Weighty matters
Dec. 29th, 2009 02:23 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
aadlerOn my first deployment (Iraq, 2003-4), I found myself having a problem with weight and fitness. When I wasn’t actually out working with a team — which happened less and less as the tour progressed — it was just too hot for exercise, and an opulent KBR chow hall was set up directly across the street from my tent, and the combination was such that it took me months, on my return to the States, to build myself back into shape.
In Afghanistan (2005-6), keeping that problem in mind, I tried to maintain a regular routine at the small gym the SF guys had in their compound. Results were mixed, but I at least succeeded in holding my ground. At Guantanamo (2007), I had a bit more free time to myself and I was more motivated most of the time; during my tour there, I lost weight and turned in what remains my best all-time APFT score ever.
This time …
This time, the Army itself is aware of the tendency of mobilized troops to rest whenever they’re not working, and my own unit requires PT every morning, Monday through Friday. I maxed out years ago on the number of sit-ups required for my age group (as in, once I reach a certain number, that’s 100% and more sit-ups don’t add to the score), and am now maxing for push-ups as well. My run, as usual, is weak; I’m training myself back up to it — again, as usual — but I can now revert to the age waiver, if necessary, that allows me to substitute a 2.5-mile walk for the 2-mile run.
The problem is, I’m fat.
It crept up on me, not quite a pound a week, and I’ve known for awhile that I needed to address the issue, but the measures I took haven’t really delivered any results. I’m currently fifteen pounds over the limit the Army allows me (which limit is, itself, ridiculously liberal), and I need to get more aggressive in dealing with this issue.
The good news is, we’ve passed the vernal equinox. The days should (gradually) begin getting longer again, so that I can do more running outside in the mornings instead of on a treadmill. It just seems a bit ironic that I should be so far behind the curve in two things — running and weight — at the point that I’m stronger than ever in the remainder.
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Date: 2009-12-31 05:54 am (UTC)