Joining Air Force Reserves. Need to drop 80lbs!!!
adambeal52
Posts: 2
So I have recently decided to join the Air Force Reserves. It's something I have always wanted to do, but do to success early on in my carreer, I have been putting it off. Now is the time. However due to working at a desk for the past 2 years, I have reach a wieght of 280lbs. I have to get down to 200lbs, and I would like to do it by March because I am going in with a friend, and that is the time they have selected. It's November right now, so that leaves me 4 months. Help!!!! I'm 27, I have a decent amount of $$$ and have access to all kinds of fitness equipment. So I have really no excuse for being this heavy other than my own procrastination. Thanks for all of your time and support!
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Replies
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Are you still growing taller? If you've not stopped growing taller, then I wouldn't try this. You can't cut calories down far enough to make it in time without harming your growth.
If you have stopped growing taller -- I'm not saying not to try and give it your all -- it couldn't hurt, but you need a Plan B. You should plan on 40 weeks to lose 80 lbs, and that's if you're decently tall and can withstand a deficit of over 1000 calories a day.
I have lost 65 lbs. in 113 days, and that's incredible. But the first two months were very fast and this latest month has been only 1.5 lbs. a week. I'm 5'11" and started at 298.
Over 30 years ago, I crashed dieted to get into the USAF, at 5'11" I had to be below 205 at the time. Just made it, but then I gained weight in Basic Training and ended up in trouble. Things are different now, weight program wise. But be well informed.0 -
Totally doable!
I've seen it with my own eyes. 0 -
StacyPhillipsTSFLcoach wrote: »Totally doable! I've seen it with my own eyes.
No, not doable. 80lbs in 4 months is totally unrealistic. That's a 2300 calorie DEFICIT per day for the next 4 months.
40lbs in 4 months would be pushing it, but possible. Anything more is extremely dangerous and will result in you losing a whole bunch of muscle along with fat.0 -
Possible yes. But the side effects aren't worth it. Delay your entry date and lose the weight in a healthy manner. Your entire experience will be much better!0
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That would be a loss of 5 pounds per week.... I'm going to go with that's far too much to expect. You might lose quickly at first, perhaps right at that 5 pounds per week for a few weeks even, but you will slow down the more you lose.
I mean yeah I'm sure you *could* do it, but it's not going to be done in a healthy fashion, and you're going to feel like crap going into basic.0 -
80lbs in 4 months? It doesn't sound like a good idea. If you are going to be in the Reserves, don't you want to be strong and in good health? You will most likely lose a good amount of muscle mass if you lose weight so quickly. Talk with a doctor and a proper personal trainer (be careful, though. Almost anyone can call themselves a personal trainer).0
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Like everybody else has said, it is not something you should do as it won't be healthy.
if you go on a 500 Calorie deficit with your food and also do around 300 cals worth of Exercise on top, (meaning a net deficit of around 800 cals) you could lose it within around a year. I wouldn't recommend anything more extreme else you may lose muscle.
During this time as well as cardio, do strength training to keep the muscle, and take in lots of protein for recovery.
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PrizePopple wrote: »That would be a loss of 5 pounds per week.... I'm going to go with that's far too much to expect. You might lose quickly at first, perhaps right at that 5 pounds per week for a few weeks even, but you will slow down the more you lose.
I mean yeah I'm sure you *could* do it, but it's not going to be done in a healthy fashion, and you're going to feel like crap going into basic.
Agree, I think you need to back your date up some, so you can not only go to basic at the lower weight but that you can also go in a much healthier condition. That's a lot of weight to get rid of in a short time and do it in a healthy way. Congrats on your decision to enlist.
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Wow! Thanks for all of the feedback! I have looked into a potential all vegatable diet. My dad did that when we first found out he was diabetic, and lost about 110lbs in 9 months, and nearly erradicated his diabetes. Thats an extreme case, but I agree with yall. I want to be strong for basic. I am going to reach out to my doctor and work on a healthy way to loose wieght fast.0
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Just a bit off topic, but have you met with a recruiter at all? To discuss with them your plans - and to see if you are even qualified if you did indeed lose weight?
Also weight isn't the end all be all in the military, body fat can be used, and is used in many instances for military members that do not meet the general height and weight guidelines.0 -
Air Force guy here... lots of desks in the Air Force. Desks don't make you fat - eating too much and not moving around enough makes you fat. Lots of people who do crash diets to get in, and lots who get fat again once they make the initial cut. The ones who do the crash diets eventually have their impulsive/undisciplined ways catch up with them, and I've had the pleasure of kicking some of them out.
As far as the body fat % to get in, well, that's a very small minority. Odds are if you can't make the abdominal circumference, you ain't passing the other three components of the test. Unless you're Brock Lesnar. And you don't look like him.
You can do this either healthy or fast, but not both. 80lbs in 4mos ain't gonna happen, so you might as well come clean to your buddy and recruiter now rather than annoy everyone 3 weeks out.
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Just a bit off topic, but have you met with a recruiter at all? To discuss with them your plans - and to see if you are even qualified if you did indeed lose weight?
