Hey all,
So I decided to do a bit of a journal chronicling my way from fat man to soldier. I figured this Personal Stories section could help get my thoughts out, gain more information, and maybe even inspire someone in the future. I have yet to submit my application into the Recruitment Office, however I write my CFAT in 2 days.
I've always thought of joining the military. When I was younger, I'm 25 now, I was in the Cadets for three days, my grandmother (who I was raised and living with) wouldn't allow me to as she was PO'd at my uncle who 'left her for the military'. At 14, parents control you. I went through a bout with depression, was medicated for a few years, did a stint in the hospital and six years after quitting the pills, here I am as normal as anyone can be. That was my primary worry about joining the military. After a talk with my doctor, he said he wouldn't hesitate to sign the papers and even added that as far as our imperfect species goes, I'm as perfect as the next guy. So if anyone reads this who may have questions or concerns about teenage angst or parents who thought you needed meds because you grew up during the Ritalin Era, you are as healthy as you choose to live and don't let anything hold you back from your dreams.
Back to my 'personal story'.
I have two beautiful daughters under 3-years old, a beautiful stay-at-home wife, but a fledging career in a Call Center. 4 weeks ago, I made the decision to pursue a military career. I am still at least 3 months away from turning in my Application (hoping for late December/Early January since the trades don't open til April). As mentioned above, I write my CFAT in two days.
One month ago, I was (still am) a Call Center worker. I was 5'11, 230lbs (definitely not muscle nor anything that resembles muscle), poor cardio, horrible eating habits, too much Tim Hortons (Extra Large Triple Triples)... you name it. I almost forgot, a heavy smoker as well.
That, my friends, was a month ago.
I started a daily regiment of getting up at 6am instead of 9am. Going to the gym or walking around a lake near my house. The lake takes about 35mins to walk around at about 2.6-2.8km. I started briskly walking around said lake or pond. First off at 35mins, increasing speed over the gradual 4 weeks, and doing it now in about 25mins. Changing my eating habits to more veggies and fruits, less fattening foods and calories, I have seen a weight decrease of 15lbs. 15lbs!!! I've went down a pant size even. I'm a mesomorph, I carry weight evenly so my face even lightened a bit, down to a chin and a half. 4 weeks ago I could barely do 5 push-ups, I can now cruise properly to 20. This is thanks to light weights at the gym, less weight more reps. Same with sit-ups. Fat got in the way. I cut back on smoking from almost a pack a day to sometimes 2 sometimes 5 a day. Not quit yet, but getting there. The patch didn't work for me, but my will to get into the military is. The most important part about starting to work out is cardio. Doing the light weights helps a tad with cardio as well as helping define and tone muscles (more reps). I do 15mins on the Crosstrainer 4 days aweek, and to measure in speed, roughly moving at 9kph. I'll be starting swimming in lieu of the gym on Wednesdays for an hour or so. My hope, is maybe to document my journey through the recruitment process and all the way to BMQ if possible. Its never too late.
Starting out
Weight- 230lbs
Push-ups- 5
Sit-ups- 5 proper
Today
Weight- 212lbs
Push-ups- 20
Sit-ups- 15proper
) So I wish you all the mental power you need to not go insane... I do not know if I could personally do it.. but I am paranoid half the time with that sort of thing. Good luck.
