Being in shape crosses over to EVERY aspect of life

Driven2Succeed

Don Juan
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i know someone has probably hit this topic already, but i just want to touch on the importance of being fit. i'm not talking about being a huge bodybuilder or anything, because the average person does not have the time, desire, money, or genetics to be a monster. i am talking about being in good shape, like big upper body, small waist, and muscular legs. at 5'10 and 180ish and 7% i am by no means HUGE but i am in good shape and love to workout..usually 6x a week with weights and run 3-5 times a week..ruck march too..

i find that being in shape can do nothing but help u out in life. the first thing people look at is ur face and then ur body and how ur built. sometimes even your body depending on the situation and setting..being in the Army this is paramount, when it comes to promotion, respect, and just being able to take the abuse of being a soldier in tough situations..right now to max my pt test i have to do 75 pushups in 2 mins, 80 situps in 2 mins, and run 2 miles in 13 minutes..i max it but its definitely an ass kicker, esp the run..im not a great runner but i am running more than ever before..

i mean i am judged on my ability to be strong and ready to fight..and being an NCO and having soldiers i am responsible for i need to set the example and be the person they look up to. this is very important to me, because i want to be a respected leader and i want to be the example other soldiers strive to be. overall i just want to make the Army a better place and make sure my comrades are fit and strong and able to kill haji lol..

other people may scoff, and say, well ur in the Army of course u need to be in shape..but this carries over to the civilian world as well..being in shape gives u so much confidence its not even funny. esp the people like myself who used to be fat or out of shape..watching ur body transform through ur own work and discipline can do wonders for ur confidence and overall fitness..i mean if u can lose 50 pounds and get ur body in shape i know it will add mad confidence. ur demeaner will change to and u will automatically viewed more positively in all aspects of life..its like if i could morph my body, which is one of the hardest things in the world, then i can make it in med school, law school, police acad, college, fire fighter, etc.. once ur mindset is right, nothing is impossible..

on the flip side, when we see overweight or obese people we automatically think.. lazy, dumb, low confidence, ugly, or just lack of discipline when it comes to eating and fitness. this isn't always true but in a lot of cases it is the first impression that sticks. in Army and Marine corps this is unacceptable and being the fat or weak guy is not who u want to be. over time this can cause emotional scaring..basically there are no benefits to being out of shape.. i think the mental lack of confidence is the biggest thing..

we all had different reasons to start working out. and by coming to this forum u either have nothing better to do, or more likely u want to make a change in your life. i personally started doing pushups and running on my own when i was 15 because i wanted to join navy and be a SEAL..that obviously didn't happen for reasons but now that i am in Army its all good..i am pursuing my goals and i really dont think anything can stop me but myself.. thats the attitude u have to adopt for training..

women, military, job, health.. whatever the reason is just get started and u will be glad u did.. girls is a big reason for a lot of men, and theres no doubt most girls prefer a fit man..

i used to wake at 0430, run 5 miles..work 12 hours til 1900, then go home have some coffee and hit the gym at 2100..5 days a week, and on weekends i lifted to and ran.. i was definitley over training back then but i arrived on oahu at 5'10 and about 165.. now 3 years later i am 180 and way more cut than i was at 165..i have fluctuated up to 195 of muscle but i have found i am most functional and feel the best at a leaner 180.. much easier to run and better overall feeling to be lean and muscular. now a days its more like i just do instinctive training, like if i feel i wanna do bi's twice in a week i will, if i dont feel motivated to train i rest until i do.. usually a break reenergizes me and gets me stoked to workout again..i took 27 days off while attending special forces assessment and selection in june..well, not really a break, but a break from weightlifting anyway lol..lost 15 pounds in 3 1/2 weeks, scary huh? haha.. right now i am on a cloud..lifting 6 days a week and running more than ever and i feel great.. preping for airborne school and then 82nd airborne division to be a Paratrooper where being fit is not a choice.. and im STOKED on it..

anyways this is a long ass post.. just felt like sharing my view on fitness and how much it has improved my life.. if u have any questions post them or contact me on myspace.. search owen davis or flyguy3663@hotmail.com and u will find me.. guess thats about it..

if this teaches just one person something, then it was a success in my opinion..

stay motivated and achieve your goals in life no matter what they may be

owen davis
 

Driven2Succeed

Don Juan
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hey bud, the pt test is conducted like this.. usually get in a line of 6-10 people.. do ur 2 mins of pushups, get 10mins to rest, then u do ur 2 mins of sit ups while someone holds ur feet..then, u get to rest another 10 and do the 2 mile run.

the rest time will vary depending on how many people are in your line, but generally it will be about 15 minutes..by regulation it has to be at least 10 minutes though and no more than 30 i believe, between events.

i personally lift weights on my own.. but a lot of units usually do regular pt in the morning which is running and calisthenics and then release their soldiers to go to the gym in the afternoon as part of the duty day. i truly envy those guys lol. i have to make my own time to hit it, but i make it work..

thanks for the good luck at Airborne School.. shouldn't be too bad, just a lot of formation runs at 8-9 min mile pace for 3-5 miles everyday for 3 weeks.. that and just jumping out of the plane and not b1tching out lol..

hope that answered your question about the pt test man..

owen
 

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Master Don Juan
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I agree 100%.

Health and discipline are two of the most important things you can have in your life, and physical fitness creates or teaches both.

My life is so much better since I started working out. I'm excited about starting my new workout and diet next week. It gives me energy for all other aspects of my life that I want to improve.
 
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