View Full Version : Fat Soldiers
http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/health/us-soldiers-turn-to-diet-pills-liposuction-to-meet-weight-standards-ncxdc-120810
US soldiers are going to extremes -- taking diet pills and laxatives, even starving themselves and getting liposuction -- in order to meet the military’s weight standards, the Army Times reported Monday.
“Liposuction saved my career -- laxatives and starvation before an [Army Physical Fitness Test] sustains my career,” an anonymous soldier told the weekly paper. “I for one can attest that soldiers are using liposuction, laxatives and starvation to meet height and weight standards. I did, do and still do.”
More than a third of uniformed men and women do not meet the Army’s weight standards, according to a 2009 military fitness report, and those officers are subjected to dreaded tape measurements to determine body fat percentage.
If soldiers exceed the body fat limits, they cannot earn leadership roles or promotions, the paper said. Officers can even lose their jobs if they do not shed a significant amount weight in two months -- a very real threat, considering about 24,000 soldiers were discharged between 1992 and 2007 for failure to meet weight standards, according to a report published in Military Medicine.
“I have been on a roller coaster of gains and losses for half my military career,” one lieutenant colonel told the Army Times. “I have considered lipo, and I have certainly starved myself, dieted on only bread and water, or other similar extreme diets to make weight or tape ... And it is no secret to any leader in the military what some soldiers will do to conform to standards that have been set.”
Another soldier based at Fort Riley in Kansas told the paper she recently saw an advertisement for liposuction at the post gym. The Army Times also found ads for the cosmetic procedure in base newspapers at Fort Hood, Tex., Fort Benning, Ga., and Fort Campbell, Ky.
Meanwhile, military leaders and doctors continued to warn against the risks of unhealthy weight loss methods.
“I don’t think we have a clear understanding how widespread this problem is,” Col. George Dilly, Medical Command’s chief dietitian, told the paper, bemoaning the lack of empirical data about extreme dieting and cosmetic surgery among soldiers.
“Soldiers are hiding the fact they are doing this because they don’t want the problem exposed,” he added.
“We want soldiers to look right,” Dr. Thomas Williams, a retired colonel who leads the Army Physical Fitness Research Institute, told the Army Times. “But they also need to feel right and perform right, and you can’t get that from a pill or a procedure.”
Surgicalcric
12-08-2010, 08:30
Diet and exercise....
Crip
1stindoor
12-08-2010, 08:31
This is nothing new...been going on every since we started taping Soldiers. Diet pills, diuretics, saunas, etc....nothing new, we just added surgery to the mix.
I found it ironic though that they list doctor's concerns considering how many fat, out of shape, doctors, surgeons, dentists, etc. I've seen over the years....and as a "fat" senior NCO, I've seen the same hyprocracy in the senior leader ranks.
Masochist
12-08-2010, 11:43
This is nothing new...been going on every since we started taping Soldiers. Diet pills, diuretics, saunas, etc....nothing new, we just added surgery to the mix.
I found it ironic though that they list doctor's concerns considering how many fat, out of shape, doctors, surgeons, dentists, etc. I've seen over the years....and as a "fat" senior NCO, I've seen the same hyprocracy in the senior leader ranks.
And it sets the example for those just starting their careers. If you're overweight, do you go to an obese trainer? If you have high blood pressure, do you go to a doctor who can't manage his/hers?
You can't help others until you help yourself.
More than a third of uniformed men and women do not meet the Army’s weight standards, according to a 2009 military fitness report, and those officers are subjected to dreaded tape measurements to determine body fat percentage.
Funny, aprox 1/3 of America is in the same boat. I guess the armed forces are nothing more than a cross section of the American culture, hot pockets, tweekers, gamers, etc.
