on enlisting i am too!! but depending on the branch your going into they might consider you heavy and they might not. but my advice would be to go on military.com and they have a plan that you an use to prepare yourself both mentally and physically for basic training so just use that. you got two whole years to lose the weight don't sweat it!

DesertRebel

Dude your 16, you have loads of time to lose weight. Relax.

Mike

I would recommend this program:
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

it's called Couch to 5K. It puts you on a running schedule to work your way up to being more fit.

Also start lifting weights. You'll put on muscle in no time!

Mrsjvb

they won't even Talk to you unless you are 17 and a a rising Senior in HS and within say 10 pounds of weight standards. yes you must lose the weight on your own.

1: cut out ALL soda and sugary drinks. Crystal light and water, no sugar added fruit juices. That's it

2: Limit fast food to like once a MONTH. choose healthier options like Subway

3: cut out the junk food and between meal snacking. If you must nibble.. popcorn and carrot sticks. Don't drown the popcorn in butter and salt. there are some good microwave 100 calorie packs out there.

4: double your fruit and veggie intake, cut your carb intake in half. Brown rice. don't drown the potato in butter. Use Fat Free sour cream. limit fried foods altogether.

5: LEAN proteins: skinless chicken breasts, Salmon, 98% FF ground beef.

6: get off your butt. start slow. See a doctor before you begin ANY exercise program.

you have 2 years to lose the weight. Plenty of time.

korny

dont worry they will take you. in my day they called it the chunky chicken program

firedragono117

you could hold a higher position like a commander or w/e where you dont have to go to fight yourself. well atleast if you're qualified.

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