I just wanted to somewhere to say this and you guys are the ones I think would care the most. I always wanted to join the military, but I'm too fat. I can't make tape or do the PT test. Two weeks ago I hit the gym and talk to a recruiter to set a plan for where I need to be in order to join the guard.
After two weeks of hitting the gym, and an average daily calorie deficit of almost 2,000 calories, I weighed myself yesterday and I gained .2 pounds. I'm a pretty confident person, but I was heartbroken. How could I have gained weight when I'm eating barely nothing and working my ass off? I didn't go the gym yesterday. I was crushed.
This morning I woke up with new resolve. I hit the gym immediately after work, got my best time yet on the 2mile run (31:16 ain't great, but we'll get there.) , switched to interval running, and today will be my most calories burned in one day and biggest caloric deficit so far. After the gym today I realized, if I'm motivated and emotionally strong enough to go to the gym today after working my ass off for two weeks and gaining weight, then there's nothing really standing in my way.
So, my target is Mid to Late October to make tape, and hopefully bootcamp just after the first of the year.
Here's the thing.
You don't want to lose weight.
You want to lose FAT.
The way I lose fat is Fasted Cardio + High Intensity Interval Training.
The most convenient time to enter a "fasted state" (where your body begins to burn fat for energy) is after a full night's sleep, but before you eat breakfast.
High Intensity Interval Training helps you burn more fat than normal cardio. Basically: 1 minute of sprinting then 1 minute of running over and over, I personally like to do jumprope.
Watch this video:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oXJ5tAdcOyE
If you're interested in gaining strength too.
I'd suggest the big 3 Compound Lifts (Muscle Group Lifts).
-Deadlift
-Bench Press
-Squat
Compound Lifts are powerful lifts because multiple muscles are working together to lift a heavy weight. The heavier the weight you lift, the stronger you will become.
I'm also suggesting the big 3 Compound Lifts because you have a deadline.
If you decide to do these lifts, hire a coach/trainer to make sure you do it safely.
Oh and buy/use a weight lifting belt to protect your back.
Eat a lot of carbs and protein.
Carbs gives you energy for workouts but also for muscle building.
Protein helps with muscle growth.
Bonus:
Carbs and Protein force your body to work harder to digest/breakdown.
Compared to Fat and Junk Food, which the body easily absorbs, and then simply stores as reserve energy for later aka "Fat."
Make sure you get a lot of sleep/rest.