Happy Birthday to me!

At 18 I knew everything. I didn't want any help and I trekked out to The Big Bad Apple to live and make movies. Stubborn. Hard headed. Fiery. Fresh faced. Full of motivation, big ideas, and tons of goals.

Now at 25 I don't know a damn thing and I need help. I'm living at home with a bad case of writer's block. Still stubborn, hard headed, and fiery. But now I have that worn Irish weary eyed look on life. Think Dylan Moran. (video)

I need to make a list before I hit 30. *gulp*

Pride and Joy?

I passed the IST*...well...on my own; not with any of the Army/Marine recruiters. Because:

1.) Army recruiter STILL hasn't gotten back to me.

2.) The Marine recruiter still won't process me until I'm 20lbs lighter.

:-\

But I PASSED the IST. I PASSED. Being 20lbs overweight and with a knee that contains more fluid than what it should, I MOTHERFUCKING PASSED.
Barely on the running portion but that can be improved upon.
Hahahah I WANT MY WAIVER NOW!!

My mother is happy for me and that makes me happy.
My father?
My father is an Army man, so he is biased. But him along with so many other people who find out I'm leaning towards the Marines, I get the same response; "Why don't you join the Air Force?"
If I want to join the Air Force, I will join the Air Force. But I have no desire to, so therefore I won't. It's simple. "But there are sooo many opportunities in the Air Force!" I understand that. But I went to school for filmmaking and if I join the service I would like to carry that over to some aspect of my military career. I want something challenging. I want to be part of something more than a film set filled with big egos, make up trailers, and SAG regulations. "What about the Peace Corps! Join the Peace Corps!" No. That and I don't have much of a rapport for the Peace Corps. "Can you honestly kill someone?" Not to be unPC, but that's a retarded question. There are plenty of people in the military who have never killed a person. But most of all, it's the comments from my father that strike me particularly hard, probably because he's Da. "They (sic Marines) don't take care of their people." "As a woman you would not have any opportunities to grow."
Even if I didn't pick 4671, there's a good amount of MOSs I could take out into the "real world" after the Marines. And even from the Army. Despite the whole Marines vs Army deal, I'm sure if I sign my name to Eagle, Globe, and Anchor branch there will be yelling, crying (from me), slamming of doors, and empty threats between my father and I. I'm turning 25 this week. Really, I think I can make my own choices without being labeled that "I'm doing it for the uniform"  or "You haven't done your research" bullshit.

My film career is stagnant. I've had a bad case of writer's block and no time to get over it. I hate school my professors. I want something new, exciting, and something I'll be doing for a few years. I've done my stint as a derby athlete. It's time to hang up those skates and move on. I ache for a change.

I just hope he will still be proud of me no matter what I do. No matter what uniform I put on.

Speaking of family...living with your folks after...six years on your own; talk about change.

*Initial Strength Test Marine IST and Army PFT.

What's in a name?

I've been thinking about the name of this blog. It's corny. Right now it'll suffice. I actually have a really good idea for a name but it's pointless to title the blog that until I pass bootcamp. But it's really catchy! And fun! And exciting! But as I said it's not entirely correct as of now....or maybe I should just do it....hmmm

I dropped 2.5 pounds last week only to gain a pound this week. ??
I don't understand that unless if it was muscle gain. But there's no way anyone can gain a pound of muscle in a week? As I said a couple of posts back I've switched to an entirely strength based programme. But my diet is not stellar for me to gain a pound of muscle. So I'm frustrated. Very frustrated.

For those wondering how I'm doing on the push up challenge...as of today I'm at 7600 push ups. I'm beat. I have until May 2nd to finish 10,000.

I can do it.

If I had magic pills....

I complained so much about not losing weight I lost two pounds this week. In theory if I keep bitching about it I'll keep losing.

Because the lost was in no way connected to upping my strength program....


