Weight issues !!!!

[goldenboyoscar2003]

Is anyone here that is going to the Sep 18th academy having trouble with weight? I am 212 lbs and i am 5 ft 8 in and i am working my butt off but cant seem to shed any pounds. I am currently in the military so i have no problems with any workouts.

[TheForceCHP]

I am trying to loose some weight, but it really isn't working out that well. I used to weight in at 210, I am 6', and now I weigh in at about 206-208 with the occasional drop to 202-204. I figure when I get to the academy I will drop bellow 200, but looks like my body likes its current weight

[makakona]

oh, force, you're gonna drop WELL below that while you're there!

[TheForceCHP]

oh, force, you're gonna drop WELL below that while you're there!

Yah!!!:lol: I am curious on how I will look when I get out. I figure getting my butt kicked every day and eating good structured meals will really change me

[DESERT RAT]

"Good structured meals" = JP's Gravy! yummy!

[I am going to make it!]

Does anyone know what the body fat % is for the training table? And if so what is the testing method?

[TheForceCHP]

I got the impression that the testing method is one of those hand held units, BUT I really don't know for sure and would be interested in how they do it.

[Mac]

Does anyone know what the body fat % is for the training table? And if so what is the testing method?
You'll find out when you get there. :lol:

Force - I'll 100% money-back guarantee that you'll lose weight while you're at the Academy! You'll most likely find it harder to keep weight ON than to lose it. You'll also most likely come out of there in the best physical shape you've ever been in your life.

[HD1]

DESER RAT----no more JP , he left right after I-05


SEPT....You will indeed loose the weight! PT, training table, memo, diet soda (if any), repeat! It can be done, you'll live for the weekends, but then again so does everybody :cool: :rolleyes:

[DESERT RAT]

Dang it, just plain ole gravy then!

[23109]

JP left halfway through CTC III-05.

[Dodger Fan]

I entered CTC II-04 at 6-2, 229 lbs. I have had issues with my weight ever since I moved out of my parents house in 1998. I had been 244 lbs. but was able to lose 15 before the academy. I graduated at 208 lbs. and in the best shape I had been in for years. I then began my life as an officer with a 69 mile commute to work and eating out at work and sometimes during my drive. I did not have people deciding what I was going to eat and forcing me to work out everyday. By the beginning of 2006 I was back at 244 lbs. I realized I had a problem and I began to run a lot. From March 8 to present I have logged nearly 300 miles. I would try to eat healthy for short periods of time and would give up. I was not losing weight and I began to think things like "my body must like being 244 lbs." and other nonsense. One day in 5/06 after struggling mightly to button my tan wool pants I decided I needed to do something about what I eat. I sucked it up and joined Weight Watchers. At first I was embarassed but after losing 35 lbs. in 9 weeks I am down to 209 lbs. and counting. If you are finding you can't drop anymore pounds on your own I highly reccomend it. I won't give any details about the academy except that if you can avoid the added stresses of being overweight before you go in you most definitely should. I wish I would have sucked it up and tried WW before the academy. FYI - my weight loss of nearly 4 lbs. per week is not typical but men tend to lose the weight way faster than women (especially if they are active).

[makakona]

my husband also joined weight watchers. he was unhappy with his weight, but mostly joined because i did and he's a good husband, haha. he was, at his heaviest, 190 and 6'2", but his family is all pretty lanky, so he felt like the weight was more obvious. we both thrived on the ww plan because it's the way EVERYone should lose weight, by making lifestyle changes versus eating some special combinations of foods or starving yourself. he reached his goal weight quite quickly and maintained it until he arrived at the academy... where he was put on "the fat boy program." he then lost even more weight and was in close to the best shape of his life (he's a former athlete, so he's been in incredible shape before).

he's gained some of the weight back and his activity level has plummeted, but he is just naturally slender and athletic anyway, so he's easily able to maintain weight and go run a half marathon at a moment's notice. his biggest problem is his diet while on break-in. i normally pack his lunches, but that's not happening while on break-in. he makes the best food choices he can while eating out with his fto's, but there's only so much you can do when you're hitting fast food every day, you know? our diets are almost entirely organic and unprocessed, sans the crap he eats while out on the road. rambling... just wanted to give my ww endorsement as well. my husband was actually surprised at how many men used ww and how easy a "diet" it was.

my only beefs about the academy are about the way they handle weight/bf and nutrition... but i know they do the best they can with what they have and it can't be as perfect as i'd prefer it.

