Slimming down for bootcamp

My husband is currently in the navy and may be getting forced out due to high year tenure and I was thinking maybe I could lose the weight and join myself.

I spent 8 years in the Army Reserve, and was activated for about 2 of them. My best piece of advice: get good at running! Push-ups and sit-ups, too....but mostly running! Other than that, Basic Training is mostly a 9 week mind-game. You'll do fine!

I retired in 2008 after 25 years service in the forces (British). Use your goal to enlist as a positive focus in your mission to achieve your healthy weight range. Whilst doing so, as you get fitter, do some research and find out as much as possible about the training regime at boot camp - then, as you get fitter start to taylor your exercise routine in that direction, so when you apply, and maybe have a physical, you can fly through it. If you do this, and if you truly desire that goal, you will, you'll have no trouble getting the job - maybe you'll be the army PTI!

Regards, David

Hi, and thanks for wanting to join! I'll have 20 years of military service (Marine Corp and Army) in July. What branch are you planning on joining? Work on your endurance and cardio.. If you planing on joining the Army, practice doing push up and sit ups. Time yourself, and see where you stand and work on doing more reps every time you perform the exercises. Also time yourself in a 2 mile run and see how fast you can do it, after that practice on cutting your time down and getting faster. Basic training has change, therefore the standards for physical training (PT) has change from active duty ( you will do less during basic training, and more once you graduate and report to your new unit). Your local recruiter should be able to square you away. If you plan on joining the Marine Corp, work on doing pull -ups, crunches, and a 3mile run! Once again you local recruiter should be able to help you out. If you have any other questions please send me a note. One again thanks for wanting to serve and good luck!

Will

I have been in the Army for 28 years. I have struggled with this for years. I recommend you exercise daily, eat right, and write everything down. When I say exercise daily, I mean work hard. I work out at least an hour a day, sometimes longer. Walk to work or the store. Ride a bike instead of driving. Do push ups, sit ups, and pull ups. If you can't do them to standard, do push ups on your knees, do crunches, and use the lateral pull down bar, but get working on it. Carry a heavy back pack when you walk. Use the stairs instead of the elevator.

The remedial PT Platoon is hard but if you want to soldier, it is the best way to reach your goal. People always groan when we have to run the PT test, but I love the challenge. I work in the Pentagon and when I have to go some where in the building, I walk all the way around the building to get there. I used to walk around the Iraqi bases when I was deployed just to get more PT. Always do things the physically hard way to do it, and you will make your goals. The more you sweat in peace, the less you will bleed in war.

My boyfriends in a similar boat, he wants to become a cop and to do that he has to go through a physical test. A while ago he landed himself in hospital and never got back his fitness. Although he keeps complaining about how unfit he is he rarely does anything so i am going to say to you what i say to him. It's your career and if you want it that badly you have to do everything you can to ensure you make it a reality. If you want to be fit go out every day or every other day and work your butt off and if you find yourself losing motivation just imagine what it will be like as a police officer (in your case in the army) and you will find the strength you need. Good luck to you xx