So I have a soldier who is overweight and wants to get squared away. I have heard of fat camp, but does this really exist?

2015-12-13T12:00:21-05:00

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2015 12:33 PM

2015-12-13T12:33:00-05:00

Honestly I've never herd of an actual fat camp in the Army, SGT. However if the Soldier has the right motivation he might just need some one to keep him motivated and pushing towards his goals. Smoke sessions always works!

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2015 12:35 PM

2015-12-13T12:35:18-05:00

Also if you want to improve yourself, your soldiers and your unit you could look in to attending the Master Fitness Trainers Course.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2015 12:38 PM

2015-12-13T12:38:26-05:00

Send the Soldier to a nutritionist and make sure he does PT regularly. Too easy.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Dec 13 at 2015 12:38 PM

2015-12-13T12:38:42-05:00

My BN created a program for Soldiers who needed help becoming healthier, passing the APFT, and being in compliance with height and weight. I heard there were many successful Soldiers meeting or exceeding the Army standard due to not only doing PT, but being taught how to eat right.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Dec 13 at 2015 1:04 PM

2015-12-13T13:04:45-05:00

No fat camp exists. Some Commanders have setup short physical fitness programs to help fix soldiers.
Bottom line is that soldier needs individual nutrition counseling and a buddy to assist in the DFAC and PT 6 days a week until they meet the standards.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Dec 13 at 2015 2:13 PM

2015-12-13T14:13:23-05:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member, yes, fat camp exists and you are in charge of it SGT, especially for this Soldier of yours! Your Soldier is a reflection of you, and sounds like this Soldiers is motivated - keep pushing, this is an easy win, but you have to invest the time and get rid of the cakes and pies! You've done the hard part in instilling a sense of pride (wanting to improve), now you have to lead by example and follow up.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Dec 13 at 2015 2:53 PM

2015-12-13T14:53:47-05:00

Wanting to get squared away is the first step. Rock on!

A couple suggestions rather than looking at "fat camp."

1) Height/Weight is all about MATH. It's a super simple equation, but a lot of folks don't get it. Basically, your body is burning Energy (calories), and you have to eat food to support that. Food is Fuel. Go into a Deficit (less calories than you Burn) and you lose weight. Go into a Surplus (more calories than you Burn), and you gain weight. If you can teach him this #1 rule, he's on the "right path."

2) There are "tricks" to ASSIST getting him back in regs. These are SHORT TERM solutions to LONG TERM PROBLEMS (See #1).

a) Cut out all Fast Food. No McDonalds. No Taco Bell. No Pizza. If you can't get it at the chow hall or make it on a stove, don't eat it.

b) No Sodas, or Drinks that have sugars. These are "Empty Calories." The average Soda (12oz) has 200-250 calories. That's 1/10 of your daily intake of food and 1/3 of what you need for Carbohydrates. They pack on weight. Stop drinking them.

c) No Alcohol. If your body is processing alcohol, it's not burning Fat. It's Either/Or. Also, many Alcohols have sugar in them. It's like drinking bread.

d) Cut salt intake as much as you can. Salt retains water.

e) Develop a Meal Plan, and sit down with him and eat it. PM if you need help. But trim the carbs, and bump the protein/fat. This is a SHORT TERM SOLUTION. The goal is to burn off a lot of WATER WEIGHT quickly (See d), which makes it easier to exercise, which in turn makes it easier to burn fat. (See Atkins' Diet)

3) Exercise plan. Exercise has a lot of great benefits. Generally speaking however weight loss is not one of them. The majority of weight loss is going to come from diet/nutrition. Exercise (energy consumption) provides benefits, but it also triggers hunger response so be wary of that, and overeating.

