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Fighting to get the Military in Shape
The military is consulting with Tony Horton, who is building a “functional fitness” program to help reverse the obesity trend, reports NPc’s online magazine. Tony Horton, P90X fitness trainer guru, is reported to be currently working on a mufti-dimensional approach to military fitness which will involve elements of the “X” (short talk for P90X to those not in the know); this system will involve muscle confusion that includes cardio, weight training and his much-loved yoga.
I had read many stories about how our nations downward spiral towards obesity, this has impacted our nations military in a negative fashion. Not only are our nations enrollees too obese to enlist but, if you saw season 10 of the Biggest Loser, you witnessed some horrid nutrition being fed to the soldiers that did make it through the enlistment requirements. After a full day of working out, boot camp style for lean and healthy solders, they then are faced with an artery clogging heart attack worthy buffet line. I do hope that the military also takes some nutrition tip from the X man and then the steps to revamp the military nutritional plan as well as their fitness training regime. If the military experiences the same success as the dedicated users of the P90X program then our military will soon be a force ready to take on their adversary without pause.
If you are thinking about the military and want to get in shape to ensure you will have “what it takes” to “Bring It” Tony Horton style then click here for your own P90X program..
You can see the various opinions on the state of our future enlistees here by reading:
NPR’s: To Fat to Fight: Obesity Threatens Military Recruiting, that posts facts like these:
During World War II, at least 40 percent of potential military recruits were undernourished. So after the war, military leaders helped convince Congress to pass the National School Lunch Program to make subsidized meals part of kids’ nutritional curriculum.
And, maybe partly as a result, today’s soldiers are an inch-and-a-half taller on average.
But now the military has the opposite problem, young people are getting too much nutrition. A growing number of potential recruits are “too fat to fight.”
Science Daily’s: Climbing Obesity Rates Threaten U.S. National Security by Hampering Military Recruitment
Almost one in four applicants to the military are rejected for being overweight or obese — it’s the most common reason for medical disqualification,”John Cawley, associate professor of policy analysis and management said. “With an active war in Afghanistan and continuing operations in Iraq, it is well-known that the military is struggling to recruit and retain soldiers. Having a smaller pool of men and women who are fit enough to serve adds to the strain and creates even more problems for national defense.
If you are thinking about the military and want to get in shape to ensure you will have what it takes to “Bring It” Tony Horton style then click here for your own P90X program.
There's always people mentioning obesity, but it's always down to a lack of exercise and healthy eating, it's a complete turn around from the section where you mention the lack of food during WW2 compared to now, maybe people are eating too much to counter balance something not just right in their lives!
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In a recent conversation with my mother she recalled her youth when it was common to eat a few vegetables along with a small potato for dinner. On Saturday the matriarch of the family would cull a chicken so that they would have the nice "Sunday" dinner that included roast chicken.
Not only are people eating more but they are eating more processed foods that have a higher caloric value all while having less physical activity on a daily basis. I agree with the thought you have regarding eating to counter balance something not quite right, many people eat to self medicate themselves.
Before I joined the service I used P90X to get ready for BCT. But the Drill Sergeant’s still get you. Lol. But it’s a good approach to over all fitness. ALso, the regular Army PT (PRT) just needs to be enforced and the Soldier’s do have a way to eat pretty healthy in the DFAC on post. But most of it is choice. If you are a Soldier you know what it takes to stay combat ready and it’s part of your job to stay ready.
The folks over the General Sarge site (who support military children) were telling me that a lot of recruits are not passing basic training these days due to weight issues or just lack of physical fitness. We tried to get the local recruiting office to set up a program using P90X for the new recruits but it didn’t take off on that area.. too bad..
That’s a little bit sad but you know recruiters try to get people in the Military and if you are very overweight they might not have the time to work with you. Always think about this: if the economy is bad a lot of people want to join the service due to the great benefits you get there. As a recruiter you can be selective who you work with. Back during the Iraq war that would have been different because many people didn’t want to join. If you don’t meet the height and weight standard, they will perform a tape test to measure your body fat %. If you fail that you can still join if a waiver gets signed for you. But waivers come and go and it just depends on the recruiting demands. I just talked to a friend of mine yesterday who joined just like that. After Basic Training and his MOS training he is thin now. Believe me, even I lost a lot of weight during basic training. It is a mental and physical challenge and candy is forbidden. The Drill Sergeants even watch what you eat and the Chow Hall…
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