[PeckerHead]

Why in the world would you say you have a beef with the Academy and how they handle weight loss or body fat? What academy class were you in? The cold hard facts are there are way to many people going into the academy in terrible shape and seriously overweight. They are told and told and told that they need to prepare physically for the academy and still they don't prepare themselves. They are given paperwork in their background that shows the MINIMUM standards the PT staff wants to see upon their arrival, and still the majority of the cadets are marshmellows. So, what is the academy supposed to do differently to whip these cadets into shape in just 26 weeks? From what I've seen they do pretty good with what they have to work with. The problem is, the cadets don't take their PT seriously BEFORE they get to the academy. They have the "I'll let them kick my butt and whip me into shape when I get there mentality." That is one of the reasons the failure rate is so high.

[Tiredmotor]

Why in the world would you say you have a beef with the Academy and how they handle weight loss or body fat? What academy class were you in?

Mmm-Mmmm.....living vicariously I would say......

[makakona]

thanks for the concern, tm, but my life is quite fulfilling regardless of what my husband's job is. i never touted myself as a "military wife" (well, except to his bi, when it came in handy while talking about my husband being gone six months) and i'll sure as hell never introduce myself as a chippy wife. sure, that's my husband's job, but it's not who i am. with him coming from the military, i got my fill of, "hi, i'm sally. WE are in the navy," when they were indeed anything BUT a dual military family. MAJOR pet peeve of mine.

and let's back up... i didn't say squat about the pt, only about bf and nutrition. they use less than stellar methods to measure bf and my husband was a perfect example of this, having been hydrostatically weighed just before receiving his academy numbers. of course he kept his mouth shut and went along with the program while i complained to myself for him, haha. i also think they should be reassessed earlier than they are. my husband lost far more weight than was healthy and another guy was hiding weight gainer drinks because he lost SO much weight. i heard a rumor, not sure how true it is, that someone else was diagnosed with low blood sugars and malnourishment, presumably due to his diet while there.

nutrition is the other beef. i'm a fan of the "breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, dinner like a pauper" theory. when you're working people that hard, two bananas and a yogurt aren't going to cut it for breakfast.

obviously this is only based on my husband's experience while he was there, but as someone who's very mindful of nutrition and the likes, it was disconcerting. the bf part was just annoying. for most people, of course it's a stark and superior contrast as compared to pre-academy life. for some, however, it's a step down. again, i'm only speaking of nourishment, not pt. i think the pt program there is awesome and it's amazing to watch how whipped into shape people get. i guess for those who are overweight and incapable of monitoring their own food intake, even while there, the food is a good deal. but the error rate is so high on the bf that i think many people probably get the raw end, as did my husband... who gladly appreciated the opportunity he had to even be there. it's just his wife who complained. ;)

[23109]

i heard a rumor, not sure how true it is, that someone else was diagnosed with low blood sugars and malnourishment, presumably due to his diet while there.


We had a classmate that had something similiar to this happen. She was taken off the table (and probably never should have been on there) weeks prior to the second measurement.

[pupdog]

I've been told by oficers during my selveral ride alongs the exact same thing...training table= greasy chicken & gravy, and that by mid-academy, it's muscle you're losing because of the diet rather than fat. I'm sure I'll be on the table. I was doing VERY well awhile back, then the fat crept up there from recepie experiments for my sister's wedding (worthy cause). I've had a very hard time getting it off these last few months. My coach tells me it's because I did that marathon a few years ago; how he's seen SO MANY marathon runners who can never shed the fat later:confused:: (but I think it's his own self esteem problem because he couldn't finish one).
I'm REALLY worried that I'm doomed for the most unhealthy weight loss method. I'm hoping to go 9/18 and am currently on the pushups 'till you puke, then do more (STILL no improvement, but at least I'm trying!) training program. Problem is, my body is getting conditioned to that, and the slightest bit of workout makes my stomach start churning. What a mess.

