Lose 48 pounds by January 31 or be Fired
11-21-2010, 05:32 PM
#1
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Lose 48 pounds by January 31 or be Fired
Lose 48 pounds in 70 days or be Fired! This is the ultimatum I am presently facing
As many of you know, I am a deployed US Army contractor in Iraq. On the 4th of November at 8pm, an email was sent out to all employees stating that all personnel on project over 1 year would be required to pass a physical or be demobilized (fired). A physical was a prerequisite for deploying, and I had no trouble passing 58 months ago. I was also required to pass a physical before returning to work following an injury in 2008. I have never had trouble passing any health requirement in the past, but there is a new addition to the physical, a BMI (body mass index) test. There will be no consideration given to body type, so those here that live in the Gym and have 3% body fat will be out on there *** just as fast as those that cant sit up from there chair with out being winded if they exceeded there BMI.
I knew I needed to drop some weight, and had planed on starting a diet / exercise routine on the 1st of November, but then the care package from my parents showed up, followed by the care package from my wife and 2 Hickory Farms summer sausage and cheese gift baskets. I was caught quite off guard when I received the email on the 4th, as there had been no warnings this was coming. I went to the gym and was shocked by the reading on the scale, also by the fact I am over ¼ of an inch shorter (injury to 3 discs). A quick check of the BMI calculator they provided revealed I had to lose 65 LB to meet my BMI requirements. My diet started on the 5th, since then my average daily caloric intake has been 1039 calories. I have been hitting the track nearly every day, and in the 16 days since I started I have lost 17 LB. To reach the required weight, I will need to continue losing at a rate of about 5 pounds a week. I love a challenge, and against all odds I will meet my weight requirement by the 31st of January.
As many of you know, I am a deployed US Army contractor in Iraq. On the 4th of November at 8pm, an email was sent out to all employees stating that all personnel on project over 1 year would be required to pass a physical or be demobilized (fired). A physical was a prerequisite for deploying, and I had no trouble passing 58 months ago. I was also required to pass a physical before returning to work following an injury in 2008. I have never had trouble passing any health requirement in the past, but there is a new addition to the physical, a BMI (body mass index) test. There will be no consideration given to body type, so those here that live in the Gym and have 3% body fat will be out on there *** just as fast as those that cant sit up from there chair with out being winded if they exceeded there BMI.
I knew I needed to drop some weight, and had planed on starting a diet / exercise routine on the 1st of November, but then the care package from my parents showed up, followed by the care package from my wife and 2 Hickory Farms summer sausage and cheese gift baskets. I was caught quite off guard when I received the email on the 4th, as there had been no warnings this was coming. I went to the gym and was shocked by the reading on the scale, also by the fact I am over ¼ of an inch shorter (injury to 3 discs). A quick check of the BMI calculator they provided revealed I had to lose 65 LB to meet my BMI requirements. My diet started on the 5th, since then my average daily caloric intake has been 1039 calories. I have been hitting the track nearly every day, and in the 16 days since I started I have lost 17 LB. To reach the required weight, I will need to continue losing at a rate of about 5 pounds a week. I love a challenge, and against all odds I will meet my weight requirement by the 31st of January.
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11-21-2010, 05:38 PM
#2
Just going to be straight forward with you, I have no sympathy for you. For one, you caloric intake is too low, second you need to start eating 5-6 meals a day spaced every 2-3 hours to spike your metabolism. I don't care about the care packages you received, I have not been able to drink or eat **** I have wanted to for a long time. 48 pounds by January first is going to be near impossible in a healthy situation.
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11-21-2010, 05:40 PM
#3
That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. Who the hell cares about BMI these days? It was never meant to be a rule, just something to look at as a decent guide. I'm sorry you have to go through that and I wish you the best of luck. Don't hurt yourself in the process. That's way more weight to lose than is healthy in that amount of time. No job is worth your health.
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11-21-2010, 05:45 PM
#4
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I lost 24lbs in 7 days in Afghanistan. But that was with no food or water for the last 48 hours of the mission, and multiple 12 hour rucks. I just about died.
Like everyone else said, 48lbs in that amount of time will not be healthy, but you will probably be fine if you start now and do it semi CORRECTLY.
Like everyone else said, 48lbs in that amount of time will not be healthy, but you will probably be fine if you start now and do it semi CORRECTLY.
