Hi all!!! I would like to know how I can lose 1% of body fat in 1 week. I am 37%, and I would need to be 36% in order to qualify for the ARM's test at MEPs. And by the way, has anyone ever taken that test????? I would love to here about it from people who have experience. My recruiters all tell me that its really not that difficult, but I am a girl, and I have read forums from men saying that they just couldnt do it!!!

So any help and advice will do!!!

Thankk You,
Marah

Well just eat next to nothing pretty much salads. I wouldnt suggest trying to lose that much so quick. Nothing says you have to join next week.

The arms test is a five minute test where you step onto and off of a 12 inch step. A beat is played and you have to keep up with it. Whether it's really hard or not depends on your physical fitness level, since the purpose of the test is to determine whether an individual who exceeds the army weight standard might still be capable of completing basic training.

As a warning - you do not want to ship to basic if you can't do 12 sit-ups, 3 push-ups, and a mile in 10 minutes (the standard that every female soldier is supposed to meet before shipping, but just watch a recruiter enforce that). The number one cause of failure in BCT is lack of physical fitness, and trust me you do not want to be there for longer than you have to be.

Start walking today, not tomorrow. At least twenty minutes at a time and try for twice a day if possible. Also if you drink lots of soft drinks, STOP, switch to water. The sodium in the soft drinks retains water. If you only do these two things for one week I think you will be able to losing the 1%. Of course don't forget the common sense stuff of avoiding the fast foods and other junk.

I promise you that if you are serious about going to basic training, the time to start getting in some kind of shape is now, do not wait until you get there. I don't expect that you will go run two miles tomorrow, but start taking the baby steps now. Push yourself, but do not go overboard and injure yourself. The worst thing you can do is start to think, "I will just do it tomorrow".

For females it is really hard to lose weight quick. I had to lose 3 pounds in 1 week & it was tough.

WATER, WATER, WATER is a must every day. Also, I do not know if you already workout but gameness2 & privategofetch are right. You will have to be somewhat physically fit at first. I have seen females hurting when running or doing a push up. try running for 10 to 15 minutes 2x a day. It will help! plus you will sweat and eat a low fat yogurt or fruit after & nothing else.

it is good to eat half the meal you normally eat. Do not get to the point where you feel full! LIGHT FOOD. 30 minutes before you eat drink water. you will not be able to finish your food. you will feel somewhat full.

Breakfast- oatmeal 1/2 cup w/ a banana.
Lunch - tuna salad or chicken breast w/ salad
Dinner - special K cereal and fruit

snacks - fruit or a low fat yogurt, cottage cheese.

the day before the test.. take a laxative drink sometime after dinner. they have some at a pharmacy...ex. rite aid or walgreens. this flushes out everything you ate and you will stay home! DO NOT EAT after! it will make you hungry...drink small amounts of water. you should not have anything in your system until the next day whenever you get a chance to eat after the test.

hope this helps...good luck!

Thanx so much for you guys' input. I will heed all advice, and make water my 1 and only drink!!!...also, I might just take advantage of the meal plan that was posted. Thanx again!!!

Also, thanx for your help 'Privatgofetch'. I will have about 6 months to work on that!! I wouldnt ship out until June, after I graduate!!

Thanx,
Marah

quote:

Originally posted by mbenjamin03:
Thanx so much for you guys' input. I will heed all advice, and make water my 1 and only drink!!!...also, I might just take advantage of the meal plan that was posted. Thanx again!!!

Becareful with just drinking water, you want to drink something like Gatorade to to replenish your electrolytes. I heard of Soldiers collapsing while downrange b/c all they do is drink water all day, they flushed their system pretty much.

Also when someone said to eat only half of your meal, I have also been told that instead of eating 3 BIG meals a day you eat multiple small meals a day. I dont think you should starve yourself (thats what I would feel like with the example diet given above by someone else).

More than anything you should contact a physician, your DR., etc someone certified professional that can give you a diet that works for you as I dont think any of us here are certified to give you a diet plan for you to go by.

I have to politely disagree with the Gatorade and sports drinks theory. I understand what you are saying about depleting your electrolytes, but unless you are drinking extreme amounts of water and not eating a proper diet you should be fine. The soldiers that deplete themselves of electrolytes typically are in a high heat enviroment and are sweating above avg amounts. The other problem with sports drinks is that they are high in sodium and calories. Check the label. If you are eating healthy then you are getting enough salt in the diet.

As for the small meals several times a day, the theory is that it will help to speed up your metabolism and will also help you avoid feeling hungry and then going on a binge and getting overfull.It does work.

Another tip I have been given is to go get some wheat chex cereal(not rice or corn) and put some in a sandwhich bag everday to carry with you. When you feel the need to snack, eat the cereal. It is high in fiber and will help you feel full. It is conceded that it is not the perfect snack food, but it is far better than a candy bar or some of the other common choices.

Remember, this will take time, do not get discouraged.

Let us know how you progress, good luck.

My wife took that diet and lost 15 pounds in about 13 days. She can pass a PT Test no problem but the tape was an issue due to having a baby..she was only 9 pounds over weight but still needed to make the weight..
We found it odd that since she is in the reserves, she'd still have to go through all that stuff again..unfortunately, something else came up but that's another story