Ok, so heres the deal this fall I start of my career with the Army as an uncontracted ROTC Cadet at the University of Toledo but I need some help. I'm 6'0" and 260lbs so I need to drop about 60lbs. Also I can't run period, by half a mile I feel like I'm going to die so I need some tips on how to increase my running ability. My cadre says that I don't have to meet PT or weight requirements until the start of my junior year or when I want to be contracted. I would like to be able to run at least a mile and a half easily by the end of August so I can do platoon PT. Please give me some tips/advice based on your personal experiences. I was told boxing is even better cardio than running, is that true? Thanks for all your help, HOORAH!!

I've never heard of boxing as being better than running, for cardio. But if it works, go for it. We ran five days a week, some days only a couple of miles, the others up to six. Yup, we'd be gone for an hour. One thing I do know that's good for cardio is training on an eliptical machine. Every few minutes, go maximum speed for a minute. Many people you see will give you advice, but take everthing with a grain of salt especially if they themselves don't commit to something. For instance, a person who runs for a few minutes. Who's opinion do you think is more on target, the guy who runs for an hour, or the guy who runs for five minutes. Also, 1)don't forget to drink water. About every ten-fifteen minutes is good. 2)Stretch before and especially after.
Since you have plenty of time to condition, don't be too concerned about running the full two miles yet. Fast walking is beneficial too. As you shed the pounds, the cadre will notice and see how commited you are. Once you sign the contract, I hope that you will push on for Airborne. The MS-IVs might give you underclassmen a lot of krap, but that's just the cycle. And oh, you'll be doing a lot of pushups. I say do a few pushups during breaks (study, TV, etc.). Situps too.

SD- You need to incorporate a well-balanced eating plan in combination with regular daily physicial activity. Start slowly and work your way up.. There are many "quick fix" books, slimmin plans, pills etc. promising fast, easy weight loss. Unfortunately, there are no quick fixes. fad diets and gimmicks promising quick weight loss are unbalanced. They can lead to poor, not better, health and most of the weight lost in regained within a year. Be patient!

Try interval exercise. It's a combination of intense and less intense exercise. Interval exercise benefits the heart and cardiovascular system as well as, if not better than, nonstop exercise.. Interval exercise consists of intense exercise for a short time followed by exercise at a greatly reduced level. For example, you run hard for one iminute and then walk for three minutes . You continue this cycle of running and walking for as long as as you can, ideally for 30 to 60 minutes. You won't be able to do that lenght of time when you start, but that's the eventual goal.


Seek your doctors approval first, to rule out any underlining health and heart problems.

Good luck..

1. Like Pipedreams said, see your doctor first.

2. There are a lot of diet programs out there. Choose one that teaches you to make more intelligent choices based on what you will find in your supermarkets, resturants, etc. Stay away from supplements - most of them are garbage. I went from 252 lbs to 180 lbs. in six months back in 2006 - kept it off since then. If a Sailor in his mid-50's can do it you should have no problem. No special tricks - just learned to make smarter choices regarding what/how much I ate.

As you shed the pounds you'll find doing PT becomes easier and easier, especially the running. Just remember shedding the weight is the easy part - the hard part is keeping it off.

3. As for running programs, go to Runners'World online - they have some programs designed to help those new to running to get going. I recall even seeing one article that was about the Army PT program.

4. Is there a Command Fitness Leader for your ROTC unit? If so, they should be able to assist you with a training program.

Good luck, and remember there are no shortcuts.

They above two posts are right, it could be a year or two before your ROTC unit sends you into the MEPS center for a physical. It is important for your physician to determine if your heart can take the rigors. Also stuff that we don't think about - lung function, bones and joints, etc.

GO ROCKETS!!!! I'm proud to say that I went to UT. Now the cadre may say that you don't have to meet PT requirements but when I went there you still did PT with your unit and part of that PT was running in the mornings (they would wake me up). There is a trail that goes from the campus across from the Law School that goes about 3 miles down and they would run on that once a week. If you can't run now I suggest speed walking. Goes fast and slow down then speed up and repeat the cycle. The main bunch from the unit would be way ahead of the rest but I can't imagine it would be any fun to be the last person back to campus.

Good luck!!!

Polarbeargirl -

Were these formation runs or just loosely-knit groups broken down by pace, etc.?

My reason for asking was when I used to do formation runs (yes, Navy does do them) we only went as fast as the slowest person, and then if someone dropped out we circled them until we knew if they were OK or ? Seems odd that a military unit would leave a straggler.

Loosely knit groups. This was about 10 years ago though. Damn... I just aged myself.

start off slowly.

if you can't run, you can't box. to box you have to hit and move, and it doen't sound like you can move too well, so you may take a beating.

try walking or biking to start. walk 3-4 miles a day every day. you have to get your heart and lungs used to activity. they are muscles too and need to be exercised as well.you can build them up by walking.

start watching what you eat and drink. eliminate soda, fruit juices (mostly sugar or corn syrup)and alchohol (in excess)

trade out all your white starches for brown starches. (bread & rice) opt for brown rice and wheat bread.

eat 5 fruits and veggies a day.

eliminate excess salt. don't put salt on your food. it has enough sodium already.

same goes for butter. it's just liquid fat. if you must have it, use spray butter. (i can't believe it's not butter is a good alternative)

no more potatoes either. they just sit on you.

lift weights at least 3 times a week and include squats, lunges, and leg curls to build up the muscles you'll need to run.

after a month or so you should be ready to start running. start by running a mile. do this 3-4 times per week. then work your way up adding by adding 1/4 to 1/2 mile a week. once you get up to 6 miles start ocusing on time.

by this time next year you'll easliy be able to run 5-6 miles.

good luck to you.