[webfoots]

I'm hoping to go 9/18 and am currently on the pushups 'till you puke, then do more (STILL no improvement, but at least I'm trying!) training program. Problem is, my body is getting conditioned to that, and the slightest bit of workout makes my stomach start churning. What a mess.

You might be overtraining a bit. Make sure you're taking rest days or light days once or twice a week. I know it seems like a bad idea with the Sept academy date coming up quickly but not giving your body time to heal between hard work outs isn't allowing your muscles to repair themselves and you won't get stronger.

If push-ups is your problem area, try to mix in dips and bench press into your workouts. You'll be working the same muscles but in different movements/resistance.

[godinez90]

I'm hoping to go 9/18 and am currently on the pushups 'till you puke, then do more (STILL no improvement, but at least I'm trying!) training program. Problem is, my body is getting conditioned to that, and the slightest bit of workout makes my stomach start churning. What a mess.

You might be overtraining a bit. Make sure you're taking rest days or light days once or twice a week. I know it seems like a bad idea with the Sept academy date coming up quickly but not giving your body time to heal between hard work outs isn't allowing your muscles to repair themselves and you won't get stronger.

If push-ups is your problem area, try to mix in dips and bench press into your workouts. You'll be working the same muscles but in different movements/resistance.

So do you think that it is a good idea to do pushups on mon,wed,fri and situps on tue,thu,sat and run everyday or should i lay off the running everyday also? I try to run everyday but lately i've been feeling a little tired earlier throughout my run.

[FastbackJack]

I've heard it's good to, for example, run Mon-Wed-Fri, push-ups and sit-ups Tues-Thurs-Sat...taking Sunday off completely...

[godinez90]

I've heard it's good to, for example, run Mon-Wed-Fri, push-ups and sit-ups Tues-Thurs-Sat...taking Sunday off completely...

So you are saying to do push-ups Mon,Wed,Fri and sit-ups Tues,Thu,Sat and run everyday except Sunday?

[FastbackJack]

No - Sorry if it wasn't clear the first time... run only on Mon-Wed-Fri, do push-ups and sit-ups only on Tues-Thurs-Sat, and take Sunday off completely. Your body must have time to recoop, ya know? ;)

This is just my opinion, but it makes sense...:smile:

[webfoots]

There's no reason not to do push-ups and sit-ups on the same day. You should probably get used to doing them right after each other since this is the type of continuous activity you'll be doing during Cal. at the academy. Do your XX# of push-ups and then do your XX# of sit-ups, then back to more push-ups and repeat. Get your body used to working for 25-30 minutes.

Same sorta thing with the running. One day do a steady long run, the next day you run mix running hard for 2-3 minutes then jog for 2-3 minutes, do this for 20-30 minutes. Basically don't let your body fall into a rut of doing the same activity everyday.

edit- I'm not an academy grad, just have a background in sports med. and have talked to a few recent grads about how they fared in the PT

[Nellie]

I am trying to loose some weight, but it really isn't working out that well. I used to weight in at 210, I am 6', and now I weigh in at about 206-208 with the occasional drop to 202-204. I figure when I get to the academy I will drop bellow 200, but looks like my body likes its current weight

I am 6'1" and was somewhere between 205 and 210 and 25 or so percent body fat at the beginning of the academy. I graduated at right around 190 and 11 something percent body fat. I currently weigh 180 (been as low as 175) and work out about 5 days a week.

You will probably lose 10 pounds in your first month. I probably would have lost more at the academy if I didn't eat junk on my three hour commute back and forth every weekend.

All measurements, weights, and timeframes are approximations.

[pupdog]

I know all the periodized training stuff. I was a gymnastics coach for 9 years. The kids thrived, I improved when I would work on it, but I dunno, it's almost like the marathon broke something. It's like, I found I could go slow forever, and became doomed to do ONLY that. When I trained for it, I was always cold & always hungry, plus I suddenly couldn't do one sit-up when previously I could pop off 100 easily (that's back) and since then, there's all these wierd physical things.
I'm definitly NOT over-trained. I know that stuff chapter & verse from coaching. I guess it's a plateau that's LONG overdo to end.
Took a break this morning & did a hard gear fast bike ride instead. I haven't felt this good in ages!

[STRIDER1]

Does anyone know what the body fat % is for the training table? And if so what is the testing method?

