Ex-Active US Army SGT, getting back in shape

Hello,

I am currently in Iraq as a contractor. I was here back in 2004 as a soldier and told myself and my wife I did not want to come back here again, hence ETS'ing from the Army after 7 years of service. With money being a little tight back home I decided it would be in my families best interest if I came over here for about a year to make some money. This definitly wasn't an easy choice but a choice none the less. In just 7 months I have done what would have taken YEARS financially, which is why I came here. Another bi-product of this time away from my family is quality time to focus on myself and some of my vices.

I turned 29 about 1 month prior to leaving for Iraq. Something about getting closer to 30 made me want to start thinking and being more proavtive about my health. I had been smoking since I was a teen and for the most part you could say I was a "pack a day" smoker up unitl quitting cold turkey 7 months ago. Needless to say I feel much healthier just cutting that aspect out of my life. Another thing I wanted to start working on was my eating habits. I am not a fatbody by a long shot, I think it's just not in my genetics. I also am not a very muscular person genetically speaking, I mean I have muscle but you know how some people just have defined bodies without working out at all, I'm not one of them. Anyway, up until 7 months ago I just ate garbage food indiscriminatly and wrecklessly, much like most people I know. I also have done my best and continue to do my best to conciously watch what I put in my body.

Third, I started weight training roughly 6 months ago and I love everything about it. By just taking that seriously and showing discipline in your training it seems like alot of the health issues I wanted to confront just fall into line, I.E. smoking and eating habits. I have seen very noticble changes in my appearance and body shape. I now have shape to my muscles, it's not just an arm or a shoulder, it has definition and it is physically noticable now. It may not seem like much to some but I find it very satisfying. I look forward to making more progress and see this entire health kick as a journey and life style change that I want to pass on to my wife and children. My wife has actually always gone to the gym, I suppose now we can just support each other in it.

Anyway, I look forward to posting on these boards and hearing what great info I could get from everyone.

175lbs
5'10
 
My wife has actually always gone to the gym, I suppose now we can just support each other in it.

My fiance and I are both very serious about our fitness and I can tell you, it is so great to be able to exercise and run and work hard with the one you love. You will find no better cheerleader or support or workout buddy in the world. But he's actually in the military as well, and will be gone for training until February. I miss him, but like you he did this partly for financial reasons (and partly because its a step on the path to his life dream) and for the eventual good of us as a family in the future. So like I'm sure your wife understands you being away, I accept that he has to be gone for now. But while you're apart, let each other know how your workouts are going, what your goals are, when you meet them. Figure out the time difference and plan to run or work out at the same time together and it will feel like your doing it together. And when you're together again you can be proud of each other's achievements, not to mention working out makes you look good for each other ;) And hey, there have been studies showing that couples that work out together have less fights, and when they do fight it is resolved much faster.
 
I actually am going on leave in 2 weeks. I haven't seen my family in 7 months and nedless to say pretty excited. I told myself that I wasn't going to let this year away from from my family be in vain.

Yea, I can't wait to start working out with my wife. I beleive everything you said is true, I have also heard the same things about couples who work out together.

I'll definatly have more energy to keep up with my kids now..haha. The horsey back rides use to kill me, along with the running around the house in circles for no apparent reason. Now they won't be able to keep up with me.

Thanks for the reply
 
Thats funny.

I saw you are from CT?? I am originally from CT, grew up there. Been in Texas now since 2000 though and I'm not leaving.
 
Back
Top