Every mile ran/walked is about 100~ calories burned. Every POUND of fat is 3500 calories. That means you need 35 miles per pound of fat, or 5/day (average week) INCREASED activity. Just be aware of this. So, use exercise to SUPPLEMENT the NUTRITION portion. It's to HELP diet, which is what is really going to drop the weight.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2015 3:17 PM

2015-12-13T15:17:55-05:00

Operation Fit Warrior was what I heard them called. It has dietitian and master fitness instructors and combatives level 1. It is two weeks with APFT in beginning and end. However, it is ran by battalion or brigade (at least in reserves) of course dependent on funding and ability to get those instructors and dietitian.

Response by PV2 Scott Goodpasture made Dec 13 at 2015 4:47 PM

2015-12-13T16:47:13-05:00

yeah, its called basic training

Response by SrA David Steyer made Dec 13 at 2015 7:15 PM

2015-12-13T19:15:08-05:00

I know the USAF has a thing called FIP - Fitness Improvement Program which was mandatory PT to help you pass the test but it went away where I was. I never found out why but some bases may still have it though.

Where I was, I don't think they cared if you had a profile or not, because I recall seeing a person at work who had a cane, and presumably a profile that allowed it was there at FIP.

I would see them when my squadron did mock PT testing in the AM or when I took a PT test and one day they went away.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2015 11:47 AM

2015-12-14T11:47:15-05:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member If I may make a helpful recommendation (if this has not been tried before). Every morning when your Soldier wakes up, before eating anything....have them take 1 tsp of Apple Cider Vinegar and add it to a warm glass (8oz type) of water and chug this down on an empty stomach 30 mikes before eating. This, on top of any remedial pt and diet control, the weight should roll off. Have the Soldier keep a daily weight log to keep track of the their weight. And, ensure that they cut out any energy drinks/soda (or pop) and drink lots and lots of water throughout the day. Weight should just roll right off.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2015 1:12 PM

2015-12-14T13:12:07-05:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member I think the first step would be going with him to an AWC (Army Wellness Center) to get different tests that they run. The first would be Body Fat %, follow by metabolic rate, they even give you a class explaining all the info you'll get from this test and how to work with your metabolism. I took a Fitness Test (VO2 Max) that tells you were you are standing and what you have to work on. Here is the link to check where is the nearest location to you: http://phc.amedd.army.mil/topics/healthyliving/al/Pages/ArmyWellnessCenters.aspx I suggest you to visit them, even if you are not overweight, they give you lots of great information to get your fitness on track and I think this would be very beneficial for your Soldier.
Cc CSM Michael J. Uhlig LTC Private RallyPoint Member COL Private RallyPoint Member LTC John Shaw

Army Wellness Center Services - Army Public Health Center

Army Wellness Centers (AWC)provide standardized primary prevention programs and services designed to build and sustain good health and improve the overall healthy lifestyles of Soldiers, Family Members, Retirees, and DA Civilians.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2015 3:59 PM

2015-12-14T15:59:11-05:00

I believe there was a "fat-camp" at 30th AG at Benning when I went to Basic but only at 30th...it didn't exist after that. It comprised of over-weight or PT failures that were on a pretty strict diet when they went through the DFAC. Although that could've been the rumor mill at work....in today's PC world I would argue that its not called "Fat Camp" any more.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2015 1:24 AM

2015-12-15T01:24:53-05:00

If it doesent just create one. The toughest part is having any one "want " to get squared away, the rest is just mechanics in place with an action plan.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2015 8:40 AM

2015-12-15T08:40:43-05:00

Start with having him show up to organized PT with you.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2015 11:58 AM

2015-12-22T11:58:26-05:00

This is more challenging in the Reserves. We are all scattered and have jobs. If this soldier is motivated I hope he finds the time to square himself away. As an NCO you can provide assistance by showing him the regulations. They have plans in FM 7-22. AR 600-9. Long story short, there is no fat camp in the Reserves. Good luck to this soldier. I hope it works out.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2015 9:45 AM

2015-12-23T09:45:10-05:00

It starts with you as his first line leader. If he is enrolled in the ABCP you should be the person monitoring him. Work out with him in the afternoon and on the weekends. Putting out more calories than he takes in will work every time it is tried.