Another new drug is being brought up to the FDA for approval. I had to do some research because I have never heard of a site called "Weight Loss Surgery Channel" and found a supporting article at Reuters. From the reports there were no long term studies done on the drug. Were the particpants able to keep the weight off? More importantly, the sideffects? If people switched to a healthier diet I'm sure that for the most part people would not need pills to lose the excess weight.
Wauwatosa, WI has the right idea.
And Baylor Health Care Systems.

Random note: Living in NYC there were rumours about starting the 2nd Ave subway line..which..really? Granted that far north on the island to get from Lexington Ave line to say...York Ave is a bit of a hike, Eight blocks maybe? Now with the line under construction more businesses are shutting down, including a gym I use to go to with a friend. 

Weightloss

Sometimes I get so hung up about these last pounds it's ridiculous. It's one thing I can actually control (for the most part) and something just isn't working. I'm pretty sure the last 20lbs are all in my ass, which has proven to be a difficult area to lose inches.

Losing the weight isn't for vanity reasons obviously or this blog wouldn't be here. I'm required to lose the weight or I can't join the Army/Marines. In theory I could lose it all in basic training/boot camp, but what if I don't?

The best solution is to just forget about the weightloss and just focus on run time, situps, pushups, and arm hangs.

Recruiter Issues....

Back in March I had to move a meeting with the Army recruiter back a few days due to a new baby in the family. When I got back in town a little earlier (the day we were to meet) I rang him up and was told that he was not in and went home early. I figured that's okay because he cam in at 3am and was beat. And that's find because at that time I didn't lose the two pounds I wanted and I was about to pass out from lack of sleep.

So I rang him that following Monday. Not there. Rang him that following Friday. Nothing.

Next week....nothing.

And now...three weeks out....still nothing. I'm going to phone him today but I have to wonder how awkward that conversation will be, if it takes place. He probably thinks I punked out on him. Is joining the service like converting to Judasim? Where the recruiter will turn you down three times and if you come back for a fourth try they'll take you in?

Fitness round up: Getting buff and staying away from 3,000 calorie meals

10,000 Push ups in a month: Today 2430 push ups so far.
3 Mile Run: 30:02 (oooooh fuuuuuuuuu)
2 Mile Run: 21:13
1 1/2 Mile Run: 17:22

Yes I'm beat. And no I haven't attempted any pull ups/flexed arm hangs. I. Am. Sore. Those run times are bleeeeeeeeeeeeeh.

If you've always wanted to look like you're cut from head to toe (I wouldn't mind....) then check out "I want to look like that guy!"  Particularly the page with the videos.

WedMD.....a site I should never visit; "Why does my knee make a clicking noise? Why am I feeling pain on my side? Why am I bleeding from my ears?" Any dang way they had an article out that I thought was interesting and relevant. 
I'm pretty fortunate I don't have any cravings for fast food or junk food in general. Unless I'm PMSing...which I am right now...then it's just the occasional chocolate and bottle glass of red wine. I can't fathom how some people eat crap 24/7/365. The last time I ate fast food (7 months ago) I felt like dying. That and as if I had rub the sandwich all over my face. I get sugar highs from fruit. Watermelon, which is almost pure glucose, puts me into a crack induced frenzy state. Speaking of crap food.....

Men's Health came out with a new 20 Worst Restaurant Foods.
I personally want to know what The Cheesecake Factory is DOING TO THEIR FOOD!! That's not normal. That's not right.

If looking at those links made you feel horrible let me direct you to my favourite exercise database sites here and here.


This week I started my all strength training routine and as I stated above, I'm sore. I am mainly focusing on upper body and core strength while my lower body is geared towards rehabbing my knees with medium intensity workouts. Squats, lunges, leg presses etc. without heavy weights. Obviously it's too early to see if this strength only regime will work or have any positive effect. I'm not kicking out cardio entirely but for this week I need to put it on the back burner so my knees can heal. And I need to build up muscles badly. I'm not weak, but to lift my ass up to a pull bar I need arms of steel.

I'm not looking to be like Pauline Nordin. All I want is my run time to be outstanding and to do pull ups.

And bounce quarters off my ass.