Masochist
12-08-2010, 12:59
I never got the "fat test" standard. Some people do not meet the ht/wt standards but are NOT fat just lots of muscle. If a soldier can pass the PT test why does the Army worry about how much they weigh in relation to their height? The way the standard stands if a soldier has a 300 pt score but fails the tape test they are flagged and are subject to being discharged. :confused:
The "tape test" has been proven to be one of the least acturate measurements of how overweight a person is, when compared to DEXA/NIR, water displacement, calipers, etc. However, it is a cheap and easy method that can be performed by just about anyone just about anywhere you have a .49 cent measuring tape. In Oct 06, the Army revised the tape test with regards to tape sites, particularly with females, so it's a start. With the potential advent of a new PT test, maybe we'll see further advancement in the tape test. :munchin
mark46th
12-08-2010, 14:20
The Army serves a carbohydrate heavy diet in the mess hall then wonders why soldiers are over weight? FWIW- Losing weight is all about caloric intake. I lost 80 pounds last year. It was all about daily calories. I had no exercise plan, I was on a 1000 calorie a day diet, losing 80 pounds in 16 weeks. I now weigh 2.5 pounds less than I did a year ago. Calories, calories, calories.
This is nothing new...been going on every since we started taping Soldiers. Diet pills, diuretics, saunas, etc....nothing new, we just added surgery to the mix.
I found it ironic though that they list doctor's concerns considering how many fat, out of shape, doctors, surgeons, dentists, etc. I've seen over the years....and as a "fat" senior NCO, I've seen the same hyprocracy in the senior leader ranks.
Amen....
There was a time in one Major Subordinate Command which will remain anonymous, where we basically had three unofficial categories; those within H/W standards (the vast majority), those who were outside the standards and therefore pushed to improve, and those who were outside yet "above" the H/W standards and not held to the standard. When we tried to reel them in, we got nowhere fast.
Ultimately, the PT program belongs to the commander and apparently, though he did try, he couldn't push his concerns upon "some"of the higher ranking personnel in his company with success. Some of us bitched about this double standard but were shot down. Appearently, one must choose his battles wisely sometimes and choose carefully upon which confrontation one decides to fall on their sword over. I think the company commander ultimately chose wisely under that specific environment....jd
Masochist
12-08-2010, 14:53
The Army serves a carbohydrate heavy diet in the mess hall then wonders why soldiers are over weight? FWIW- Losing weight is all about caloric intake. I lost 80 pounds last year. It was all about daily calories. I had no exercise plan, I was on a 1000 calorie a day diet, losing 80 pounds in 16 weeks. I now weigh 2.5 pounds less than I did a year ago. Calories, calories, calories.
Congrats on the weight loss. 80 lbs.? 20 lbs./month? Wow. :lifter
On a very basic level, it's that simple: if calories taken in < calories expended, then you will lose weight.
1stindoor
12-08-2010, 15:11
With all the activity in the Army I do not see how one can become fat if they push themselves in the manner that they are supposed to. I was about 5% bodyfat when I served..
Really...5%? Were you a professional bodybuilder and kept yourself in a nearly dehydrated state?
EX-Gold Falcon
12-08-2010, 15:54
I caannot help but wonder if this might be an MOS, age and current duty station issue.
As an earlier twenties young buck abn infman in the 82nd, keeping the weight on was more a problem then worring about being overweight. At the time I weighed in around 165-170 and 5 8', with a size 32 waist and VERY little fat. Between PT and going out in the field, I seem to remember being hungry all the time. Heck, one week in the field guarrented losing 5-7 pounds. More then a week and it would begin to fall even faster.
Now pick up a copy of Time/Newsweek/NY Times, etc and if there are any pics of servicemembers downrange in Iraq or Afghan. Fat or overweight can rarely be used to describe them. They all have that thin, wiry almost gaunt look about them. Combat thins a man (and woman!) down faster then meth.
Yeah, I'm guessing this is more of an MOS and age issue.
T.
I caannot help but wonder if this might be an MOS, age and current duty station issue.
T.
And service...
Though we have our share, Air Force and Navy are going to be our biggest violaters as a percentage of the entire force. If you've ever been to a joint command I'm sure you've seen the evidence....jd
I worked out most of my spare time. I ate very clean. I was a 158lbs and I could bench press 360lbs. I'm not kidding.
Answer your cellphone, Bro; the UFC is trying to get up with you...
:D
Seriously, as 1stindoor inferred, the fatboy program's been around since soldiers stopped having to forage.
We had a medic in the 80's who was an habitual violator and had to cut 40-50 pounds off with furosemide EVERY weigh-in. Very bad for you.
