soon to be marine frickin frustrated....

[devildawg24]

I am having a problem sticking to any plan. It seems I decide to stark a bulking cycle, then like 1-2 weeks into it, for some reason, I decide its best to switch to a cutting cycle. Then I start a cutting cycle and feel like i should be bulking. I am really pissed at my inability to stick to one thing--I know what I am doing is stupid.

I am leaving at the end of summer for boot camp for the USMC and right now I am 5'11 180 lbs with about 12% body fat. I am really torn between bulking and cutting. I know i am going to lose hella weight in boot camp and b/c of this i feel i should bulk. But then i think about having to lug extra weight around and i feel like i should go in lean and mean.

I would like to get to about 200 lbs @ 9% bf while maintaining my strength. Would this be possible to do by the end of summer? Any former grunts have any advice on this? Should I go in lean or bulk before boot camp? I just dont want to come back at a sickly looking 160 lbs. If i went in at 200 maybe i could come back at a decent 180.

Thanks,
K

[Manteca]

Unless you do a very agressive 3 month long cycle don't plan on gaining that 35lbs of muscle while losing 10lbs of fat. It ain't gonna happen. Realize you aren't going to be able to lift weights in the MC also. I would go in fat if I were you. Bulk up cuz you are gonna lose weight while there no matter what you do. BTW if you are smart you will burn your contract and find another source of funds.

[Nayl]

Best thing you can do right now is strength train. Being able to do the full complement of pullups is going to be far more valuable than having an extra 15 pounds on you (which may inhibit your ability to do said pullups). Also, think about the running you will be doing.

When you get to Paris Island you'll be on a program that will make you lean and fast, so any bulk you make now will be wasted away anyway. My neighbor went in at 5'9" 195 and came out 165.

Military doesn't want big brutes, they want fast and lean. Speed kills not muscles.

[nutzo]

Thats right, lean and mean. Thats what they used to say all the time...Lean green fighting machine. You will get hard and have a set of good lungs when you graduate, trust me. You can bulk up after graduation. I don't know what that crack by Maneca was about...I guess he got his ass kicked by a jarhead or something...or maybe he was a wingnut, (USAF). By the way devildawg, not all marines are grunts. I was a airwinger. Good luck bro, you will be ok, just don't take the stuff they say to you too serious, they are there to break you, if they can. If your in good shape the physcial part is a breeze, its the mind games they try to get you with. I went in about two weeks after high school graduation and I was a athlete in school, so as I said, the physical part was not bad, except the running. Im not built for long distance running.

[zeppelin]

devildawg24- I have a 10 week physical preparation plan that will work well and get you prepared. I was in the army and some of my friends who have gone ito the air force and marines have/are using the program. It works very well. Let me know if you want a copy and I will email it to you. Good Luck and best wishes. Be proud of your decision.

[Manteca]

What better program could you have than one in which you do what you will be doing. Just run alot, pushups pullups and whatever else. The running is the toughest part. Well for some of us anyway.

[devildawg24]

Thanks for all the info guys...Does anyone know of an "ultimate leaning/strength" workout program? I like to workout all the freaking time but i don't want to overtrain obviously. What supps work well with a cutting cycle too? Should I just go with a one body part/group per day plan?

mon-chest/abs
tues-back
weds-shoulders/quads/abs
thurs-tris
fri- bi's/abs???????????

[plow-horse]

Don’t worry Sargent Hullka will make your mind up for you. LOL
If you’re going to be a Marine then train like a Marine. Once out of boot camp then see which way you want to go.

[sgtp]

devildawg24 -

Been to bootcamp, PI and got the t-shirt. Currently a Sgt in the reserves.

MOST important is cardio. You will be running you ass off on top of the 0430 - 2000 days. Endurance is the key. Your PFT's [physical fitness test] will consist of pullups, situps and run.

Top score is 20 pullups...deadhangs... 100 situps in 2 minutes and a three mile run in 18 minutes. This is for a perfect 300 pft score. If I were you I would be working on those aspect.

When you get out of bootcamp you will be in the best shape of your life. Drill Instructors will make sure of that

Marines is the best thing I ever did.

[sharkness]

devildawg24 -

Been to bootcamp, PI and got the t-shirt. Currently a Sgt in the reserves.

MOST important is cardio. You will be running you ass off on top of the 0430 - 2000 days. Endurance is the key. Your PFT's [physical fitness test] will consist of pullups, situps and run.

Top score is 20 pullups...deadhangs... 100 situps in 2 minutes and a three mile run in 18 minutes. This is for a perfect 300 pft score. If I were you I would be working on those aspect.

When you get out of bootcamp you will be in the best shape of your life. Drill Instructors will make sure of that

Marines is the best thing I ever did.

i can attest to this