So what if you're gay and sexually assaulted?

This bugs me a bit. I'm not surprised but really? People still think homosexuals are nothing but a bunch of wild, undisciplined, crazy, sex fiends who would rape you the second the lights turn off? It's issues like this one that saddens me and puts a damper on joining the service. Who cares who you like to fuck as long as you are the best Marine/Soldier/Airman/Sailor? It's not disease or illness. And it certainly doesn't inhibit someone from doing their job.

So is sexual assault. I can't tell you how much that angers and saddens me. You volunteer to serve your country and not only do you have to be trained to fight the enemy on the other side but the "enemy within". There will always be that "boys will be boys" excuse and that's fucking bull shit. Or "she deserved it/she had it coming". Who deserves to be raped?!?! People who go out and have a few drinks...do they deserve to be raped? People who go out by themselves on base...do they deserve to be raped? I think Jamie Doak nailed it in her article and tips to prevent sexual assault.
A friend emailed me this link, a little film titled "Rape in The Ranks". I haven't seen the film so I can't pass judgment on it. The related video clips on You Tube are concerning. This is what makes me nervous, that no matter how straight lace I may be, no matter hard working I am, there's this chance I might be sexually assaulted (assaulted in general really) by a fellow Soldier/Marine....
It's just not right.

Boot camp/Basic training

Boot camp = Marines
Basic training = Army

I do not want to get that mixed up. While I'm at it:

DIs (Drill Instructors) = Marines
DSs (Drill Sergeants) = Army

The past few months...oh more than that... I've been looking at the training involved for both branches. Both are going to be tough no matter what, physically and mentally. Army is 9 weeks and Marines is 13 weeks. So the Marine Corps has this bragging right that they're tougher with higher PFT scores and longer recruit training. Boil it down, you have to be in shape. You have to run. Do push ups. Do crunches...sit ups. About two years ago the Marine Corps started the CFT or Combat Fitness Test to go with the PFT.

Digressing: Notice on the PFT link that for female Marines one pull up out scores the flexed arm hang. Hm. If that's the case then...shit looks like I'll be working on pull ups.

Anyways...the CFT! Involves running, carrying 30lb ammo cans and your fellow Marines. This I actually makes my knees shake in fear.

The Army's PFT is "second hardest PFT next to the Corps". With a 2 mile run, push ups, and sit ups. I can't conquer the run time yet. And I don't expect to until the end of the month. Sit ups I past, barely...FULL sit ups. Push ups I'm eh. Needless to see I need improvements all around. If I'm going to join I might as well Ace everything!

I thought I was in shape before but when I first started heavy training and I could barely put out 5 push ups it really makes one put their own fitness level in perspective. I can do 20 now. Shitty. But I can do it. Aiming for 40 good ones.

If I join the Army I'm most likely going to Fort Jackson, South Carolina. If I join the Marines it's South Carolina...so either way I'm going to a a swampy humid state in the summer time/early Autumn. Perfect.

Now what gets me is that in the Army basic training is that women and men are put together while in the Marines, women are trained separately. I'm all for equality but biologically speaking women, rarely, can meet and exceed physical strength of their fellow soldier/Marine. I was told the Army combined the genders as a way to promote equality. Eh. Personally I like the Marine Corps's way of keeping male and female recruits separate.

Army BCT
Surviving basic training  
Boot camp advice 
US Army Basic Training


Marine Boot Camp Survival
Surviving Marine boot camp
Marine Recruit Training

*EDIT*
Of course this pops in my email. I can't believe people ACTUALLY do those things. Geesh.

Yoga, Weight loss, and training schedule

I've been doing yoga for about a year consistently. I'm not the best at it and I can't hold Dancer Pose very long, oh a couple of seconds at best. But I enjoy it and it helps with joint pain and stabilisation. Having the knee injury I'm limited to the high levels of intensity of lifting. Which puts me behind schedule on muscle growth and where I want to be but such is life of contact sports. It's been close to a month since slamming my knee with all my weight plus the weight of another athlete on top of me and my knee is showing small improvements as the weeks fly by. Today I noticed during the Garland Pose my left knee no longer gave out in low squats! Triumph!

