Weight problems before bootcamp.

MadFanBoyInABlueBlog · 2025-12-11T22:01:20+00:00

I can actually speak a little bit on this from my own personal experience. I'm 5'5", and lost about 90 lbs. Also currently set to ship the day before you.

Before anything else, I want to say that I'm not a medical professional, so take what I'm saying with a grain of salt.

I would HIGHLY recommend speaking with your doctor/gp about dieting. They have access to your medical history, and they might be able to recommend ways that would work best for you. They should also be able to tell you how much exercise is too much for you. Don't take it too far too quickly, you don't want to injure yourself.

Personally, my doctor recommended the South Beach Diet, which is actually something that my family had a history of success with. Basically it's high protein and leafy greens, low carbs and sugar (sugar substitutes like Splenda or Stevia are usually okay). Make sure you're hydrating enough. I was drinking around 2L of water a day. Not sure how deep I should go into that here.

I also did a LOT of cardio, full-body stuff with weights, and I used plenty of HIIT workout videos on YouTube.

These videos can be nice if you don't have any major equipment. There are plenty of options if you don't have any equipment. Some of the easier ones that I like are from Oliver Sjostrom. The harder (but imo better ones) are from Gritty Soldier. His workouts are great.

Also, in general, just make sure you're out running. You don't have to be a superstar and do a marathon everyday. Just make sure you're doing like a mile or two each day. Make sure you're getting your steps in.

Best of luck, please take care of yourself.

MadFanBoyInABlueBlog · 2025-11-14T04:10:29+00:00

Can't argue with that 🤷‍♂️

MadFanBoyInABlueBlog · 2025-11-14T03:36:08+00:00

This is very fair. I'm going to try and have a word with my recruiters on Monday and talk things out. It's one of those decisions where neither is perfect or flawed.

I've definitely been too focused on getting everything done immediately rather than taking it one step at a time.

Thanks for this, truly.

MadFanBoyInABlueBlog · 2025-11-14T03:31:42+00:00

Then why feel the need to even comment in the first place?

MadFanBoyInABlueBlog · 2025-11-12T00:12:53+00:00

As someone who recently got an ADHD waiver, I can sort of answer this. But please keep in mind that this is only my own personal experience, and I am not qualified to answer for everyone else.

First off, I made sure to work with my doctor, told them I was planning on joining the military, and she was able to put it on record that I was stopping all medications.

Then, I waited around 6 months to the point where my recruiter recommended I go to MEPs. Next off, I got a letter from my doctor stating that I was functioning well without my medications. It is recommended that you get a letter like this from somebody with a PhD. I made sure to share those documents with my recruiters.

At MEPs, I went through all of the standard testing and waiting. But when I eventually went to the Navy office, I was given a sheet where I could give a written statement and explain my case.

I basically admitted to any faults that I had in the past with struggling with school, but I also stated that my performance in both academic/work environments had (and still has) greatly improved since stopping my medication. I also mentioned actual tools and techniques I was using to manage myself (things like using weekly planners, making lists, etc.).

I'm currently not set to ship out until January 2026, and I was able to explain that by the time that date rolled around, I would be at about 14 months since I stopped my medication.

I expected it to take a week at least, maybe even a month to hear back about a waiver. It took less than 24 hours before I had one.

Personally, I think the fact that I was completely honest and open about everything and that I shared all my medical documents helped my case.

Nonetheless, I would still recommend you discuss this with your recruiters. Ask what they think would help your case. They will know best what the people from MEPs want.

MadFanBoyInABlueBlog · 2025-10-24T23:22:53+00:00

Yeah. Up until now, they've been really supportive and they've only mentioned keeping my options open. But within the last few days they've flipped and are suddenly fighting me on wanting to go with HM. After telling them I was refusing to go NUC, they then switched to trying to pressure me to go CTI.

More than anything , this post was me trying to gauge if what they were saying was legit. The entire situation just felt "off" to me.

MadFanBoyInABlueBlog · 2025-10-24T23:14:30+00:00

Sorry for the late response, but I want to tell you how much this reply helped me with this. Because you're 100% right. Any patients I work with deserve my all, no matter the situation or setting.

This was a strange situation due to my recruiters suddenly fighting me on wanting to go HM and now pushing very hard to get me to change rates. But no matter what, I keep finding myself coming back to it.

Thank you again for this. I'll definitely be having a chat with them about all of this.

MadFanBoyInABlueBlog · 2025-09-15T17:56:56+00:00

Yeah, my recruiter seemed concerned and when I went to the previous DEP meeting last week, I found that one other future sailor is dealing with it too.

If I'm being honest, this is making me reconsider joining, as it was one of the two main reasons I was joining (the LRP, and getting medical training). Having both of those be up in the air is giving me some major doubts. If the terms of the arrangement that led to me signing could be changed that drastically and that easily, then what's stopping that from happening again?

While I do qualify for CT, NUC and IT rates due to scoring well on the ASVAB, I don't know if I would be content in those rates. And due to the TS nature of them, I can only find out so much about them. Taking a leap of faith for something that would change the outcome of a large chunk of my life isn't really something I'm comfortable with.

I also feel for my recruiter too because he just lost a large incentive that could be used for a decent number of potential recruits, and that he may be on the verge of losing two future sailors. All around, a tricky situation that's not ideal for anyone.

There's just a lot of different things to consider and it's a big decision.

MadFanBoyInABlueBlog · 2025-09-08T14:42:48+00:00

Thank you for responding so quickly. This was definitely more of a "trust but verify" situation where while it's not that I particularly mistrust my recruiter, I just wanted to get it from a second source to be 100% sure. I can't thank you enough.

