Want to join military... must lose A LOT of weight
hilarydurst
Posts: 91 Member
I am desperate for help and opinions here. I've decided that I really want to join the military before I get to old to. However, I must weight 130 lbs and i'm right now at 285.. is it even possible to lose enough to get me near the 130 mark? I need everyone's opinions and such on telling me how to do this without giving up. (Just so you know... I was 277 when I first started this and somehow I gained up to 285)
Thanks in advance for all your help!
Thanks in advance for all your help!
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Replies
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Be patient...take everything a day at a time if you need to.0
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I would guess it depends on when you are planning on joining - it is possible to lose the weight but it takes time so if you plan on joining in like a year then yes you could but not if you want to join in a few months. Along with eating healthier foods you need exercise - depending on what branch you are joining find out what there physical requirement test is and as you start to lose work towards being able to complete (plus some) the requirements to get in - usually included so many push-ups, sit-ups, a run etc...
I would suggest Cardio and Weight training to both gain endurance and improve your strength. With weight training you may at some points see slower weight lose as far as numbers but 1 pound of muscle takes up less space on the body then 1 pound of fat so while you watch the scale also take measurements. Good Luck, you can add me if you want.0 -
How tall are you? 130 sounds low...0
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I'm 5'3".... the Army recruiter told me 130 lbs0
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First, I applaud you for your desire to serve. It's not an easy life.
Per a chart I found, it looks like 141 to me: http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/blarintweightfemale.htm
Plus, even if you're over, you can always pass by being under on %BF. It's totally doable if you're committed, but it will likely take a good solid 1.5 to 2 years for you to lose all that and be fit enough to make a go at it.
That said, I honestly question whether or not this is the "right" thing for a young mom. You do understand you could be deployed and end up going where your family CANNOT go? Are you prepared to be away from them for months or more? I don't know if you're a single mom, but if so, who would watch your kids if you were deployed? Would you really want to leave them without a mother if something bad happened?
Look, I'm not necessarily trying to discourage you, but some people don't understand what they are getting into. I'm a disabled vet and know all too well what can happen. While I would not change my decision to join the military, it has made MANY things more difficult for me because of what happened. Don't do it just because it sounds cool, or fun, or even to learn a trade...0 -
The discipline you'll need for the military will help you lose weight. Honestly if you can't dig your feet in and lose this weight, you would never make it in the military anyways as anything more than a nuisance.
You need to lose 150lbs. You could lose 10lbs a month with a little bit of effort like moderate exercise and rennovating your diet. You could lose that weight in 2 years with constant dedication. What you have to want to do is to really change yourself, it will never work if your heart isn't fully into it, even on the days you fail.
What matters is trying again every day. Every day is a new opportunity.0 -
I am desperate for help and opinions here. I've decided that I really want to join the military before I get to old to. However, I must weight 130 lbs and i'm right now at 285.. is it even possible to lose enough to get me near the 130 mark? I need everyone's opinions and such on telling me how to do this without giving up. (Just so you know... I was 277 when I first started this and somehow I gained up to 285)
Thanks in advance for all your help!
No one here can tell you how to do it without giving up. The motivation needs to come from within. I think you should start by opening your diary. Set your settings to 2 lb/wk log ALL your food, try to hit your macros and you will lose weight.0 -
Do you belong to a gym? I think it might be a good investment to join one and also make use of a personal trainer every couple of weeks to set you up with a routine and keep you on track. Because to join the military you not only need to lose the weight but also need to be in good physical condition. I wish you luck and even if you end up not joining it will still be a great health benefit to you to drop the weight.0
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macros?I am desperate for help and opinions here. I've decided that I really want to join the military before I get to old to. However, I must weight 130 lbs and i'm right now at 285.. is it even possible to lose enough to get me near the 130 mark? I need everyone's opinions and such on telling me how to do this without giving up. (Just so you know... I was 277 when I first started this and somehow I gained up to 285)
Thanks in advance for all your help!
No one here can tell you how to do it without giving up. The motivation needs to come from within. I think you should start by opening your diary. Set your settings to 2 lb/wk log ALL your food, try to hit your macros and you will lose weight.0 -
I do understand about the deployments and all... my fiance and I have had long talks about this decision. We think I'm doing the right thing and he's ok with it. He's also trying to help me lose the weight. I'm only 29.. cut off for Army and Air Force is 35 so I'm told. Thanks for your input.. appreciate it very much!First, I applaud you for your desire to serve. It's not an easy life.
