My Journey for the United States Marines.

Just a little back round story, for those who are wondering "why?".

Well, it all started as a child, learning about the USMC, what they stand for, what they do, and most importantly, doing something bigger than ones self. Out of all of my brothers, I'm the only one who actually struggles with being a big kid. I have always been a bigger kid, though, not a weak kid. Just a naturally bigger kid. Anyway, I don't ever remember being brain washed or told that if i joined the military, the Marines was my only choice. It just feels like the only good choice...

Being 23 years old trying to get into the marines, is not something that you see often. In fact, I have done weekly poolee functions every weekend, and i haven't seen a single person there *who isn't already a marine* that is old enough to legally consume alcohol. roughly 6 months ago my wife finally understood what it means to me that i do this. It took years of convincing, even going for reserve branches! So i went to a recruiter, and he told me that i have to lose weight, the marines will not take me *which then i was 245 LBS, at 70' * Among other things, i had several piercings and such. So that night, i decided to change my lifestyle. I took out all of my piercings, started shaving every other day, so on and so forth.

Fast forward 6 months, and i am currently bouncing from 215-218. The biggest reason why i joined MFP is because at this point i can take all of the help i can get. I can't afford a gym membership, so i go to my local apartment complex gym, which works for me. The problem is that, i can't seem to get passed 210LBS. I have gone to an extreme to even going on the "Master Cleanse" which basically is fasting from anywhere from 7-15 days. I have have my days, or even week(s) of lazyness and becoming incredibly discouraged, eating trash food. But i always bounce back twice as hard knowing that, giving up is not in my blood, and nothing will stop me from becoming a Marine.

My Diet/Regiment's are as follows, and of course, they vary, i'm just giving the most solid parts here.

Breakfast varies day to day with these items... These are all pre workout.
Hard Boiled Egg(s)
Fresh Fruit Smoothie
1/2 Cup Oats w/ handfull of raspberry's.

45 minute Cardio workout - Treadmill/HIIT/Elliptical

weight lifting (low weight-high reps)
Pushups - Hindu/incline/decline
Varied Dumbbell Squats - 35LBS 2-3 sets 12-15 reps
Varied ab workouts/crunches
Lunges - 30/35LB weights. 2-3 sets of 15reps
Ammo Can lifts(40LBS) 2-3 sets of 30-25-20
Dumbbell Press- 2-3sets 45-50LBS at 12-15 reps.
40 count military jumping jacks
8-10 count body builders.
45Second-1Minute Planks

Post workout- snack/lunch
8-10oz Protein shake
Whole wheat bread (2slices) with 1 can of tuna mixed with honey mustard
1/2 cup of cashews/almonds.

Dinner will always contain some form of all of these items.
Chicken
turkey
Salmon
brown rice/brown pasta
Romaine salad w/spritzer
bokchoy
zuchinni
celery
carrots
Broccoli
onion
bean sprouts

My PM workout consists of half of the cardio workout, and about half of all the weight lifting. My problem is, i don't feel like i'm getting any closer. i need help! Kind-of a long post, and it may seem a bit unorganized or may not make sense. please feel free to ask questions.

So i suppose the most important part here is im wondering if fellow MFP's have diet advice, other exercises, best ways to help fat loss.

-Josh