08-17-2006, 04:31 AM
All of us have dreams. Two years ago I was convicted that I was about to embark upon my dream of joining the Army shortly. With a twist of irony it seems that my resuming the monthly contests will be abruptly ended, as that dream is about to come to fruition. Of course I have no desire to see the contests die simply due to my temporary departure for boot camp, and would love to trust it to another member of the review board to run those contests.
Anyhow, it has been a long road of ups and down to get here. How can I say with confidence now that I am going when two years ago I "left" believing the same thing? Quite simply, progress. Normally I gain fat during the summer and winter, dropping it during my more active spring and autumn months, but maintain stasis around 27-28% body fat. This is between the point of needing a body fat waiver (and thus being stuck on a restricted diet during the beginning of basic training) and being simply disqualified (30% body fat is a disqualifier). Two years ago I was in that area. One year ago I was still in that area. Three months ago I was at 29% -- but today I am at around 26.18% body fat, which is the lowest I've been since I started working towards the Army two and a half years ago.
I have found my way, and now I am going the distance with this. Until I learned how much my latest dietary changes have truly helped, I was in a bit of despair about my situation, and saying I would give up if I didn't make it past the physical (which I'm now planning on for Friday, 25 August). At roughly 0.2% over the cutoff for not needing a waiver, I find my confidence has come back. In 9 days, I can drop 0.1 to 0.2% body fat, and if I keep it up I can be lower when I get taped before I ship out -- and not need to worry about harsher trteatment due to my body fat percentage.
I will keep you all updated on my progress here -- I cannot go until next week because I need two things before I go -- I need my last dental appointment fulfilled, which involves me getting several more fillings (Friday), and a note from the dentist that verifies my mouth is in stable condition, which must then be approved by MEPS. After that -- I'm essentially in. I can make it through the rest of the physical without problem, and I should be fine on the arms test. Following those, I'll get sworn in and get my ship date, and I'll let you all know my last day here, before basic, once I know that.
Anyhow, it has been a long road of ups and down to get here. How can I say with confidence now that I am going when two years ago I "left" believing the same thing? Quite simply, progress. Normally I gain fat during the summer and winter, dropping it during my more active spring and autumn months, but maintain stasis around 27-28% body fat. This is between the point of needing a body fat waiver (and thus being stuck on a restricted diet during the beginning of basic training) and being simply disqualified (30% body fat is a disqualifier). Two years ago I was in that area. One year ago I was still in that area. Three months ago I was at 29% -- but today I am at around 26.18% body fat, which is the lowest I've been since I started working towards the Army two and a half years ago.
I have found my way, and now I am going the distance with this. Until I learned how much my latest dietary changes have truly helped, I was in a bit of despair about my situation, and saying I would give up if I didn't make it past the physical (which I'm now planning on for Friday, 25 August). At roughly 0.2% over the cutoff for not needing a waiver, I find my confidence has come back. In 9 days, I can drop 0.1 to 0.2% body fat, and if I keep it up I can be lower when I get taped before I ship out -- and not need to worry about harsher trteatment due to my body fat percentage.
I will keep you all updated on my progress here -- I cannot go until next week because I need two things before I go -- I need my last dental appointment fulfilled, which involves me getting several more fillings (Friday), and a note from the dentist that verifies my mouth is in stable condition, which must then be approved by MEPS. After that -- I'm essentially in. I can make it through the rest of the physical without problem, and I should be fine on the arms test. Following those, I'll get sworn in and get my ship date, and I'll let you all know my last day here, before basic, once I know that.