10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1
Lets' not jump the gun now... i still have two weeks left as a normal civilian! Exactly two Sundays from now i will be making my trip to the hotel (hoping no obstacles get in the way), so i can be processed through MEPS one more time and shipped out!
Who knows how i will feel when it actually comes time to leave, but right now my worries are all gone... either because i have allowed myself to realize this is what i was made for... or that i am too mentally drained to have time to worry right now.
I haven't pt'd for a couple days now due to the Thanksgiving Holiday. I desperately need to get back in the rhythm of pt everyday and mainly running. Although on the other hand, in lieu of pt, i have been studying my rank structure, general orders, some marine corps history, and other things that i think might be helpful to be aware of before i get to basic.
I have been following Recruit Garner (http://www.blogger.com/profile/15929718924880087832) as she makes her way through basic. She is having her blog, Future of the Corps (http://futureofthecorps.blogspot.com/), updated with letters she sends home. It is very encouraging to read her posts. She lays out the phases she is going through, from getting off the bus to the time she starts Forming and Training. She lays out what a normal day is going to look like... and it doesn't sound too bad.
As my ship date draws closer the more my excitement builds up. It's almost time!! and i can't wait!
Marines in Action
Special forces unit from Indonesia Marine Corps in rapid response attack simulation. (Surabaya, 15 November 2006) Photograph by Mbahji (Deviant Art)
Showing posts with label motivation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label motivation. Show all posts
20101108
PT All The Way
Are you physically ready to take on the challenges of becoming a Marine? If so, Congratulations!! If not, well, i advise you to start attending the physical training sessions held by your local recruiters or take some time to work out on your own.
Before I started going to pt, i was fairly active compared to a lot of people i know. But fairly active just won't cut it in the Marine Corps. You need to be overly active! So, i started going to the office every other day to work out and help get myself in the shape i need to be for boot camp.
Yes, it can be an inconvenience having to drive out of your way or just setting aside a few hours when you could be out doing other things, but its really beneficial in the end. I drive 45 minutes just about every day to get to pt, not because i have to, but because i want to; i know it is going to help prepare me for basic training.
The males have to crank out a max set of pull-ups and the females have to do a max flexed arm hang(FAH) before we even report in. Pull-ups and flexed arm hangs are a huge part of fitness. Along with pull-ups/FAH, crunches and running is extremely important. During pt we might focus on one main muscle group per day, but we do work a little bit of everything. Also, don't just run and assume that is enough. Doing lunges down the hall, bear crawls, and mountain climbers all help build leg strength and will help to improve your running.
If you want to help build a stronger core, don't stop at doing just crunches. Mix it up with a variety of ab workouts; regular crunches, bicycle crunches, six inches, flutter kicks, and planks are also really good at strengthening core muscles.
I started out running a normal IST, trying to get my run time under 14:30, crunches above 50 and flexed arm hang of 70 seconds. I realized that doing other workouts in between was helping me improve in every area. SSgt Verduce and Sgt Hall have me doing assisted pull-ups to help with my flexed arm hang now. I have noticed a major difference in my performance in the past few weeks. My run time is improving, i have increased my hang time, and added about 20 crunches since i started.
I am still not where i want to be, but i will get there. If i didn't attend pt every day i know that i wouldn't be anywhere near prepared when my ship date comes around. I would advise making it easier on yourself and start working out now. It will help physically and mentally.
Before I started going to pt, i was fairly active compared to a lot of people i know. But fairly active just won't cut it in the Marine Corps. You need to be overly active! So, i started going to the office every other day to work out and help get myself in the shape i need to be for boot camp.
Yes, it can be an inconvenience having to drive out of your way or just setting aside a few hours when you could be out doing other things, but its really beneficial in the end. I drive 45 minutes just about every day to get to pt, not because i have to, but because i want to; i know it is going to help prepare me for basic training.
