Losing weight/body fat for the Navy

Darkwonder80
Darkwonder80 Posts: 1
in Fitness and Exercise
Hello everyone,

I'm not sure on how to keep this short, but I'll try my best. I downloaded MFP back in Aug '12 but didn't actually use it daily until March '13. I started at 260 with a goal of being 180. Fast forward a year and several months, I'm nearing that goal as of being 188. The thing is, is that I'm just now starting to hit the gym (lifting weights, and going for a jog on the treadmill.) I never truly thought of joining the service, but it finally hit me when I couldn't afford my next semester of college. Several friends of mine were a bit on the chub side, and still managed to get in the Navy. They all seem to be enjoying it, and I've been having thoughts of enlisting since last December. My brother is currently supporting me and offered to let me be my gym buddy once finals is over. I don't have a date set, but before the fall is when I would like to go to MEPS or basic. I called a recruiter today and explained my situation like the one I stated above. He was interested in meeting with me once finals are over next week. I'm worried about my body fat percentage. and what to work on. Although I have lost ALOT of weight since last year, I have a little bit of belly flab, and smaller man boobs. I'm not sure if that will disqualify me from enlisting.As of this morning, I weighed in at 185.7 with my height being 72 inches. I'm sorry for this seems like I'm rambling on, but I just need someone to talk to that isn't friends or family. Again, thank you for reading this wall of text, and helping me clear my mind. I'm looking forward to the whole process. Hell, if you could see how hefty my pals were, I'm sure I can do it!

Replies

  • nrheasley
    nrheasley Posts: 78 Member
    Does your gym offer personal training sessions? Sometimes you can get discounted-if not free-sessions. Or sometimes you can find a Groupon or some other offer.

    Good luck!
  • comrade_questions
    comrade_questions Posts: 103 Member
    I lost 21 pounds in 2012 when I was joining the Air Force. Add me if you want! Good luck!
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    next time you attempt to keep things short, try putting the actual question somewhere in the top 600 words.

    anyhoo, at 6 feet 188 pounds, i don't see where you're going to have any problem getting accepted into the military. start working out now so that you don't get splattered in basic training, but i would be worried about my conditioning level, not my flab. they're looking for sailors/soldiers, not models
  • bpentecost
    bpentecost Posts: 1
    I'm not sure what the weight/body fat percentages are for the US Navy but in the US Coast Guard a person of your height is allowed to weigh 202. You should be fine.
  • AJ_G
    AJ_G Posts: 4,158 Member
    So are you worry about the appearance of your body, or about your strength, because I don't see how appearance would matter at all. Once you hit basic, you won't care how you look, all you'll care about is strength and endurance
  • ME0172
    ME0172 Posts: 200
    Body fat percent limit for males is 22%, but at your height and weight you should be under the limit without getting measured. If not, the way the navy does it is measure your abdomen at the largest part and the neck. Then based on your height they have a magic math number that gives your %. I don't have the calculation at hand, but you can ask the recruiter to check if you give him your measurements. Or you can look up the OPNAVINST online for the Navy PFA instruction and it will be in there. Also there is an app for the Navy PRT. It will have the push up, sit up and run time requirements in it for you also to give you specific goals. You definitely want to go to basic training already in shape so you can focus on other things while you're there. I am in the navy and used to be a Recruit Division Commander and people that show up to boot camp not in shape have a much more difficult time than others.

    The navy is a great way to pay for college. Once you're in the navy will pay 100% of your college tuition up to a certain amount each year, then you'll also get the GI Bill. The navy is a great way to earn money for college and save money for getting out if all you want to do is 4 years. Good luck to you! I've been in for 22 years and have never regretted a single day of it.

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