He told me his whole family had the same problem, e.g. if they peeked in the icebox for a snack and saw a pie, they'd eat the whole pie.
Outstanding medic, but I think he finally got fatboy'd out.
Masochist
12-08-2010, 16:55
He told me his whole family had the same problem, e.g. if they peeked in the icebox for a snack and saw a pie, they'd eat the whole pie.
Addictions come in all shapes and sizes. Growing up around fellow addicts doesn't help the situation. But you have two choices: fight it or let it consume you. Just because you get knocked down during the first round doesn't mean you're destined to lose the fight. Is it a little harder? Yes. Impossible? No. It's depressing to see otherwise wonderful and successful people succumb to addictions they could conceivably overcome.
I knew 'fat' solders who could not perform and 'fat' soldiers who struggled with the Ht/Wt/PT standards but could put on a 120# of equipment and walk you @$$ in the ground in the mountains, swamps, etc.
I also knew soldiers who looked extremely fit and had high PT scores but were worn out after a few days in the woods humping that ruck.
Looks ain't everything when it comes to performance.
Richard :munchin
x SF med
12-09-2010, 10:29
Even though I've been out for a good while, my weight hasn't 'balloned' - I got out at 175#, I'm currently ~190, and the highest I ever got was 215.
I haven't had a BMI done in a while, but I've seen photos of young soldiers who should be kicked in the head because they make the uniform look like crap.
I remember being involved in some stuff at Natick, and they did hydrostatic testing for BMI, the doctors thought there was something wrong since all the participants (SF) were in the 8-12% range at the beginning. There wasn't a lot of change in total after - but there were 2 groups, one went up slightly, one went down...
Training for the Rocky Raccoon run keeps my lard volume below "obese", at least.
(My Daisy's got a wii.)
chemical cookie
12-09-2010, 12:01
Diet and exercise....
Crip
What are these diet and exercise you speak of? :lifter
What are these diet and exercise you speak of? :lifter
Go here... http://professionalsoldiers.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=87
Anything in this thread will kick your butt... :D
:lifter
Answer your cellphone, Bro; the UFC is trying to get up with you...
:D
Seriously, as 1stindoor inferred, the fatboy program's been around since soldiers stopped having to forage.
We had a medic in the 80's who was an habitual violator and had to cut 40-50 pounds off with furosemide EVERY weigh-in. Very bad for you.
He told me his whole family had the same problem, e.g. if they peeked in the icebox for a snack and saw a pie, they'd eat the whole pie.
Outstanding medic, but I think he finally got fatboy'd out.
Had a fat boy medic also, but he always scored high on the APFT, 280 or better. He could swim endlessly, bench press a cow, and ruck you into the ground. Thinking about it, his legs were out of proportion to the rest of him. For someone with giant hands he could perform the finest tasks of dexterity.
Hated to see him go,....
to Medical School!
And service...
Though we have our share, Air Force and Navy are going to be our biggest violaters as a percentage of the entire force. If you've ever been to a joint command I'm sure you've seen the evidence....jd
Service is irrelevant in today's joint fight. There are those who pull triggers and hump up mountains and those who do not.
MackallResident
12-09-2010, 15:07
I agree with the above post. Of course I can do a quick two mile, and pushups/situps, but that doesn't tell me shit about how physically fit I am, or any Soldiers around me.
Now if we do a ton of core-focused exercises and then go for a run, and throughout the rest of the week, continue to endure both cardiovascular bouts, and humping heavy stuff around for the rest of said week, the ones standing at the end still going strong, or at least still going, are the ones that are more than likely in great over all shape. Just my opinion though.
Now, as far as FAT Soldiers are concerned, that aggravates me. It hits on a personal note with me because I had to lose a little over 100lbs in order to join the Army. I was huge before, and I learned that all you need to do push back from the table, do extra PT, DO PT, DO MORE PT, and don't complain about some genetic mumbo jumbo. There are a lot of lard asses in my family, and they all overeat, so I could possibly call it genetic, or I could just say that they make bad health choices by being obese and eating unhealthy foods.
