How to get physically fit for the Marines, I'm in good shape, but smoke, I need advice. I am 18 years old.
108221
Did 4 years of Marine time but with the Navy. (the marines need navy medics) You need to drop the smoking. Decreased lung capacity isn't cool. You have to run 3 miles in 10 minutes. (that's a good time to set as a goal) You have to do 3 dead-hang pull ups (minimum) and as for sit ups and push ups, check: http://www.marines.com/page/usmc.jsp?flashRedirect=true  Good luck.
1044525
TOTALLY agree with the "go in October" theory......they are trying to fill quota's and and will take ANYONE within reason.\n\nCredit check......hmm....thats new to me....or perhaps I just didn't care when I joined BECAUSE I didn't have ANY credit.  Scoliosis.....I had it....minimally when I was in highschool (I wore a brace for a summer) and it didn't stop me from entering.\n\nThere is no doubt you will get in......STOP worrying.  \n\nHere is my biggest worry for YOU.  I was 18 when I entered.  I was young, skinny, childless and full of energy.  When I was tested for JUST the BASICS required for physical fitness......I flunked.  All those aerobics classes didn't do a thing for me, when I had to do a certain amount of push-ups, pull-ups and sit-ups.\n\nI ended up going to a Fitness Committee BEFORE I could even enter basic training AND all we did ALL day long.  8 HOURS a day was muscle strengthening, running, endurance exercises.  I was there 2 weeks and when I passed was able to THEN enter basic.  It was a breeze after that.....I was 2 weeks ahead of everyone else physically.\n\nAs my years in the military went by and I had children......my weight and my physical fitness were constant battles I struggled with.  You cannot be one pound over on a weigh-in, you must pass every PT test......so it was horrific for me (I hate running and I like donuts) and you may be the BEST soldier in the military and your section couldn't do without you etc......but if you don't keep up in those areas......it's ruff.  I made it barely but I don't know if I could have.....had I entered at 26.....I admire you!
889948
Well, not to do is smoke and don't start weight training until you are at least 16, both will stunt your growth.  Boys grow at a slower rate than girls.  You will eventually have your growth spurt, it might just take awhile.
750185
Once you are running those streets  and grinder of MCRD, and eating that Marine Corps chow, it shouldn't take you long to trim down to fightin weight.  In the beginning it will be tough, but if you start right now, you should be able to drop 20#'s or so, if you really put your mind to it.  Putting your mind to it is what the Marine Corps is all about, so go for it!\n\nTell your DI to say Hi! to Sgt/Mjr Woods  from the clock man, when you get there, he'll know who you're talking about.
791416
I spent 8 years in the marine corps myself so im partial to my brother marines, but there not for everyone, go to go navy.com go army.com (etc) and see what they have to offer for your own personel needs and desires,that or go to your nearest recrutement center and talk with them personaly, no matter which way you go on your choice, if you get in and can hack the training you'll find yourself a better fit humanbeing.and no matter what branch you chose it falls true in all cattigories, you'll have an alliance of brothers that will be there for you and to help you out in almost all situations ,,,,,,,,,good luck too you always and god be with you,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Stinger5906,,,,,,,,,,
514297
First of all, congratulations! I have recently quit smoking too, and am so proud of myself I haven't stepped on a scale! It is wonderful that you want to take care of your body in so many ways. It is very difficult to quit smoking, and I am so happy that you were able to accomplish such a task. What I reccomend for you is just a healthy, regular diet, and an exercise plan that fits you. Take a walk every day, and breathe in that fresh air, I bet you can smell better now!!! I love pilates, it is amazing for toning your muscles. Just replace fatty foods with fruits and vegetables. Don't drink your calories! Stay away from any sweetened beverages, such as pop and juice. I like yogurt, baby carrots, grapes, etc. because they are so portable. Do what makes you feel good. And congratulations again. Good luck with all that you do.
741154
I was in that category when I was your age also, but then I start playing soccer a lot and doing a lot of outdoor fun. Going hiking, bike riding, and anything to stay outside. Now I work in front of a desk and I'm back to 25 BMI. So now I have to eat right and try to get out as much as possible. I eat a lot of fruit and fiber. I'm vegetarian so I take a few vitamin supplements that I would normally easily get from meat (B-12, Iron, etc...). But that's all it really takes. If you want to get down to a 15 or 16 BMI then you'll have to work out. Crunches are alright, as listed above, but will also make you look a little fatter then you really are. It will make you muscles bigger and doesn't burn enough fat to compensate. Do a few leg exercises in the morning with some pushups. Do a few torso twist with a small amount of weight. The less the weight the more you should do, but remember, if you increase the weight you'll gain more muscle mass. I don't think that is what you want. Do a lot of aerobics. Walking is amazing, low impact and great for burning fat. Good luck with your endeavor.
