Posted: 2/16/2016 2:04:27 PM EDT
|
Long story short: I'm not in the best shape and I need to be. How do I fix this?
I'm a 23 yr old guy, 250ish lbs. I'm getting my commission in the Army in May, so in a few short months I'm going to my Platoon (Cav Recon) and going to be expected to lead appx 30 cav scouts into combat. No pressure right? I still have to got to Armor BOLC and any follow on training they give me, so there's a bit of time but I want to fix myself asap. My problem is that I can't seem to lose weight. I'm not fat by most people's standards, but I am by the Army's. The body fat percentage test usually puts me at around 20% and I want that down closer to 12%. Also I suck at running, 8min/mile is a challenging pace for me. I'm no stranger to exercise, I lift and run regularly. The weight just seems to not want to come off and I struggle to see any real improvements. I count calories and try to maintain a 1000 calorie deficit per day but it almost seems like I'm still eating too much. Anyone have similar struggles? maybe I just need to keep at it and stay the course for a bit longer but it would be nice to hear what others have to say on the matter. |
|
As a former infantry 2LT, you need to run and ruck. If you cannot perform in those two events in a combat arms unit, you'll have problems.
I know a lot of units have changed their PT programs to be more "functional", but if you can't outperform or even keep up with your platoon, you'll be judged by them. There's lots of techniques that you can follow to improve in both (intervals, etc) but you have to put in MILES. For weight loss, start by weighing and cataloging everything you eat, everything. Most people way underestimate how much they actually eat and college diets are notoriously bad. |
|
I've posted this a few times, here it is again (some may not apply to you since I wrote this for someone else). I know how the weight standards work, and I hate to break it to you but if you're taping in at 20% you're likely a bit fatter than you think you are...I may be wrong.
First so you know I'm not making shit up: I've been a Marine for almost 16 years. Recruit training, infantry, OCS, The Basic School (6 months basic platoon commander school), Assault Climber, Army Airborne, 3 trips to Mountain Warfare Training Center. The best thing I EVER did to make hiking and training in general easier was starting to squat and deadlift. Without question, no shit. I tried running 20+ miles a week, and I was "fast" but my back still hurt with gear on it. Now my "cardio" isn't the best it's been but at almost 35 I absolutely destroy my Marines who are 10+ years younger than me at pretty much everything, especially when we put gear on...hell, that shit it LIGHT once your squat and DL start getting up there. Forget all the weights your doing now, most of that is next to useless. Running is good, and you should still do it, 2 miles a day isn't overkill and I'd say it's pretty good- but I'd mix it up. Do sprints some days. Squat and deadlift and bench once a week (say 3x5 or 5x5 or Wendlers 5/3/1) and do lots of bodyweight stuff or a little crossfit a few times a week after your weights (pushups, situps, pullups). You'll be gtg if you do that. I know what some of you are thinking "these guys ALWAYS recommend squats and deadlifts". Yes. Yes we do. Because everyone should be doing them, someone going into the military even more so. |
|
Quoted:
Thanks for all the advice everyone, especially to you guys that have been around this block before. I get it; I need to up the intensity and hit the track and really get serious dieting. Thanks for the help. Lol. Did you miss Roland's post? Hit the rack, not the track. |
|
Quoted:
Lol. Did you miss Roland's post? Hit the rack, not the track. Quoted:
Quoted:
Thanks for all the advice everyone, especially to you guys that have been around this block before. I get it; I need to up the intensity and hit the track and really get serious dieting. Thanks for the help. Lol. Did you miss Roland's post? Hit the rack, not the track. This. Squat. Dead. Press. Row. Bench. Use My Fittness Pal for tracking everything that is going in your mouth. |
|
Quoted:
Thanks for all the advice everyone, especially to you guys that have been around this block before. I get it; I need to up the intensity and hit the track and really get serious dieting. Thanks for the help. Diet shouldn't be thought of as a verb. Think of it as a noun. Your diet is the collection and quantity of foods you eat on a daily basis as a human. By "fix your diet", I meant evaluate and change what you eat on a daily basis, with an eye towards a long term change. The answer is not to make a temporary deviation to hit some goal number on the scale. |
|
Quoted:
Diet shouldn't be thought of as a verb. Think of it as a noun. Your diet is the collection and quantity of foods you eat on a daily basis as a human. By "fix your diet", I meant evaluate and change what you eat on a daily basis, with an eye towards a long term change. The answer is not to make a temporary deviation to hit some goal number on the scale. Quoted:
Quoted:
Thanks for all the advice everyone, especially to you guys that have been around this block before. I get it; I need to up the intensity and hit the track and really get serious dieting. Thanks for the help. Diet shouldn't be thought of as a verb. Think of it as a noun. Your diet is the collection and quantity of foods you eat on a daily basis as a human. By "fix your diet", I meant evaluate and change what you eat on a daily basis, with an eye towards a long term change. The answer is not to make a temporary deviation to hit some goal number on the scale. An excellent point. |