A PT instructor from the academy gave us a small insight back on 07/22 PAT in SLO. 16% and under on BF is what they want when you report at the academy. Place of measurements are the pects( triceps area for women), abs, and quadriceps area.

[CHPGuy]

Well Folks I just graduated the Explorer Academy on Saturday, July 29, 2006. And let me say this, STANDYBY!!! that was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. Waking up at 4:00am, shine your boots, Iron your pants and shirts, Make your bed ( I had top bunk so it was eazier), and then PT for and hour and a half with the actuall PT staff. I do believe those guys are paid to be mean and crazy, because I had all three of the men screaming in my face and spitting and calling me disgusting and fat and worthless. I'm 6' 3" and 300 lbs, so you can imagine how it was for me, but I made it! I caught so much s*** because of my size, but you just have to stick it out. They make you do push ups for anything, I received 100% on my test and I had to do push ups. But after it all I can say that it has made me stronger. It is just a mental game. Our Academy is only a week long, and we had 8 people quit on us. Some just arnt cut out for it. I guess the moral to my story is that no matter how big you are as long as you give 110%, and you have a big heart, you will do fine. And you will lose mass amounts of weight, in one week I lost 10lbs and two belt holes.

[G-Man]

and I dont even want to mention what happens if you walk thru the Circle!

how on earth do you walk through the new circle! it is a 9 foot full color star with a 10 inch wide blue border. not like the old one before the new floor was put in the gym. lol

[CHPGuy]

[pupdog]

Guess I needed that ride...grunted out 50 pushups this morning and only used my knee on 2 of them! Where did THAT come from?? I went for a 2nd set with, uh, less than admirable results, but so what!!!

I liked the PT guy at the PAT. If you listen to what he's saying/screaming rather than giggle in shock (as most applicants were doing), he's got some great pointers. Plus I LIKED that he called us all fat. I'm a girl, we seem doomed to think we're fat, and it was nice to have someone agree with me on that for a change:badgrin:

[ruda001]

Hello guys,
Although I don't post much, I frequently read the posts here and have been here for a while. I have been working my but off to lose weight. A year ago from today I was approximately 5' 8" 280-285 lbs. It was so bad that I had trouble bending down to tie my shoe laces. I have been thinking of joining the CHP for two years now, but have yet to apply due to my weight problem. I decided to work extremely hard at losing the weight since September of last year. I didn't really take any body fat or even weigh myself at the beginning until the beginning of this year. jan of this year I was approx. 270lb with 36% body fat. Over the last eight months I have dropped to 221 with a 24% body fat. This has been a total of 60+ pounds of weight loss in less than a year. But my main point was that many people say they lose more weight in the early stages of their dieting and exercising program, and I was just the opposite. I was only losing about 4 pounds a month, and these last couple of months I have been losing over 10 pounds. The thing is working harder and harder and you will achieve your expected weight lose goal.

My current diet is very simple;
Eat 500-1000 calories under your daily burned calories.
Whatever you do eat make sure it is nutritious (fruits, veggies, lean meats, etc.)
Exercise at high intensity @ early AM for cardio.
Weight lift for building muscle.

At the pace I am losing weight now I will hopefully drop to under 200 lbs before my PAT this November.
good luck with the weight loss, I am sure you guys will drop soon!

[MicahJames]

That is AWESOME Ruda, good job man. I REALLY ADMIRE your persistence. I am a fairly lean guy, most people always ask me for weight loss advice. I normally tell them to go ona routine similar to yours (early am 50 min cardio and eating 500-1000 under with only nutricious calories)

The MAIN and probably ONLY problem most people have, is sticking to it. I have yet to know one person who asked me to put them on a routine and did not get off of it within the first month. it IS very hard.

I sincerely admire anyone who can stick with this. Only time will tell someones dedication to shaping up! Very awesome, well done!

At one point, I was 6'3" 175lbs @ 9% BF. I am well on my way to getting back there. Great inspirational post man, look forward to hearing from you on here.

-MJ

[makakona]

seriously, ruda, you rock! good for you!!! with all of the shortcuts out there nowadays, it's so neat to hear of someone successfully losing weight the correct way. keep up the good work! your body will thank you!

