How to Prepare if You Are Underweight Heading to Marine Basic Training
The U.S. Marine Corps has strict requirements for its soldiers in all aspects of their lives. Even before you become a Marine, you must meet weight requirements. The Marine Corps has maximum and minimum weight limits for incoming recruits, depending on their height. If do not weigh in within that limit, you may not be accepted to basic training. Eating techniques and exercise can help you gain the weight you need to be a Marine.
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Instructions
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Weigh yourself. Find out just how much weight you have to gain in order to qualify to go to Marine basic training.
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Eat as you normally would for one day and keep track of how many calories you consume. You can estimate if needed for meals such as take-out, but come up with a relatively accurate number for calories you consume in a normal day.
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Add at least 500 calories per day to your normal daily intake. Eating more often, five to six meals per day spread out about every 2 1/2 hours, is effective in increasing your calorie count.
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Regulate the foods by which you take in extra calories. Some foods, such as candy or fast-food, are high in calories, but also in fat and sugar, and can lead to fat gain instead of muscle gain. Focus instead on high-protein foods like seafood, meat, fruits and vegetables. These foods will increase your calorie count, but decrease your fat and sugar intake, leading to better overall health.
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Start an exercise regime that exercises all major muscle groups, including arms, legs and abdominals and includes cardiovascular exercise. Walk or jog, lift weights and do basic body exercises like push-ups and sit-ups. If necessary, join a fitness club or gym,or talk to your doctor about healthy exercises. The exercise will turn the increased number of calories into lean muscle, allowing you to gain strength while you gain weight.
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Weigh yourself at the end of each week to see how much you have gained. Keep track, until you stop gaining weight. Your body will become accustomed to the increase in calories and your metabolism will begin breaking them down faster. When this happens, add another 250 calories per day to return to steady weight gain.
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Tips & Warnings
The average person will gain one to two pounds per week if he follows these diet and exercise instructions. Gaining much more than that may mean that you are putting on a lot of fat, not muscle, which can be dangerous for overall health.
If you are unsure about healthy foods or exercises, consult a doctor. Never try to eat or exercise in ways that you have not before if you are unsure, as you may do more harm than good to your body.
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- Photo Credit military image by Alexey Klementiev from Fotolia.com