You don't put 87 octane in a Ferrari, nor do you take it to get groceries. SO why the hell would anyone only put shit-food in their bodies, and never go outside, or at least to a gym and work out? And if you are a Soldier, then that is even more reason to be in great shape. I don't give a damn how you look, but by God, if you are a medic on the ground, trying to load my(future) aircraft with patients, and you are fat and out of shape, you put everything at risk.
I feel that a lot of folks do not look at it like that. The ones that sandbag during PT, or fall out of ruck march because there are no perceived repercussions. THERE ARE ALWAYS REPERCUSSIONS, we just have to instill the fight in our Soldiers so that on the battlefield, they are giving 200% at all times, not for themselves, but to the men and women on their left and right! It is about them, not me!
As far as the NCO's go, I feel that most give a good try to keep their squads in shape, but now that I am new to the Officer community, no one does it for you. I have seen so many fat young warrant officers running around here it is ridiculous. I am not saying that I don't often enjoy an unhealthy amount of beer, but I ensure that I absolutely destroy myself at PT every freaking day so that I am always ready to go.
Man, I could go on forever, but I know that I am probably preaching to the choir here, so I guess I will /rant.
GrumpyMedic
12-09-2010, 15:34
Has/does anyone else suffer from decreased metabolism after having been to hooah high? I went to Ranger School at a lean 170 lbs and graduated at 148 lbs back in '01.
To this day I still carry an extra 10-15 lbs around my middle and struggle to make weight. I've tried all kinds of diets (paleo, ect.). The only time I don't have a problem is when I increase cardio to an insane amount, running 50+ miles a week.
Masochist
12-09-2010, 16:26
IMO I'd think the Army PT test is poor indicator of how well one can perform physically as a soldier. Being able to do lots of pushups, situps, and a fast two-mile run means you are skilled in one area of physical fitness (endurance, cardiovascular and muscular).
You could be able to do loads of pushups, pullups, situps, flutter kicks, a fast run, and so forth, that doesn't mean you'll at all be capable of say having to lift very heavy objects and carry them or hump a heavy ruck.
Then you get the guys who are BIG, where if they tried to do things like pullups or pushups even, and situps, etc...they'd flounder completely, but they can do things like lift extremely heavy objects all day long and hump a heavy ruck pretty well.
To be truly fit, one should strive for a decent capability in both.
Systems such as the Ranger Athlete Warrior (https://www.benning.army.mil/75thranger/content/physical.htm) program are starting to address things like this. 3rd Bat brought in a well-known powerlifter to help address the large numbers of Rangers physically breaking down from training and combat.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0801/is_13_71/ai_n56406753/
How long until we see this Army-wide, with a drastic change in how we gauge soldiers' fitness levels is to be seen. PT is already changing from PU/SU/run, run, run to more combat-related exercises. It's a matter of finding tests that are cost effective and easy to implement (much the same argument with the tape test).
Masochist
12-09-2010, 16:30
Eat five small meals a day. No more than 35 grams of carbs per meal. You will lose 2lbs a week this way. I lost 54lbs last year doing this.
A very effective way to regulate weight as well as energy levels (especially if you have blood sugar issues). Simply spacing out your total caloric intake throughout the day keeps your blood sugar levels stationary (preventing that afternoon or late day crash) and keeps your body satiated. It doesn't go into survival mode that causes it to hang onto food like it's never going to see it again (slowing your metabolism drastically).
...The only time I don't have a problem is when I increase cardio to an insane amount, running 50+ miles a week.
There's the answer....
Masochist
12-09-2010, 17:51
Another thing to also watch is the kinds of carbs you take in.
+1
This link isn't working.
Works fine from here. :confused:
I find it very interesting how he focused on the lower-back and hamstrings, as those are some of the prime areas people (in general) ignore. Keeping the whole backside strong (back, lower back, and hamstrings) can go a long way towards preventing injuries.
This caught me by surprise as well, in a good way. And a reason I found validity in it and looked into it further. So many people focus on the (front) shoulders, chest, abs and quads, causing muscle imbalance and high potential for injury. Paraphrasing what someone on here once said, if you're inclined to do biceps at the gym, do legs twice. You're not going to be asked to curl your rucksack.
Eat five small meals a day. No more than 35 grams of carbs per meal. You will lose 2lbs a week this way. I lost 54lbs last year doing this.