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11-21-2010, 05:50 PM
#6
^^ Exactly, they usually don't care about BMI just on how you look in uniform and/or in prescribed clothing ie beer gut etc. You really need to stop worrying about calories and start worrying about carbs, now I know the chow hall has some halfway decent food, at least on the FOB I was was on. Take your *** to the healthy line, no white rice, no white bread. Seriously for the next month until January do this:
Example diet:
Breakfast: Egg whites, oatmeal, protein shake
Snack: Fruit
Lunch: Chicken Breast, brown rice, veggies
Snack: Fruit
Workout of the day
Post work out: Protein Shake, oats
Dinner: Chicken Breast, brown rice, veggies
Drink nothing with corn syrup, only water, no sports drinks etc, water only!
Example diet:
Breakfast: Egg whites, oatmeal, protein shake
Snack: Fruit
Lunch: Chicken Breast, brown rice, veggies
Snack: Fruit
Workout of the day
Post work out: Protein Shake, oats
Dinner: Chicken Breast, brown rice, veggies
Drink nothing with corn syrup, only water, no sports drinks etc, water only!
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11-21-2010, 05:57 PM
#9
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Out of curiosity, what is your current height/weight?
It is easier to lose more weight if you are larger.
What's the target BMI they are shooting for, and do your average co-workers fit under this measure?
Is your employer really in a position to act on this? That is, are most of your peers going to have a similar challenge?
Good luck to you. What you are working on is difficult.
It is easier to lose more weight if you are larger.
What's the target BMI they are shooting for, and do your average co-workers fit under this measure?
Is your employer really in a position to act on this? That is, are most of your peers going to have a similar challenge?
Good luck to you. What you are working on is difficult.
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11-21-2010, 06:02 PM
#10
If they do the rope and choke then I suggest you work on your shrugs and holding your breath.
Also you are looking at this the wrong way. You can't look at it as a "diet" you have to look at it as a lifestyle change. If you perpetually think about how much the situation you are in sucks you will eventually defeat yourself (or reward yourself for doing such a good job but the reward will most likely be lots of sausage or similar).
Also if you are a heavy coffee w/ sugar & cream, soda, energy drink, liquor consumer that is already actually overweight you will find the lbs go very quickly once you start exercising and stop consuming all the extra **** that is no good for you.
Also you are looking at this the wrong way. You can't look at it as a "diet" you have to look at it as a lifestyle change. If you perpetually think about how much the situation you are in sucks you will eventually defeat yourself (or reward yourself for doing such a good job but the reward will most likely be lots of sausage or similar).
Also if you are a heavy coffee w/ sugar & cream, soda, energy drink, liquor consumer that is already actually overweight you will find the lbs go very quickly once you start exercising and stop consuming all the extra **** that is no good for you.
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11-21-2010, 07:10 PM
#14
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Milton -
No matter what, it's gonna suck. Time to decide whether you are going to job shop now or push yourself to potentially unhealthy limits for a chance at keeping the gig.
I know the money is good. Odds are you enjoy "doing your part" and helping the troops (generally the only reason non-military folks stay in that environment for multiple years, no matter the size of the paycheck.) However, the pencil-pushers are setting the bar for several reasons; one of which is that with the manpower draw downs, there will be fewer troops to help keep the non-combat folks protected and alive.
The biggest flaw I see with your plan is there is no Option-B if (when) you (re-)injure yourself attempting to renovate your entire body in about 9 weeks. You are risking permanent injury.
I am a defense contractor myself. I've spent time in the desert/field both in and out of uniform. I understand the lifestyle, the (general) commitment to the mission and the drive to push the envelope. I just think you need to pause and make an educated vice emotional cost/benefit analysis of this course of action before proceeding.
- L
No matter what, it's gonna suck. Time to decide whether you are going to job shop now or push yourself to potentially unhealthy limits for a chance at keeping the gig.
I know the money is good. Odds are you enjoy "doing your part" and helping the troops (generally the only reason non-military folks stay in that environment for multiple years, no matter the size of the paycheck.) However, the pencil-pushers are setting the bar for several reasons; one of which is that with the manpower draw downs, there will be fewer troops to help keep the non-combat folks protected and alive.
The biggest flaw I see with your plan is there is no Option-B if (when) you (re-)injure yourself attempting to renovate your entire body in about 9 weeks. You are risking permanent injury.
I am a defense contractor myself. I've spent time in the desert/field both in and out of uniform. I understand the lifestyle, the (general) commitment to the mission and the drive to push the envelope. I just think you need to pause and make an educated vice emotional cost/benefit analysis of this course of action before proceeding.
- L
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11-21-2010, 07:22 PM
#15
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I am under no illusion that what I am attempting to do is healthy, but it is not Unprecedented.