Per a chart I found, it looks like 141 to me: http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/blarintweightfemale.htm
Plus, even if you're over, you can always pass by being under on %BF. It's totally doable if you're committed, but it will likely take a good solid 1.5 to 2 years for you to lose all that and be fit enough to make a go at it.
That said, I honestly question whether or not this is the "right" thing for a young mom. You do understand you could be deployed and end up going where your family CANNOT go? Are you prepared to be away from them for months or more? I don't know if you're a single mom, but if so, who would watch your kids if you were deployed? Would you really want to leave them without a mother if something bad happened?
Look, I'm not necessarily trying to discourage you, but some people don't understand what they are getting into. I'm a disabled vet and know all too well what can happen. While I would not change my decision to join the military, it has made MANY things more difficult for me because of what happened. Don't do it just because it sounds cool, or fun, or even to learn a trade...0 -
macros?I am desperate for help and opinions here. I've decided that I really want to join the military before I get to old to. However, I must weight 130 lbs and i'm right now at 285.. is it even possible to lose enough to get me near the 130 mark? I need everyone's opinions and such on telling me how to do this without giving up. (Just so you know... I was 277 when I first started this and somehow I gained up to 285)
Thanks in advance for all your help!
No one here can tell you how to do it without giving up. The motivation needs to come from within. I think you should start by opening your diary. Set your settings to 2 lb/wk log ALL your food, try to hit your macros and you will lose weight.
Macros is short for macronutrients (= calories, fats, proteins, carbs, fibre), as opposed to micronutrients (= viamins, minerals - the stuff you get in small amounts from food). You can choose what you track and which macros & micros you see in your food diary.
"hit your macros" means get the figures for calories, protein, carbs & fat to the figures suggested by MFP (or you can customise them if you're following a different plan). And don't worry if your protein and fibre are over & in red - that's good!0 -
Many people can and do lose that amount of weight or more. It takes commitment and time. However, why on earth would you want to join the military?0
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My weight peaked at over 330. I joined the military at around 180. It's certainly possible, but it does take a while. I lost the weight relatively quickly, but it took much longer to really get into good shape. Of course, the required level of fitness does vary a lot depending on which branch you want to join.0
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Congratulations on loosing all that weight! I wish I could lose it fast but ik it's going to take some time. You can add me as a friend on here if we can motivate each other.0
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macros?I am desperate for help and opinions here. I've decided that I really want to join the military before I get to old to. However, I must weight 130 lbs and i'm right now at 285.. is it even possible to lose enough to get me near the 130 mark? I need everyone's opinions and such on telling me how to do this without giving up. (Just so you know... I was 277 when I first started this and somehow I gained up to 285)
Thanks in advance for all your help!
No one here can tell you how to do it without giving up. The motivation needs to come from within. I think you should start by opening your diary. Set your settings to 2 lb/wk log ALL your food, try to hit your macros and you will lose weight.
Macros is short for macronutrients (= calories, fats, proteins, carbs, fibre), as opposed to micronutrients (= viamins, minerals - the stuff you get in small amounts from food). You can choose what you track and which macros & micros you see in your food diary.
"hit your macros" means get the figures for calories, protein, carbs & fat to the figures suggested by MFP (or you can customise them if you're following a different plan). And don't worry if your protein and fibre are over & in red - that's good!
I believe that's how I have it now.. but I'll double check. Ik I have carbs, protein and fat and I'm NEVER in the red at all. I don't even eat all my recommended calories in a day either. Do you count calories? What are your recommended calories that MFP says? Mine are 1700/day... I think that's to many.. am I right or wrong?0 -
I applaud your desire to join!!! I am an Army brat. My Dad retired after 24 years. We had lots of long separations, including a year he spent in Korea. It was really hard sometimes but I wouldn't change it for the world! I am very proud of my Dad!! I am also married to a Vet. He was in Iraq and Afghanistan. Be aware it is Hell on earth over there but he came home safe and sound. You can do this! If you really have what it takes to be in the military you can lose this weight!! You go girl!!! I'll be praying for you and your family! I am also very proud of my husband!!!! :-)0
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I applaud your desire to join!!! I am an Army brat. My Dad retired after 24 years. We had lots of long separations, including a year he spent in Korea. It was really hard sometimes but I wouldn't change it for the world! I am very proud of my Dad!! I am also married to a Vet. He was in Iraq and Afghanistan. Be aware it is Hell on earth over there but he came home safe and sound. You can do this! If you really have what it takes to be in the military you can lose this weight!! You go girl!!! I'll be praying for you and your family!
