So just recently I've made the decision to enlist in the US Coast Guard. I have yet to speak to a recruiter, but I think I want to go next fall. I am about 40-50 lbs overweight. I know that before I go to boot camp I will be required to get most of the weight off. The problem is...how? I've tried low carb dieting coutless times and I usually do really well for the first couple weeks then I get very very sick of the food and give up. I like the diet because I am a chronic binger and counting calories seems even harder! I also need to develop some kind of exercise program for myself, if I don't prepare beforehand I will probably die! Has anybody been through this before or does anyone want to just throw some ideas out there? Should I get a gym membership? I don't know where to begin!?

I have tried just about every diet out there and so far only two have worked for me for longer than a few weeks. Calorie counting and Weight watchers. Both have worked, but I've enjoyed weight watchers the most because it's a little more flexible when it comes to eating out and having treats. I've lost almost 30 pounds on weight watchers in 10 weeks!

Hi, I am a former military member (USAF). The advice I would give is GET IN SHAPE. I am serious. DO NOT GO TO BASIC TRAINING UNLESS YOU ARE IN SHAPE. Otherwise, it will all but kill you. I was in shape when I went to boot camp many years ago and it still almost killed me. Look up and see what the physical standards are for the coast guard (particularly basic training), i.e. how many miles you have to run and in what length of time, how many push-ups, sit-ups, etc. Also, keep in mind that boot camp is really hard and it is psychological as well as physical. I would not even attempt to sign up for it unless I were in shape. It is a real eye-opening experience but it was one of the best decisions of my life. If I had it to do over, I probably would have gone into the Coast Guard.

Bottom line: if you exercise and get in shape, the weight should come off on its own.

Good blessings to you.

DITTO the advice about getting in shape BEFORE you join. Don't just lose the weight but build up your stamina too. There is LOTS and LOTS of heavy marching and running in formation with your company.

When I was in boot camp I was young and in shape and it was hard then and I had been doing heavy construction for years when I joined.

There were days when the company commander seemed like he woke up on the wrong side of the bed and we got to do pushups out in the hot sun all afternoon! Besides the marching and walking we had to do a LOT of swimming too because if you are going to be on a ship it might sink one day and you HAVE to know how to not only swim but stay afloat.

I remember towards the end we were thrown in a pool and we were told we had to tread water and stay afloat for 20 minutes without touching the sides or bottom. MAN I about died! LOL! I was STRUGGLING the only thing sticking out of the water was my nose I almost drowned! LOL!

Also the very last thing I had to do (we ALL had to do it) was run in formation as a company for 3 miles. This is a lot harder than it seems because you can't run at YOUR pace you HAVE to keep up with the company.

When I was in if you couldn't do this they wouldn't let you pass Boot Camp and you had to start out all over again in another company. If you failed again they would send you home.

I don't mean to scare you. MOST people make it through. Lose the weight and build your wind up and you can make it.

And as the other poster said what is working for me is counting calories and attending Weight Watchers, I am doing both and also I take Alli. So far I am losing!

good luck!

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Wow guys, thanks for all the comments and advice! It's great to talk to you that have gone through this before. I have to admit I'm a little scared but the better I prepare the easier it will be. I'm determined to be in the best shape possible when I arrive at Camp May.