Quick Update

Just posting a quick update. Nothing exciting has been happening lately, so nothing new to report. I did lose a couple pounds, so I'm down to 165. I also did a total of 105 modified push-ups today, which was cool.

I'm still struggling with motivation to exercise, but I'm realizing that, for me, exercise is always going to be a struggle. I just don't enjoy it. I'm going to try something new, because I'm really disliking the videos I have. I'm thinking belly dancing would be fun, so I'm going to get a video for that. Right now, I'm going to hop on my mini-stepper and try to go until my legs are too gooey to continue.

The Marines

I watched The Marines today. I really like how they show show many aspects of the Marine Corps. The debate on whether women will be officially allowed in combat one day was interesting.

There was a quote from a retired Marine that really struck home. He said something to the effect of "Quiting is endemic. You quit once, you'll quit again. We don't tolerate that in the Marines." I was a quiter. All my life, I've always taken the path of least resistance. Even now, I want to lose the last 17 pounds, but I'm being lazy about it. Sure, I work out almost every day and I lose a pound or two a week, but that's not enough. I still allow myself to overeat at least twice a week, I skip workouts usually once a week, I eat things that I know are hindering my progress. Even today, I made brownies (which I'm taking to work on Monday).

My initial goal was to DEP by the end of April. If I stick to the path I'm on now, it won't be until the end of July. I'm not going to be a quiter anymore. I will lose those 17 pounds by the end of June, if not sooner. There is no other option for me. I can't see a future for myself other than the Marine Corps. I'm going to prove to myself and to the world that I have what it takes, before boot camp.

PFT!

I went for my run this morning and didn't intend to time myself. I just wanted to get the three miles done. I happened to glance at my watch when I started running, then I looked at it again when I reached the 3-mile mark. I did it in 36 minutes! I kept doing the math all the way back to the car to make sure it was right. It sure didn't feel like 36 minutes, but heck, I'll take it!

Photo Update

Here are some updated pictures. The first is of me in my size 18 pants and a shirt that used to be quite tight, and the second is me in that size 20 dress I wore in my cousin's wedding in June. Current weight: 167

Knowledge

There are several things I want to know before I head off to boot camp. Here's the list. I'm going to keep track of it as I learn.

*Rifleman's Creed (Done)
*11 General Orders (Done)
*Code of Conduct
*Marine Corps Hymn
*Rank Structure and Pay Grade (mostly memorized, just have a bit of trouble with the SNCOs)


Current Weight: 168

Hair Dilemma

I'm debating whether to cut my hair. I like it long enough to pull back, but I also like it short enough where I don't have to. Almost everything I've read suggests shorter hair is easier to deal with in boot camp, and I've never been one to put in a lot of effort into my hair. With summer coming, short hair won't be bad at all. Currently, my hair is around shoulder-length. If I cut it now, there's no way it will be long enough to pull back by October, so it will have to stay short. This is the style I'm thinking about (I know, I know. I'm a dork, but it's really cute).

Slacking a bit

I slacked off a bit earlier this week, but I'm back on track. It's tough being on top of my game all the time when I don't have anyone but myself holding me accountable. I'm going to do it, though. I will get there, no doubt about it.

My aunt Mary called last night. Grama told her that I was intent on joining the Marines. She was very supportive. I've been afraid to tell most of my family because I didn't think they would be (my cousin Amanda wasn't. She was a bit nasty about it), but everyone else so far has been excited for me. Not really what I expected, but I'm happy about their reactions.