Also weight isn't the end all be all in the military, body fat can be used, and is used in many instances for military members that do not meet the general height and weight guidelines.
This...I am active duty Navy and have seen this first hand. Talk with a physician after the recruiter and you know where you stand. Feel free to add me as a friend for encouragement if you like. I wish you the best as you consider this career move.0 -
brianhenderson74 wrote: »Just a bit off topic, but have you met with a recruiter at all? To discuss with them your plans - and to see if you are even qualified if you did indeed lose weight?
Also weight isn't the end all be all in the military, body fat can be used, and is used in many instances for military members that do not meet the general height and weight guidelines.
This...I am active duty Navy and have seen this first hand. Talk with a physician after the recruiter and you know where you stand. Feel free to add me as a friend for encouragement if you like. I wish you the best as you consider this career move.
My experience stems from active duty Marine Corps, Marine Corps Reserve, and ARNG.
That was very kind of Brian to offer his advice and experience - I would recommend taking him up on it.0 -
Ack I can't do math OR read. Nevermind what I said above, for some reason (I'm blonde and ADD) by the time I got back to my computer in my response (got called away for a minute) I was thinking you had 6-7 months to do this in, not 4. I made myself look REALLY dumb right there.
I have seen a man lose 200 lbs in a year personally, and on Extreme Weight Loss Chris Powell oversaw a man lose over 200 lbs in a year so I did the math in my head (also a dangerous proposition) and figured 80 lbs in 6 months ought to be DOABLE.
Hire Chris Powell! 0 -
I wasn't too sure about using body fat to get in - and I know the Air Force used to be a popular branch and could be quite picky about who they took for their quotas.
My experience is from quite a few years ago, and I don't know what the recruiting scene looks like now. But I do know that the Army has been actively engaged in getting rid of unsat members as their quotas are down.0 -
SonicDeathMonkey80 wrote: »Air Force guy here... lots of desks in the Air Force. Desks don't make you fat - eating too much and not moving around enough makes you fat. Lots of people who do crash diets to get in, and lots who get fat again once they make the initial cut. The ones who do the crash diets eventually have their impulsive/undisciplined ways catch up with them, and I've had the pleasure of kicking some of them out.
As far as the body fat % to get in, well, that's a very small minority. Odds are if you can't make the abdominal circumference, you ain't passing the other three components of the test. Unless you're Brock Lesnar. And you don't look like him.
You can do this either healthy or fast, but not both. 80lbs in 4mos ain't gonna happen, so you might as well come clean to your buddy and recruiter now rather than annoy everyone 3 weeks out.
Will keep all comments about desks and Air Force to myself and play very nicely with the other branches. But I got a good chuckle.0 -
SonicDeathMonkey80 wrote: »You can do this either healthy or fast, but not both. 80lbs in 4mos ain't gonna happen, so you might as well come clean to your buddy and recruiter now rather than annoy everyone 3 weeks out.
Quoted for truth. Set a more realistic time frame, and think of this not as dieting to achieve a goal but making a lifestyle change. I recommend reading Dr. Yoni Freedhoff's recently published book The Diet Fix.0 -
Not a healthy idea, to lose that quickly. Make decisions for life for you, not to "keep up " with friends.0
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SonicDeathMonkey80 wrote: »Air Force guy here... lots of desks in the Air Force. Desks don't make you fat - eating too much and not moving around enough makes you fat. Lots of people who do crash diets to get in, and lots who get fat again once they make the initial cut. The ones who do the crash diets eventually have their impulsive/undisciplined ways catch up with them, and I've had the pleasure of kicking some of them out.
As far as the body fat % to get in, well, that's a very small minority. Odds are if you can't make the abdominal circumference, you ain't passing the other three components of the test. Unless you're Brock Lesnar. And you don't look like him.
You can do this either healthy or fast, but not both. 80lbs in 4mos ain't gonna happen, so you might as well come clean to your buddy and recruiter now rather than annoy everyone 3 weeks out.
Will keep all comments about desks and Air Force to myself and play very nicely with the other branches. But I got a good chuckle.
It's true! My rear-end is parked in a headquarters building desk all day.0 -
adambeal52 wrote: »I have reach a wieght of 280lbs. I have to get down to 200lbs, and I would like to do it by March...
You're ****ed.
Sorry.
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SonicDeathMonkey80 wrote: »Air Force guy here... lots of desks in the Air Force. Desks don't make you fat - eating too much and not moving around enough makes you fat. Lots of people who do crash diets to get in, and lots who get fat again once they make the initial cut. The ones who do the crash diets eventually have their impulsive/undisciplined ways catch up with them, and I've had the pleasure of kicking some of them out.
As far as the body fat % to get in, well, that's a very small minority. Odds are if you can't make the abdominal circumference, you ain't passing the other three components of the test. Unless you're Brock Lesnar. And you don't look like him.
You can do this either healthy or fast, but not both. 80lbs in 4mos ain't gonna happen, so you might as well come clean to your buddy and recruiter now rather than annoy everyone 3 weeks out.
Sometimes the truth is not easy to hear but his answer looks perfect on all counts.0 -
Is it possible? Probably. Is it healthy? Probably not. Is it realistic? Maybe.