Yoga and strength training go hand in hand for me. Yoga provides the isometric strength that enhances and stablises my muscles and joints. As well as others I presume. I don't think they do yoga in boot camp/basic training. Shame. That would be amusing to see a bunch of recruits attempting the Half Moon/Sea Star pose. ha!

Yoga Journal
ABC of Yoga

Weightloss
This bit came from my Google alert. 10lbs in 10 days? Yeah that'll go right back on and then some. Even people with money can't educate themselves of healthy living.

Now I wouldn't mind losing 40lbs but...I don't have 40lbs of extra fat on me and if I did I'm sure that when I lose all 40lbs of fat I'll end up in the hospital. But this question and response That's Fit provides a good answer to the cardio/weight training for weight loss. I don't mind doing cardio, I can easily go an hour, but in the long term it's more beneficial for me, joining the Army or Marines, just to strength time 5x a week.
Starting next week....technically today...err..tomorrow...I'll be starting a schedule heavy of strength training and limiting cardio to warm ups and run time tests.

Running

It's a well known fact that running is just about a damn near daily occurance no matter what branch of service you choose. Though some would argue you get out of it in AF but that digresses into a whole bunch of jokes and this service vs. that service.

It's well known that I hate to run. Hate it. A teammate of mine once said, "If God wanted us to run he wouldn't have invented the wheel. Suckers!" True, skating is a lot easier on the joints and a hell of a lot faster to boot. Running is relatively easy...it's just putting one foot in front of the other really fast. That is if you are in fantastic shape with no injuries. I'm not in such fantastic shape and I'm currently popping Motrin and icing my knees at this moment preparing for cardio. Yet, I'm envious of people who can do six minute miles and three miles in twenty minutes. At this point my focus is getting the bare minimum in running and hoping my sit ups and push ups/flexed arm hang can get me through. And honestly...I'm at least 20 pounds of flabby fat over weight. That's drag weight. While 20lbs might not seem like a lot, it is on the knees. Extra 20lbs hitting the knees and ankles. It's tough.

So running for me started quite simply. I drudgingly put one foot in front of the other. Jogging. I can't sprint to save my live yet. If I were to ever get attacked, hopefully I'll be in a pair of roller skates and not Sauconys.

Runner's World

Running Planet - Learning How to Run

Learn to Run Faster - Army Study Guide

Map My Run

The Beginning

I don't know why and I don't know why I decided that NOW would be a good time to join the Army/Marines. I'll be 25 at the end of the month. There's a war going on. And my knees are shot to hell thanks to aggressive contact sports. And sports that aren't contact but I made into a contact sport. Sorry kickball.

So here follows a blog where I'll put my fingers to the keyboard about me getting into shape, learning about the Marine Corps/Army, my decision making process of which two branches to join, links to health articles and sites, and anything related to women in the military. Particularly Army or Marines.


Stats Now
Height: 5'2
Weight: 190
Body fat: 27%

Goal
Height: 5'9
Weight: 165
Body fat: 17%.....ish

I currently work out five to six times a week. My workouts include yoga, Pilates, cardio, and strength training.
I also have a bummed knee from a sports playing. Not kickball. Contusion. Nothing serious, hopefully. I can't afford an MRI as I'm still paying off the last one I got and the one before that....

I'm following a low GI (glycemic index) diet. Seems to be working well and I feel great. Veggies, lean proteins, and the inconvenience of lugging around a gallon jug of water.

And finally since I'm an idiot I decided to partake in the 10,000 Push Ups in a Month challenge. I finished up Day 2 and I have 570 push ups behind me. I'm hoping that by May 2nd my upper body will be in proportion of my lower body.

It's a Saturday night/Sunday morning, I presume I should make a good impression and get some sleep.

This goes without saying/writing BUT....if you don't have a sense of humour or don't enjoy the wonders of sarcasm...best you stop reading now.