Weight can be a tricky issue, but it can be overcome. I haven't been on the forums since we left for R-Day with my DS.
Time to start giving back some advice and support as I was given. I posted many questions on here regarding my sons weight and fitness scores. It was a close one, but he dodged a few bullets early on. Following is my story, hope it helps some of you.
My son played football as a lineman in high school. He was heavy because of it, well that and because he liked to eat and hated to run. At 5'11, 221#, he did not meet standards for Height / Weight. His doc taped him, not sure if it was done right as there is some variability if the tape isn't placed exactly in the right locations. Either way, he did just make the BMI standards to get in as a swab. He was one of the hard working and lucky kids to be offered a spot in the class of 2020, after about 3 weeks of agonizing torture to his parents, he signed his acceptance.
Although I constantly warned him and tried to convince him of the need to drop weight and get fit, it seems he just didn't care.
On R-Day he was still about the same weight. We said goodbye in the morning as he was whisked away with his new company. His mother and I attended parent events that morning while anticipating a chance to see him swear his oath later that afternoon. At lunch I mentioned under my breath to his mother that I hope he makes weight as there are cases every year where swabs are sent home on RDay.... she didn't know this and was upset that I mentioned it!! No more than 15 minutes after stating that, my cell phone rings.... call from New London, CT! My heart jumped as I answered it. "Hello, Mr. Ludwig? Your son is fine, but there is a problem and we need to speak with you".
Ugh, my heart sank, I knew what it was about.
An hour later we were in the counselors office when our son was escorted in, looking worse than I have ever seen him look, head shaved, sour face, looking beaten down.... it had only been a few hours, how could he crumple that fast?
We were advised that he did not meet height / weight standards and might not be allowed to join his swab class and could be sent home. From the look on his face, that would have been just fine with him, he clearly hated it so far. She informed us that He was going to be taped later that day to see if he can stay. We said a curt goodbye "love you son" and he was escorted back out to rejoin his company. At first I wondered why do all that before taping him, then I realized they were scaring him to let him know just how serious they take this, so if he does pass the taping he would understand he was on the bubble.
So his mother and I suffered 2 hours of anguish waiting to hear...
Finally, my phone rang again, New London, CT.... "Hello, Mr. Ludwig? Your son made weight and will be allowed to stay".
What a huge relief with high 5s to a few other parents we shared our fears with....
Damn that Boy!!! Heart attack Kid!
When we saw him later that afternoon he looked even worse and there was no doubt he was ready to quit, that's another story I will save for later.
So he barely made BMI. His first fit test he only scored 137 points! If he was under 135 points, they send you home!! For such a high achieving young man, we were sad, mad, disappointed, and hopeful.... but he really screwed up by not being ready, he knows it now, but I don't think there was anything we could have done to change it. I am sure that is a big part of his unhappiness the first month of swab summer. He was singled out and they focused on him, making him get fit, the cadre were phenomenal and he loves them all now, they rode him hard! But there isn't much you can do as a parent, it is up to your child to take ownership of their fitness.
By the end of 4 weeks he was up to 168 points on the fit test. Then 197 points, and within 2 weeks of classes starting, he had dropped over 30 pounds, scored 220 points on the fit test and was feeling the greatest sense of accomplishment of his life.
His laziness almost cost him his spot in his class, and he absolutely loves the academy experience now.
The ride for his parents was horrible!!! 4 weeks of gut wrenching, more to that story some other time.
The end result is a happy, well adjusted, fit and confident young man.... hang in there!!