You obviously can't do it by cutting calories alone. You would have to go without eating anything for four months. I have heard of a guy who went without eating for one year, but that was with doctors monitoring him closely. On the other hand, if you are eating 2,500 calories a day and doing enough exercise to burn and additional 2,400 (on average) calories per day, you would still be getting many of the nutrients your body needs while reaching the required calorie deficit. I expect your doctor will still tell you it is a bad idea. And you're also looking at about three hours of vigorous cardio everyday, which isn't an easy thing to do.0 -
TimothyFish wrote: »On the other hand, if you are eating 2,500 calories a day and doing enough exercise to burn and additional 2,400 (on average) calories per day...
What you're basically describing is completing Ranger School...twice The odds of a 280 pound and out of shape individual being able to do that are vanishingly close to zero.
It would be easier to just not eat for four months.0 -
TimothyFish wrote: »On the other hand, if you are eating 2,500 calories a day and doing enough exercise to burn and additional 2,400 (on average) calories per day...
What you're basically describing is completing Ranger School...twice The odds of a 280 pound and out of shape individual being able to do that are vanishingly close to zero.
It would be easier to just not eat for four months.
On the other hand, if he were to put in that kind of effort, by the time he makes it to basic training he'll be in shape and will have an easier time completing it. If he just stops eating, he'll be so out of shape they'll kick him out.0 -
TimothyFish wrote: »TimothyFish wrote: »On the other hand, if you are eating 2,500 calories a day and doing enough exercise to burn and additional 2,400 (on average) calories per day...
What you're basically describing is completing Ranger School...twice The odds of a 280 pound and out of shape individual being able to do that are vanishingly close to zero.
It would be easier to just not eat for four months.
On the other hand, if he were to put in that kind of effort, by the time he makes it to basic training he'll be in shape and will have an easier time completing it.
People who are already very fit have trouble getting through that kind of regimen.
It's simply not a realistic option for the OP.
New plan is needed.
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My advice, do not drop down to 1000 cals right away, start off at a reasonable deficit of 300 calories under maintenance, this wont hault your progress as it will be continuous, as each week you drop 50-100 calories more to lose.... in the new year is when to be aggressive with numbers, you also will not burn out or give up if you choose this perspective... people that go on extreme deficits really stall their metabolism and any small amount of calories causes them to gain weight back almost immediately...
Incorporate lots of cardio and as as a defecit, you will lose a lot...
GL with the forces, I plan to join the navy!0 -
I don't think they will pass you on body fat percentage, if you reach the requirements.
Years ago I went to MEPS, but they wouldn't even tape me. They told me I couldn't come back until I lost 10 lbs and before two months-- time span for a healthy weight loss of 10 lbs. I was told that I would be passed then.
Now, losing 10 lbs would have still had me beyond the maximum weight for my height, but this is what they told me. I weighed 190 lbs when I went, they wouldn't pass me until I weighed 180 lbs. I'm a 5'6 female with a large frame.
Now, I'm trying again and regret not just losing the 10 lbs. I let something so small deter me from my goals.. never again. Anywho....
If you really want to join the Reserves in 4 months, then you're going to have to bust *kitten* to reach your goal. You would probably have to cut calories to about a 1000/1200 [veggies, lean meat, water, multivitamin] or so and do about 4 hours of cardio most days. This isn't healthy, but it will help you reach your goal if that's really what you want.
Doing this method I lost about 76 lbs in 3 months many years ago.
Now, I'm trying to lose those last 100 lbs so that I can start the process [by April]. Hopefully, nothing will stand in my way after reaching my goal.
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If this is something you really want, then I'm rooting for you.
Like someone else said-- you can either do it the healthy way or the fast way.
This seems like a spur of the moment thing for you, so you may change your mind when you realize the amount of effort required to meet that four month goal.0 -
You do realize that you probably will not be in the same training company as your friend when you enlist right? There's a good possibility you two may not even get the same mos (military job). Therefore, even though it may seem like a good idea to enlist with somebody, your enlistment is your own. This is a contract between you and the United States government. I'm not trying to dissuade you from enlisting, I am an Army Reservist. I however, had a more difficult time in basic training than my peers, because I went in at 27, and because I had a desk job and neglected my health for a couple of years. I enlisted 4 months after hitting my goal weight. Now I wish I had waited just a little longer, and trained just a little harder before shipping off. Then maybe I could have made it through my training with out injury. Regardless, it takes a lot of discipline to overcome bad eating habits, to be able to live a military lifestyle, and take personal accountability. I am still recovering from a bulging disc, which I may have been able to prevent if I had taken more time to enlist.0
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Hey bud, I'm aiming to join the army reserves and have 50lbs to lose. Buddy up?
I don't think its feasible to do it that quick. I'm aiming for 50lbs in 12 months.
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The thing as well is that if you do this ultra quickly you are setting yourself up to regain the weight - and in the military if you are struggling with your weight that can result in disciplinary action, making it harder to progress and/or getting kicked out. Personally, I don't think military is a great option for people who struggle with weight, but if it is very important to you give yourself an additional year to really do this right and make permanent changes.0
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