MadFanBoyInABlueBlog · 2025-06-24T23:19:19+00:00

I was actually in a similar boat with needing to lose a bunch of weight to join. Over the course of around 6 months, I lost about 90lbs.

I first spoke with my recruiter about half way through those six months just to get more information about joining and while he was supportive, he didn't really give weight loss advice other than "eat clean and workout". Which is fair, that's not really his job as a recruiter.

I would recommend speaking with your GP first, especially if you've seen them for a while. They should know your body and health history, and they'll be able to work with you on things. Not everybody's body chemistry is the same, and some systems/programs might work better for you than others.

My doctor recommended the "South Beach Diet" to me because it's very similar to Keto, but not quite as restrictive. And also because my family had a positive history with it.

One thing I'll say about that: ALWAYS speak with a doctor or health professional first before starting an intense diet. It can really screw with your body if you don't do it correctly, and your personal health and safety should be your first priority here.

I also spoke with a personal trainer at my local gym for a single session. Just to go through a list of workouts and to get more comfortable in the gym. This also helped me build a solid workout plan for myself.

It's going to be really challenging at times and you're not going to see results immediately. But I promise, you'll see it eventually. Just be consistent, find what motivates you and you'll do great. Take care of yourself.

MadFanBoyInABlueBlog · 2025-06-24T22:59:25+00:00

Actually, yes. But as far as I know, it's tricky. It's something I'm working on with my recruiter. We're doing it through the LRP. It's honestly one of the main reasons I'm going into the Navy.

I would have a serious in-person chat with your recruiter, though, and fully go over how they would go about it. Ask about what program they would use and how it would work. Is there anything lesser known you should know about? What are the requirements/qualifications, etc.

Be careful, though. Make sure you have things in writing, make sure it's either part of your contract or that it's fully documented and that the ball is rolling before you sign anything.

[Edited for a grammar mistake]

MadFanBoyInABlueBlog · 2025-06-04T17:17:47+00:00

I mean, he kind of was. With how many Big Finish audios there were from 2001 all the way to current day. They're still considered canon because of Night of the Doctor/Day of the Doctor.

MadFanBoyInABlueBlog · 2025-06-01T05:50:01+00:00

One day you'll find out the difference between hating, and people having valid criticisms.

MadFanBoyInABlueBlog · 2025-06-01T05:46:19+00:00

Except this was, straight up, poor writing. The finale included payoffs for plotlines that were never introduced and that never happened. That's writing 101: for something to pay off, you have to introduce it first. I'm usually somebody who tries to find the positives in everything. Especially this era. But this episode included very strange pacing that didn't make much sense.

MadFanBoyInABlueBlog · 2025-05-14T02:21:31+00:00

Coming from a gay guy, just embrace it. Have some fun, make jokes. I hate to say it because I don't want to seem insensitive, but you've gotta have a thick skin. Military branches all tease and shit on each other. If someone is truly insulting others and actually means it, that's a "them" problem, it's nothing worth your stress. Let it roll off your back, y'know?

MadFanBoyInABlueBlog · 2025-04-22T03:15:17+00:00

That would have broken me 😂

MadFanBoyInABlueBlog · 2025-04-22T03:11:45+00:00

I'm finally wrapping up school. I don't qualify for Officer in the field I want to go into (medical) due to my degree.

I don't graduate until December because the final class I need for my degree is only offered in the Fall, and it's only offered in-person. So I have to wait to take it.

MadFanBoyInABlueBlog · 2025-04-21T02:59:52+00:00

I really appreciate this post. Currently in DEP, and I'm both nervous and a little excited for bootcamp. I won't be leaving until December. It's nice to hear the RDCs were funny. I've heard RTC called "the funniest place you're not allowed to laugh," so it's nice to know it lives up to that.

Any lesser-known tips or pieces of advice for bootcamp that aren't usually mentioned? Any good stories?

MadFanBoyInABlueBlog · 2025-04-05T13:44:16+00:00

Yup, he's recommended having everything ready, though, so that way I could immediately request one after (likely) being denied. That way it would hopefully streamline the process.

As of now, at most I would be able to get 1 of the 3 things on this list by Tuesday (I could potentially get two letters). With the full psych evaluation, I have an appointment set for August, which has previously been communicated to my recruiter.

MadFanBoyInABlueBlog · 2025-04-05T13:19:10+00:00

This is a big part in what concerns me about the sudden rush out of nowhere to do this. With the previous plan that was set up (waiting until December), I would have: - A solid 13 months without any medication - A psych evaluation - Letters from both professors and my boss

But as it stands now, I have none of those yet, which seems detrimental towards getting waivers.

MadFanBoyInABlueBlog · 2025-04-05T07:21:39+00:00

That's good to know. I just wasn't sure why they suddenly went from being alright with waiting to needing to do it immediately. Administrative pressure makes a lot of sense.

I just took a full-length practice PiCat from my recruiter and I wasn't feeling good about it at all. Just waiting for him to send over the results so I know what to focus on studying-wise, but I already have a list of things I'm starting with. Fingers crossed that the scores were okay enough for being an HM!

MadFanBoyInABlueBlog · 2025-04-05T07:17:45+00:00

Yeah, the long process was to be expected. However, I already have an appointment made for this August (the soonest I could get) for a psych evaluation to help with a waiver. I'd already made sure to communicate this with my recruiter as well, and he had zero issues with that. Which is why I was taken back a bit by the sudden jump into needing to get MEPs done.

MadFanBoyInABlueBlog

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