In 2003 after a long sedentary period following a back injury I found my self at the highest weight of my life. The orthopedic surgeon I was seeing recommended I lose weight, and the workers compensation insurer even offered to pay my way threw weight watchers. I decided if I was going to try this, I would go all out and give it 100%. In 4 months I was able to lose 86 LB. not a single week went by that I did not lose 5 LB. After the first 2 months, they started giving me hell about losing weight too fast. I found my self adding weight to my pockets on weigh in nights, to avoid an *** chewing. I truly found it humorous watching these old women taking there earrings off before getting on the scale, knowing I had rolls of quarters in my pockets. I was able to achieve this massive weight loss by jumping on the treadmill for an hour every morning, and eating about 75% of the calories Weight watchers said I could eat.
In 2003 after a long sedentary period following a back injury I found my self at the highest weight of my life. The orthopedic surgeon I was seeing recommended I lose weight, and the workers compensation insurer even offered to pay my way threw weight watchers. I decided if I was going to try this, I would go all out and give it 100%. In 4 months I was able to lose 86 LB. not a single week went by that I did not lose 5 LB. After the first 2 months, they started giving me hell about losing weight too fast. I found my self adding weight to my pockets on weigh in nights, to avoid an *** chewing. I truly found it humorous watching these old women taking there earrings off before getting on the scale, knowing I had rolls of quarters in my pockets. I was able to achieve this massive weight loss by jumping on the treadmill for an hour every morning, and eating about 75% of the calories Weight watchers said I could eat.
Last edited by Milton Tucker; 11-21-2010 at 07:46 PM.
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11-21-2010, 08:00 PM
#16
As long as you're in reasonable shape and don't have the beer gut, I would think you'll be safe. BMI is an invalid indicator of fitness and health and if it's blatantly obvious you are in decent shape, well, I hope those in charge of you aren't that foolish. And if the BMI req was added just to slim down on personnel, well, times are a changing.
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11-21-2010, 08:02 PM
#17
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I am under no illusion that what I am attempting to do is healthy, but it is not Unprecedented.
In 2003 after a long sedentary period following a back injury I found my self at the highest weight of my life. The orthopedic surgeon I was seeing recommended I lose weight, and the workers compensation insurer even offered to pay my way threw weight watchers. I decided if I was going to try this, I would go all out and give it 100%. In 4 months I was able to lose 86 LB. not a single week went by that I did not lose 5 LB. After the first 2 months, they started giving me hell about losing weight too fast. I found my self adding weight to my pockets on weigh in nights, to avoid an *** chewing. I truly found it humorous watching these old women taking there earrings off before getting on the scale, knowing I had rolls of quarters in my pockets. I was able to achieve this massive weight loss by jumping on the treadmill for an hour every morning, and eating about 75% of the calories Weight watchers said I could eat.
In 2003 after a long sedentary period following a back injury I found my self at the highest weight of my life. The orthopedic surgeon I was seeing recommended I lose weight, and the workers compensation insurer even offered to pay my way threw weight watchers. I decided if I was going to try this, I would go all out and give it 100%. In 4 months I was able to lose 86 LB. not a single week went by that I did not lose 5 LB. After the first 2 months, they started giving me hell about losing weight too fast. I found my self adding weight to my pockets on weigh in nights, to avoid an *** chewing. I truly found it humorous watching these old women taking there earrings off before getting on the scale, knowing I had rolls of quarters in my pockets. I was able to achieve this massive weight loss by jumping on the treadmill for an hour every morning, and eating about 75% of the calories Weight watchers said I could eat.
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11-21-2010, 08:17 PM
#18
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I_Bader,
You bring up some good points. This life style is addictive, and I just can’t bring my self to throw in the towel just yet. My wife and I have discussed this ad nauseum, and we have decided for now to continue on. If it becomes evident that will not reach the goal, I will concede. I will not push harder then I am now.
You bring up some good points. This life style is addictive, and I just can’t bring my self to throw in the towel just yet. My wife and I have discussed this ad nauseum, and we have decided for now to continue on. If it becomes evident that will not reach the goal, I will concede. I will not push harder then I am now.
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11-21-2010, 08:38 PM
#20
You can do it. I've lost near a 100 lbs in two months time before, granted I'm a big boy. However, I did it completely the wrong way and gained everything back. Recently I've lost 45lbs slow and steady over the past 6 months and I can tell a huge difference losing weight the right way and the wrong way. If anything you could watch your sodium intake prior to, then spit and sweat your *** off the day of your weigh in and drop a good 5-10 lbs extra for good measure. And make sure you take a good **** and **** 
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