Thank you so much to your husband and your father! Also thanks for your applaud. I'm aware of all the consequences and deployments and everything... I've talked to my fiance about this and some of his family along with mine have been in the military. I'm actually looking forward to the challenge that I have before me.0 -
:-) You can do this! Your kids will be proud of you and it is great that you have the support of your man and family! God bless!I applaud your desire to join!!! I am an Army brat. My Dad retired after 24 years. We had lots of long separations, including a year he spent in Korea. It was really hard sometimes but I wouldn't change it for the world! I am very proud of my Dad!! I am also married to a Vet. He was in Iraq and Afghanistan. Be aware it is Hell on earth over there but he came home safe and sound. You can do this! If you really have what it takes to be in the military you can lose this weight!! You go girl!!! I'll be praying for you and your family!
Thank you so much to your husband and your father! Also thanks for your applaud. I'm aware of all the consequences and deployments and everything... I've talked to my fiance about this and some of his family along with mine have been in the military. I'm actually looking forward to the challenge that I have before me.0 -
Coming from a woman in the military and standing at 5'3" being navy my max weight is 152 before I have to get taped for BF. what branch are you trying to join and you really need to consider what is going on with the budget before you finally decide about going in. Message me if you want more information.0
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No reason you can't do it but you're probably looking at a year to get it off safely and it's going to take some major dedication to do it.0
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One of my friends joined the army a mere one week before her 41st birthday.0
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My sister was an Army Recruiter for awhile. My advice woul be to talk to one first. You are very close to aging out as you are already aware.
Both my boys are in NJROTC and are in the 11th grade. They have very intense PT almost everyday.
I would talk to a recruiter and take the ASVAB first. Then decide if you want to possibly do private contracting instead. There is no age limit and if you already have a background that is suitable for development of somewhere like...Iraq or Afgan. then you may find it is much much more lucrative at 29.0 -
You join because you love this country. You join to be part of something bigger than yourself. You join because you care and you want clueless people such as you to be able to go about their daily life without ever thinking of what it takes to keep you free................ However, why on earth would you want to join the military?0 -
I am sure you can do it. My son lost 160 pounds in just over 1 year. Not for the military though, now he's a fire fighter. When I was in the Army we had a couple big guys and they put them on a program to lose the weight. My nephew just went in the Navy in December. He had to losses 50 pounds. He started last year, 9 months later he's in the Navy. Dedication. If you want it go after it with a passion . You can achieve your goal.0
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You join because you love this country. You join to be part of something bigger than yourself. You join because you care and you want clueless people such as you to be able to go about their daily life without ever thinking of what it takes to keep you free................ However, why on earth would you want to join the military?
Agreed. Over the last 39 years I've collected a few regrets. But one thing I'll never regret is the 8 years I spent in the USAF.
I lost 20 lbs to join - obviously not the same magnitude as you - I ate less and ran a few miles every night.0 -
Whether you decide to go in the military or not, losing any amount of weight will be great for disease prevention. If you've been tracking your food for a while with MFP and you've gained, something has to change. I'd start with avoiding counting the calories burned from exercise as an extra amount you can consume for the day. Think of this as burning stored fat. Stick with the amount allowed for losing 1-2# per week. I suspect the range will be between 1200-1600 per day (not below 1200). Then focus on food choices. Stick with less processed foods - sweets, no sweet drinks,.... Sure, you can count them in the calories but they're not that healthy. Focus more on lean protein and produce. Exercise most days with a bit more focus on cardio. And remember, don't give up!0
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Don't let anyone tell you that you shouldn't join the military because you're a mother, or young. Also, I'm sure you can do it, it may take a year or so but it sounds like you have that much time. My husband went to basic training with someone who lost 100lbs to join. I'm also thinking of joining the military and I have 95 lbs to lose. Friend me if you like and I'll keep you "pumped up" whatever you choose.0
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I would start by asking the recruiter if there are any trainers in your town they recommend to help you reach your goals in a healthy manner. If not, find a trainer that specializes in weight loss and can give you nutrition help. I know most recruiters hold PT sessions for people planning on joining the military but I would wait until you build up a reasonable level of fitness.
You should also research the body fat/weight standards for soldiers IN the Army. Sometimes these are different than the standards to join because it is assumed you will lose weight and become more fit in bootcamp. If you don't you will be cycled into a special platoon and be at bootcamp even longer. In the Marines it was called PCP and I don't think it was any fun.
Your number one focus should be losing weight and becoming fit in a healthy way that is sustainable. When I was in the military I saw horrible advice forced on military members and people losing weight in unhealthy ways just to make weight.0
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