[ruda001]

Thanks for the encouraging and kind words, it has been challenging maybe one of the most challenging things thus far in my life. You are right persistency in sticking to the daily workouts, diet and not taking any shortcuts is the key to reducing body fat while maintaining muscle. I have less then a year to finish my BS and hopefully get hired on the first time around.

[snowdog]

Your hard work, dedication and determination are highly commendable and exactly the trademarks any LE agency is looking for. Those same qualities are what will get you through the Academy. I'd have you as my graveyard partner anytime. Keep up the good work.

[ruda001]

Your hard work, dedication and determination are highly commendable and exactly the trademarks any LE agency is looking for. Those same qualities are what will get you through the Academy. I'd have you as my graveyard partner anytime. Keep up the good work.
Those were very kind words snowdog, I am now down to approx. 15% body fat @ 195lbs.....if I can do it any one can.....all you need is determination!

[WantToBeCHP]

Peckerhead said in a earlier post that, they tell you what shape you need to be in before you get to the academy. After reading a few post and finding out that they put you on a diet, how do they know what each persons body needs or does not need? Like myself, Im 6'3 and 231 but I dont look out of or feel out of shape, I just have large legs and chest. Do they run you threw a series of test before they put you on a diet, or do they just say "body weight does not match your height. Diet?" Maybe a officer who had to go threw or new a person who went threw this can answer this.

[Welpe]

Your hard work, dedication and determination are highly commendable and exactly the trademarks any LE agency is looking for. Those same qualities are what will get you through the Academy. I'd have you as my graveyard partner anytime. Keep up the good work.
Those were very kind words snowdog, I am now down to approx. 15% body fat @ 195lbs.....if I can do it any one can.....all you need is determination!

You're an inspiration Ruda, thank you and good luck to you!

[23109]

Peckerhead said in a earlier post that, they tell you what shape you need to be in before you get to the academy. After reading a few post and finding out that they put you on a diet, how do they know what each persons body needs or does not need? Like myself, Im 6'3 and 231 but I dont look out of or feel out of shape, I just have large legs and chest. Do they run you threw a series of test before they put you on a diet, or do they just say "body weight does not match your height. Diet?" Maybe a officer who had to go threw or new a person who went threw this can answer this.

They will measure your body fat using he "pinch" technique.

[chico.medic]

If your looking to shed fat, I came across an article in Men's Health. If you go to menshealth.com and use the search function, look for "lose 30". I think the article is "Lose 30lbs. in 3 months." The editor who wrote it outlined his food journal. Nothing spectacular, but it seems to be working so far. I just dropped another 5lbs, and I've only been trying this meal plan for less than a week. Of course, any diet is to be coupled with exercise. I've mainly been running 2-3 times a week, and some simple floor calisthenics.

So, if your interested......
http://www.menshealth.com/cda/article.do?site=MensHealth&channel=weight.loss&category=diet.strategies&conitem=12aa9fa950e1e010VgnVCM20000012281eac____

[ruda001]

Peckerhead said in a earlier post that, they tell you what shape you need to be in before you get to the academy. After reading a few post and finding out that they put you on a diet, how do they know what each persons body needs or does not need? Like myself, Im 6'3 and 231 but I dont look out of or feel out of shape, I just have large legs and chest. Do they run you threw a series of test before they put you on a diet, or do they just say "body weight does not match your height. Diet?" Maybe a officer who had to go threw or new a person who went threw this can answer this.

They will measure your body fat using he "pinch" technique.

Yes, weight will not matter, it will be based on your body fat....or atleast we were told by the academy instructors at the PAT....They said onyone over 16% will be on their diet list

[pupdog]

I was suprised that it was the pinch, and I overheard that they switched to that (previously it was a hand-held electric current device) for a more accurate measure. I was shocked to be pinched at 20.1% because the scale at home put me at a much horrific 30%. I asked a doctor friend about it, who told me the problem with the elecrtic measure is that the scale version only measures LOWER body fat (my thighs...ugh) and the hand-held only measures UPPER body fat. But the only 100% accurate measure remains the autopsy.
CTCIII-06 had 108, if memory serves, go on the training table. It's just one more thing, really. One guy on was rail thin, while one guy with a pot belly wasn't on.