That's outstanding advice.
Optimize you protein intake as well; I think some people get way too much...
Surgicalcric
12-09-2010, 21:33
Eat five small meals a day. No more than 35 grams of carbs per meal. You will lose 2lbs a week this way. I lost 54lbs last year doing this.
5 meals a day...not for this guy.
I will stick with my one meal a day thank you... (Warrior Diet)
Crip
500 Proof
12-09-2010, 22:34
Has/does anyone else suffer from decreased metabolism after having been to hooah high? I went to Ranger School at a lean 170 lbs and graduated at 148 lbs back in '01.
To this day I still carry an extra 10-15 lbs around my middle and struggle to make weight. I've tried all kinds of diets (paleo, ect.). The only time I don't have a problem is when I increase cardio to an insane amount, running 50+ miles a week.
You ever heard of hill sprints? I remember reading somewhere that sprinting up a large steep hill four or five times in a row can speed up your metabolism for the rest of the day.
Masochist
12-09-2010, 22:41
I get a "There is a problem with this website's security certificate."
What browser are you using?
It's a military site, and mother Army uses its own certificates as opposed to standard civilian ones. Tends to cause havoc if you don't have your browser set to accept them. Last time I re-installed my OS (and all accompanying software), my browsers kept telling me AKO et all were potential forgeries. :rolleyes:
If it gives you the option to accept the certificate when you get that message, accept it (https .mil site = good to go). Otherwise, let me know what browser you're using and I'll let you know how to make it play nice.
There is no way that is healthy.
The "Warrior Diet's" been around for years, and it's for people who have to be "pre-peaking" physically at all times, e.g. ready for intense combat.
A good idea for a soldier, I'm sure you'll agree...
Here's the concept:
http://www.cbass.com/warrior_diet.htm
Ori Hofmekler is a very lean and fit former columnist for Penthouse magazine, a world-renown artist (his paintings are best known for their political satire), and the founder and Editor-In-Chief of the men’s health and fitness magazine Mind & Muscle Power. He eats three square meals a day – all in the evening at one sitting. He calls it the "Warrior Diet," and he’s convinced that most of us, men and women, would be better off eating the same way. He also offers a line of Warrior supplements.Snip
This study (as do several others) takes the "frequency" angle:
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/research-review/meal-frequency-and-energy-balance-research-review.html
The conclusion I come to is this: Based on individual records (say, bodybuilders v. General McChrystal) and results from either system, they both obviously work; eating 5 meals a day won't predispose you to bingeing as easily as fasting 'til the night (I've done both-one meal at night due to circumstance and necessity a la patrolling); I never get out of my hunger "comfort zone" when I eat several during the day. (And, I don't get fatter.)
I glean from everything I've read (linked thru google) that it doesn't really matter when you ingest the chow, just that it's in the right amount and nutritional makeup.
So, if I'm getting the same results whether 5 meals or 1, and 5's easier to do, guess which one the Dustmeister's gonna stick with?:D
That's just me, though...
1stindoor
12-10-2010, 08:06
I had a team sergeant once who told me that the most effective form of PT is one that'll let you outrun the guy you can't beat up...and beat up the guy that you can't outrun.
There's a lot of truth there too.
Surgicalcric
12-10-2010, 08:34
Should have said I only eat cooked or processed food once a day, at night.
I do this as much as possible anyhow... It is rather difficult at times with deployments, training, courses, etc. Chick-fil-a is too easy...
There is no way that is healthy.
Plenty healthy.... I have never felt better, I don't feel like napping in the middle of the day, have plenty of energy, and am as strong as ever... I still hate running though...
Want to know more:
Warrior Diet-Ori Hofmekler
ISBN-10: 1583942009
AngelsSix
12-12-2010, 22:32
I had a team sergeant once who told me that the most effective form of PT is one that'll let you outrun the guy you can't beat up...and beat up the guy that you can't outrun.
There's a lot of truth there too.
Or you can just carry a good gun and be good with said gun, like me...:D
1stindoor
12-13-2010, 07:29
Or you can just carry a good gun and be good with said gun, like me...:D
There's a lot of truth in that statement as well.