The males have to crank out a max set of pull-ups and the females have to do a max flexed arm hang(FAH) before we even report in. Pull-ups and flexed arm hangs are a huge part of fitness. Along with pull-ups/FAH, crunches and running is extremely important. During pt we might focus on one main muscle group per day, but we do work a little bit of everything. Also, don't just run and assume that is enough. Doing lunges down the hall, bear crawls, and mountain climbers all help build leg strength and will help to improve your running.
If you want to help build a stronger core, don't stop at doing just crunches. Mix it up with a variety of ab workouts; regular crunches, bicycle crunches, six inches, flutter kicks, and planks are also really good at strengthening core muscles.
I started out running a normal IST, trying to get my run time under 14:30, crunches above 50 and flexed arm hang of 70 seconds. I realized that doing other workouts in between was helping me improve in every area. SSgt Verduce and Sgt Hall have me doing assisted pull-ups to help with my flexed arm hang now. I have noticed a major difference in my performance in the past few weeks. My run time is improving, i have increased my hang time, and added about 20 crunches since i started.
I am still not where i want to be, but i will get there. If i didn't attend pt every day i know that i wouldn't be anywhere near prepared when my ship date comes around. I would advise making it easier on yourself and start working out now. It will help physically and mentally.
20101028
Entering the DEP - Keeping Motivated
Before i enlisted in the Marines i thought that i was fairly active and in good shape. When i ran that first IST though, i realized i would never make it through basic training as i was... i definitely needed to step it up, especially with running. Even though it isn't mandatory for me, i go to the office every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for PT and still feel like i need to be doing more. My biggest worry right now isn't the DI, isn't being away from home, but getting to boot camp and failing.
I look forward to PT everyday. Sgt Hall, along with all the other recruiters in the office, is really good about keeping me motivated and making me push myself. The work outs are challenging, but i know they will benefit me in the end. Every day we do something different, working a different muscle group. It is never easy, and for the first few weeks i would go home with every muscle in my body hurting.
My biggest piece of advice to everyone is DO NOT GIVE UP. I know i felt like i wouldn't be able to finish a work out, or i would tell myself i made the wrong decision by enlisting. But i also know that sticking it out and earning that title, Marine, it will be a great feeling, and it will make up for every second of pain and exhaustion. I look forward to that sense of accomplishment that will come with graduating basic training, and that's what keeps me going and keeps me pushing myself to be better. So far, its paid off. I have gotten my run time down under 14 mins, my crunches up to 60+, and my arm hang is 50+ seconds.
It is hard to keep myself motivated, but i don't give up, and don't beat myself up because i know i should be doing better. Keep a positive attitude towards everything and set yourself goals, even if they are small. Aim for getting one more pull up this time, or even just 5 seconds faster on the run. If you tell yourself you can do it, you will.
I look forward to PT everyday. Sgt Hall, along with all the other recruiters in the office, is really good about keeping me motivated and making me push myself. The work outs are challenging, but i know they will benefit me in the end. Every day we do something different, working a different muscle group. It is never easy, and for the first few weeks i would go home with every muscle in my body hurting.
My biggest piece of advice to everyone is DO NOT GIVE UP. I know i felt like i wouldn't be able to finish a work out, or i would tell myself i made the wrong decision by enlisting. But i also know that sticking it out and earning that title, Marine, it will be a great feeling, and it will make up for every second of pain and exhaustion. I look forward to that sense of accomplishment that will come with graduating basic training, and that's what keeps me going and keeps me pushing myself to be better. So far, its paid off. I have gotten my run time down under 14 mins, my crunches up to 60+, and my arm hang is 50+ seconds.
It is hard to keep myself motivated, but i don't give up, and don't beat myself up because i know i should be doing better. Keep a positive attitude towards everything and set yourself goals, even if they are small. Aim for getting one more pull up this time, or even just 5 seconds faster on the run. If you tell yourself you can do it, you will.
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