BCT

I think it is pretty common to lose 5-10 lbs. Our DS was a solid 5-11 , 160 lb lacrosse player and lost 10 lbs during BCT. The cadre will monitor this and they actually had him on "boost"
 
fencersmother, when you say people gain weight, is it generally muscle weight?
 
Last summer my son gained 15 pounds of muscle during BCT. It was mostly upper body muscle. He is a slender middle distance runner and got back to his running weight during the fall. There were several distance runners that gained weight during BCT.
 
My assumption is that BCT will put your body in a healthy place...for those that need to lose fat weight, they will and for those that need to gain muscle weight, they'll gain it. Is this accurate?
 
Thanks for all of the replies! I guess it really just depends on body type, etc. Does anyone know at what point they put people on Boost/Ensure?
 
My assumption is that BCT will put your body in a healthy place...for those that need to lose fat weight, they will and for those that need to gain muscle weight, they'll gain it. Is this accurate?

For some, yes. My DD lost 10lbs and was required to drink 2 Boosts before bed every night. They don't want you to pass out due to not getting enough calories. For DD, she caught the flu & had bronchitis just as BCT2 started.

If I remember correctly, they try to get 4000 cal into you for BCT1 and 4500 cal for BCT2.
 
Oh, wow! That's a lot! Does anyone gain "bad weight" (fat) from eating so many calories, or do you really burn it all off?
 
Oh, wow! That's a lot! Does anyone gain "bad weight" (fat) from eating so many calories, or do you really burn it all off?
You burn it off. You will actually need all those calories. But remember, not everyone eats the same amount. That was DD's problem, she didn't eat it all.
 
Well, pshaw, forget weight watchers! They should be advertising basic training on TV instead! ;)

I'm more an advocate of SERE as a weight loss solution. Eating less, usually less than 1000 calories per day, and exercise in the wilderness with a ruck also leads to weight loss.
 
I'm more an advocate of SERE as a weight loss solution. Eating less, usually less than 1000 calories per day, and exercise in the wilderness with a ruck also leads to weight loss.

No SERE anymore. They do have ESET (no POW camp). DD has the wonderful (eh-hem) opportunity to do this over the summer.
 
They still have SERE on active duty. And some people do gain fat, honestly, especially in the last two years since they've been prioritizing nutrition so much.
 
Boost is used as currency, too. "I'll trade you two strawberries for one chocolate."
One of my sons entered USAFA with almost no body fat. I think he had 4 boosts per day. He lost 18 pounds at SERE.
 
DS gained 10lbs during BCT
DD gave it back for him the next year.

So yes... Some lose and some gain, but all typically come out better for it.
 
Mine lost around 15lbs during BCT, and it was all muscle. He had no fat on him going in to BCT. How much you lose and where you lose it depends upon your metabolism, body type and muscular development. Once they noticed his weight loss, he was put on boost. Though he lost so much weight, he never felt light headed from lack of food. He just has a high metabolism. I wish I had that metabolism! I swear he burns more calories watching TV than I do exercising for an hour!
 
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