883230
Pack light, be the first to get up and the first to get down, stay awake, learn order of rank and insignia asap (NCO's don't like to be called sir as they "work for a living"), eat fast, pay attention to details, only speak when spoken to and speak loudly, bring locks w/ keys (it's easy to forget your combo when your getting yelled at)....as I was informed at basic...only the USMC calls it boot camp....crawl under your rack to tighten up your sheets and dust cover, use foot powder, YOU DON'T HAVE TIME FOR CHICKS....I mean females.... AND THEY JUST GET YOU INTO TROUBLE....go to church even if you don't normally go (it's a nice break from the usual day)....the floor stripper cleans spray paint off the floor esp if there is already a thick coat of wax on the floor, drink lots of water, shallow breaths in the gas chamber, keep your weapon cleaned and oiled (don't forget to wipe off the buffer spring), they give you 2 pairs of boots make sure they are comfortable or it will tear up your feet, don't look around, take notes...it'll help keep you awake.....limit your caffine intake now
13962
Wow... an easy question and a hard question.\nThe key to getting fit is to be active and eat right.\nI will just talk about the active part.\n\nThere are 2 key things that have worked for me.\n1. Do something every day\n2. Variety\n\nSo first of all you have to find something you like to do.  If you don't like it, you wont have fun doing it.\n\nSecondly, you need to have variety.  If you do the same thing every day, I don't care how fun it is you will get bored of it!\n\nSo a very good way to do this is find a friend or partner that likes to do things you like to do.\n\nWhatever you do, do it for at least 1 hour.  Even light activity for 1 hour, every day, is good for you.\n\nGood luck!
1155843
I would suggest Air Force myself but to each there own.  My number one advice is physical fitness. Run 3 miles ever other day, do sit ups ( we know it's not the best exercise for the back but hopefully the army will change it soon), and practice push ups when ever you can.  Number two talk to female soldiers.  There are just some things that guys don't deal with in the military that women have to so connect with them.  Number three don't get all hung up with some big drill Sargent yelling and screaming.  \n\nGood luck!
1041319
Since you have a year to prepare, you should be in good shape before you leave.  My advice is that you start doing physical training on your own now.  Push ups, sit ups, pull ups, running, weights, and anything else that you can think of to strengthen your body.  If you are physically prepared for Basic, then you will be more able to contend with the mental and emotional abuse that you will suffer.  I would also suggest that you familiarize yourself with firearms early.  Learn how they feel when they go off, how they sound, and most importantly, how different fire arms operate.  Learn to break them down and clean them properly.  If you have this info before you leave, then you will be more prepared when you begin this in basic.  \nLearn to eat fast, and prepare yourself for a three meal, no snack day.  If you are used to eating three meals and two snacks per day you will feel hungry all the time at basic.  If you usually skip breakfast, you will feel weighted down during the morning hours at basic, and find yourself lacking the energy to make it through till lunch.  I also suggest that you learn to eat standing up (the last ones in the lunch room earn kitchen detail), so you will want to go  (with your tray while eating) from the food line to the exit line.  \nNow, of everything that I have said, the most important is the physical aspect.  If you are physically unprepared, you will have a much harder time with basic...\nGood Luck\n\nK
493317
Well, at 50 pack*years most people get either tobacco related cancer or pulmonary disease (COPD) or heart attacks. With 1.5 pack per day, this gives you ~33 years. Even for tough people, I don't think it's physically possible to do more than 70-80 pack*years without getting a tobacco-related disease (especially cancer). This gives you at most 50 more years of smoking.\n\nThat being said, you may prove to be the exception and live until age 90. Medicine is not like mathematics. However, for the vast majority of people, smoking AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE is the best and safest strategy. \n\nBy the way, even if you manage to reach age 90 despite smoking, you (a) would have lived to age 120 if you didn't smoke and (b) suffered from a lower quality of life throughout.\n\nTrust me on this one: Just don't smoke. This is probably the most certain medical advice I can imagine. (OK, along with wearing a seat belt, a condom and avoiding drugs)
175549
You're only 15 and your body is still changing physically.  I would just stick to a regular cardio workout a few times a week just to keep you in shape.
230092
hey man there aint no easy way. i smoked for ten years and am quit for a year now.  first you have to do it cold turky. no cutting down patch gum or anything. do it only when ur the most motivated and determined. then use all the will power that you have to not take even a hit off another cig, when cravings start chew gum, and work out. If you run it out that works vary well also, just keep yourself busy and you will notice in a few weeks the cravings will start to go away. just remember the key is cold turky if you put nicoteen in your body in any way you will fail its inevitable. remember dieng of lung cancer will suck, good luck.   -clokey
831464
Oh c'mon!   Give me a chance, I have only just seen the question!  \nMy resolutions.  \nI gave up smoking 8 years ago so thats out.\nIm on a diet and have lost 5 stone so I guess I continue with that til I'm a perfect size 10 (as if! Size 16 is more like it lol).\nI think its got to be more exercise.\nBe nice to my kids.\nLove my neighbours.\nEmbrace the world .\nOops I think I went a bit far there... ;)
84989
I'm actually in pretty good shape but I still think this question applies to me. I find it is extremely difficult to maintain physical fitness due to work and family obligations. I work long hours and I have to care for a child and aging parents. That being said I still find time to exercise. However I completely understand how people have difficulty doing what is necessary to stay in shape. I don't drink, I don't smoke, I don't party - so basically I don't have much of a social life. For those with active social lives I can imagine it is next to impossible.
325286
You can't do that and be healthy.  Most of the weight you lost would have to be water weight and you'd put that right back on.  Good for you for not smoking, but now you need to start exercising.  Try setting smaller goals.