Re: Overweight and Discouraged

[Anonymous]

: Hi, I am 21 years old and really want to join the Army but I am terribly
: afraid I am too overweight. And I am pretty sure I am atleast 30 pounds
: over for height. What happens if you go to MEPS and you are very
: overweight?


You will receive a grace period in which to lose the weight before they allow you to sign. Generally it's thirty day period, but some have been given longer depending on how fast you lose it.
:
: Do they make you lose all that weight before you can leave for
: Basic or will they still let you in?

They will not enlist you overweight, you will have to lose it. You can make the weight standards, sign, and go in and find that during the period between signing and actually going to basic you have gained over the accepted limit. They will allow you to continue on to basic, but you will be a marked woman. They will enroll you into the "fat boy" program. If you do not maintain your weight after that point (once you lose again) it is grounds to put you out of the Army.
:
: What if I am okay as far as BMI but
: not with the height to weight ratio.

The Army does not take into consideration BMI, they do however consider Body Fat which is different. If you are within the Body Fat Ratio and are overweight you are still eligible to enlist. Again, though, you will be constantly monitored to make sure you stay within the Body Fat Ratio.

[Anonymous]

Paula,

I am 20 years old and I am planning on joining the Army in just a few months. Just 4 weeks ago, I weighed in at 198lbs. At 5'5" and 36% body fat, I think they were probably laughing at me all day long. I have stuck with their diets, running, and exercising because I have made a committment to my future. Although I haven't physically signed any documents, I am getting prepared day-by-day. If you don't start now, then it will take forever to get to where you want to be. Today I weighed in at 176. I lost 22lbs in a month. If I can take my very sedentary lifestyle and turn it into an active one, then anyone can. Best Of Luck,

Angie


:
: You will receive a grace period in which to lose the weight before they allow
: you to sign. Generally it's thirty day period, but some have been given
: longer depending on how fast you lose it.
:
: They will not enlist you overweight, you will have to lose it. You can make
: the weight standards, sign, and go in and find that during the period
: between signing and actually going to basic you have gained over the
: accepted limit. They will allow you to continue on to basic, but you will
: be a marked woman. They will enroll you into the "fat boy"
: program. If you do not maintain your weight after that point (once you
: lose again) it is grounds to put you out of the Army.
:
: The Army does not take into consideration BMI, they do however consider Body
: Fat which is different. If you are within the Body Fat Ratio and are
: overweight you are still eligible to enlist. Again, though, you will be
: constantly monitored to make sure you stay within the Body Fat Ratio.




Cutie1433@hotmail.com

[Anonymous]

Paula,

I am 20 years old and I am planning on joining the Army in just a few months. Just 4 weeks ago, I weighed in at 198lbs. At 5'5" and 36% body fat, I think they were probably laughing at me all day long. I have stuck with their diets, running, and exercising because I have made a committment to my future. Although I haven't physically signed any documents, I am getting prepared day-by-day. If you don't start now, then it will take forever to get to where you want to be. Today I weighed in at 176. I lost 22lbs in a month. If I can take my very sedentary lifestyle and turn it into an active one, then anyone can. Best Of Luck,

Angie


:
: You will receive a grace period in which to lose the weight before they allow
: you to sign. Generally it's thirty day period, but some have been given
: longer depending on how fast you lose it.
:
: They will not enlist you overweight, you will have to lose it. You can make
: the weight standards, sign, and go in and find that during the period
: between signing and actually going to basic you have gained over the
: accepted limit. They will allow you to continue on to basic, but you will
: be a marked woman. They will enroll you into the "fat boy"
: program. If you do not maintain your weight after that point (once you
: lose again) it is grounds to put you out of the Army.
:
: The Army does not take into consideration BMI, they do however consider Body
: Fat which is different. If you are within the Body Fat Ratio and are
: overweight you are still eligible to enlist. Again, though, you will be
: constantly monitored to make sure you stay within the Body Fat Ratio.




Cutie1433@hotmail.com