Overweight, How much is too much?

[JackFlash]

'ello! I am another newbie interested in a career with the CHP. I have made extensive use of the "search" function but have not found anything detailed to my question.

I am overweight, by a lot. I hit the gym three times a week, but I like to eat. :biggrin: I don't think I will have a problem passing the PAT but...

I read a post about being DQ'ed for weight and I am a little worried. Can I get some expert advice?

Thank You.

[Nor-Cal hopeful]

http://www.chpforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2155&highlight=weight
http://www.chpforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2032&highlight=weight

[JackFlash]

I saw the first thread you posted but I musts have missed the relevant part. I did a search for weight I swear it. lol. That's reassuring, hopefully if I make it, I won't enter for a few months that way I have more time to loose this weight.


What scared me was some person being dq'ed for being overweight, I don't remember which thread it was, but scary.

[Mom]

Is this the post you were referring to?

http://www.chpforums.com/forum/showpost.php?p=25536&postcount=14

Get the weight off fast. You will lose it quickly in the academy, but it will be so much more painful. Figure even if you lost all you want to lose before going in, you will lose more there. My son could have stood to have lost 20 lbs entering the academy. He has lost close to 60 (50 in the first 12 weeks without any effort......) To me, he looks way too thin. (He is down to a 30 in pants.)

If you are so overweight you are concerned about a DQ, I would also be concerned about passing the PAT.

Oh, and learn not to eat. There won't be much on the training table, might start preparing now.

[JackFlash]

Is this the post you were referring to?

http://www.chpforums.com/forum/showpost.php?p=25536&postcount=14

Get the weight off fast. You will lose it quickly in the academy, but it will be so much more painful. Figure even if you lost all you want to lose before going in, you will lose more there. My son could have stood to have lost 20 lbs entering the academy. He has lost close to 60 (50 in the first 12 weeks without any effort......) To me, he looks way too thin. (He is down to a 30 in pants.)

If you are so overweight you are concerned about a DQ, I would also be concerned about passing the PAT.

Oh, and learn not to eat. There won't be much on the training table, might start preparing now.

I can pass the PAT, it's a 100 yard dash and a lap and a half, like I said I go to the gym, I'm just fat. lol

[23112]

Is this the post you were referring to?

http://www.chpforums.com/forum/showpost.php?p=25536&postcount=14

Get the weight off fast. You will lose it quickly in the academy, but it will be so much more painful. Figure even if you lost all you want to lose before going in, you will lose more there. My son could have stood to have lost 20 lbs entering the academy. He has lost close to 60 (50 in the first 12 weeks without any effort......) To me, he looks way too thin. (He is down to a 30 in pants.)

If you are so overweight you are concerned about a DQ, I would also be concerned about passing the PAT.

Oh, and learn not to eat. There won't be much on the training table, might start preparing now.

C'mon, Mom--some of us have been a 30 waist since high school--it's not so bad. :biggrin:

But I know what you mean. We had a guy in our class lose something like 66 pounds and he looked like a new man on graduation day. Shoot, he looked new the second time we swam at the Academy.

For any hopefuls that aren't quite svelte, yet--WORK HARD NOW. That way, losing fat at the Academy isn't a new experience and you can maintain a high level of fitness once you graduate and not look like a stuffed sausage out there. :lol:

[Hwydog]

The post by the applicant referenced by the link is what happens when your medical is reviewed by the State Medical Officer and your height / weight is out of the norms. The results of the stress EKG are what really matter. If the results show you've passed the treadmill by going the appropriate amount of minutes and have not gone over the maximum heart rate and blood pressure, you should be OK for medical clearance. The fact that you state you're in shape is probably a positive sign...if your idea of in shape and the medical officer's idea of in shape are the same. Do not use the fact that you passed the PAT as an indicator of being in shape. The passing of the PAT is a minimalistic screening tool and is not indicative that you would be able to perform the METS of activity required to successfully get through the stress EKG. My advice would be to get on a total weight loss and physical conditioning program now (at this point I wouldn't worry as much about strength training as I would be about Cardio)...any indication that you are improving your physical condition can only be a positive for you should your case end up in Hiring Committee - or (perish the thought) going through the appeal process.

Good luck!

[JackFlash]

Thank you so much HwyDog, your advice has been much appreciated. Last week i stopped my strength training and have started straight running every day. I am trying to eat right, but food is my weakness. My goal is 2 miles a day right now, no time goals yet. I imagine this process will take another 3-4 months, since I am not even deep into the process yet.