So, here it is: Crunch Time. I have almost literally 30 days to get in better shape, or its another PFA (Physical Fitness Assessment) failure on my record. One wasn't terrible, two is toeing to close to the line and three, well as they say in baseball... three strikes, you're out.
How to explain this to anyone who isn't in the Navy or even the military. It does not matter how good I am at my job. It doesn't matter if I am one of the best sailors in my command or even the Navy for that matter, if my body does not match their ideal, they will kick me out. The worst part is the method that is used for testing us; it isn't even scientific. Here's what they do:
During our PFA cycle we have to do weigh-ins. If you are over your weigh limit, you get taped, or as we call it: Roped & Choked. The method is simple in fact, just like many of the pseudo-science aspects of the Navy. The person conducting the measurement uses a specially designed measuring tape to measure the person's neck circumference and then their abdomen circumference. The numbers are subtracted from each other, neck from waist, and then compared against their height. This "number" then tells what percentage of fat the person's body holds. If you've done any cursory research into body fat, you'll know that the only accurate scientific method for measuring body fat is water immersion.
There is, however, no way to change this. The Navy won't change their minds on how they do things, because it means they have an easy way to discharge people. Fail three PFAs and you are out in as little as 1 year. So, utilizing this method, is extremely cost effective for them.
That's where I am now. I have one failure on my record. I have four years left to retire. Which means I have 9 PFAs left to go. It used to be that if you made it to 18 years, you were safe. Not so any more. Now, with new changes to the instruction, if you get three failures, it doesn't matter how long you've been in, you're out. Which could be the difference between getting some chump change severance pay in a lump sum to a retirement check for the rest of your life.
Hence the title; its Crunch Time. I have got to do everything and anything to pass the PFA this cycle. I've been working at it, working hard. I started off cutting down what I was eating and increasing my work outs to 5 days a week. That didn't work. The next month, I further decreased what I was eating and increased my work outs to 6-7 days a week; still nothing.
So, I'm trying out a couple of different things. Rearranging my eating habits again. I have new blood pressure medication. I'm trying out a 31 day fitness boot camp work out routine, along with my other regular works out, and I'm going to try B12. Supposedly, it helps, but there isn't any research to back up many of the claims I have heard, but if there are people saying it has helped them, its worth a shot.
I'll keep you posted. Cross your fingers for me.
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