GetMOCAPFit

[RiverAux]

Whatever happened to that program in Missouri Wing where they had people signing up for the Presidents Physical Fitness Challenge?  Has it died? 

Any other CAP groups using this program?

http://www.presidentschallenge.org/

[mikeylikey]

I think Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts began sponsoring the program.  Shortly thereafter....it disappeared.  How strange?!?

[jb512]

I think Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts began sponsoring the program.  Shortly thereafter....it disappeared.  How strange?!?

I'm glad this new thread spun off of the uniform changing one, and I'm glad that you had the cojones to post what you did in there, mikey.

I'm a cop, and I absolutely cannot stand the stigma of fat cops who eat donuts all day.  I refuse to eat anything resembling a donut while in my cop suit and I have a maximum weight that I will allow myself where I drop the cokes and chips for a while and chew on some apples while I walk the block a few times.  Part of what cops are taught in the beginning is about image.  Everyone knows that image has an effect on people's first impression of you and as cops we make tons of first impressions everytime we make contact with people.  If someone is sizing you up and you're overweight, have snuff stains down your shirt and big mac sauce on your sleeve, you're more likely to get your a$$ kicked than someone with somewhat shined boots, a sharp uniform, and who is physically fit.  While we're not potentially bouncing heads off of trunk lids in CAP, we do present an image and make impressions when we're in uniform.

There are people with legitimate medical conditions, and there are people above certain ages who find weight management difficult if not impossible and I can understand that.  For the rest of us, there's no reason why we can't put on a pair of shoes and go for a walk when you gut starts to extend below your belt.

Let the rants begin...

[mikeylikey]

^  I am tired of people beating around the bush and being PC about the FAT issue.  You walk into a CAP conference......2/3 of the attendees are overweight (to include some Cadets as well).  Now, being FAT does not mean you can't do your CAP job, and you are no less valuable than a person who is FIT.  It just comes down to everyone being careful not to offend those that can not fit into a uniform.

We should at least say to these people "we care enough that we are willing to help you loose weight".  Being FAT is no longer a personal issue, research has shown that being around FAT people, predisposes you to being FAT as well.  NBC news last month reported that there may actually be a FAT virus that is transmitted by FAT people to regular people.  Usually it is given to the baby at birth by someone (most likely their parents).  Some of us are more prone to becoming fat either through this or a heredity issue.

I would just hate for Cadets to think, "keeping FIT does not matter, just look at all the CAP Officers around me who are fat".

NOTE:  I do not hate, dislike, or harbor any ill will toward those that are FAT.  I myself grew up fat, and worked my but off to lose over 150 pounds.  It is a constant challenge for me to keep the FAT off.  It is something I will work hard on the rest of my life. 

I just wanted to get the point across that those that need to loose weight, take some initiative, join a group, get support, and loose the weight.  DO NOT invest in diet pills......they don't work and will actually make you fatter when you get off of them!

Those that are offended, please take you personal bashing of me to PM.  Thanks!

[DrDave]

Obesity is a national epidemic, one that will affect the health of our entire nation and the cost of healthcare for decades to come.

"GetMOCAPfit" is still around with approx. 34 participants.  Major David Plum and I put the program together over a year ago.  Currently, I'm past the Gold Medal Level on the President's Challenge and working towards Platinum.  I've lost about 25 pounds and can now wear the USAF Blues (my incentive).

I'm happy to talk with anyone who is interested in the program and how we started it in Missouri Wing.  Please PM me.

Regards,
Dr. Dave
Medical Officer
Missouri Wing

[RiverAux]

I signed on for a short period today and there were only 9 participants listed and apparently none of them had done anything at all in November as nothing showed up when I tried to compare myself to the group. 

[star1151]

NOTE:  I do not hate, dislike, or harbor any ill will toward those that are FAT.

This isn't directed at you...

But I  believe I've said it before....overweight people seem to be the last group that it's acceptable to hate and criticize.  I can say that with 100% certainty since I'm experienced it for myself...even though at my heaviest, I was only 20 lbs over my "ideal" weight.  Well, let me correct that...I experienced it last week, even though my BMI is considered healthy and I am within "ideal" weight standards.  Unfortunately, it's considered acceptable to "hate" people who don't fit society's view of what beauty is.  What's even more amusing and disheartening is when this hate is cloaked by "concern" for someone else's health and the completion of a mission. 

Yes, I'm very sensitive to this issue, as a woman who will never be a size 0.  Even as an adult at a healthy weight, I've been called fat and worse, by both men and women, and treated like I'm wrong in just breathing the same air as "skinny" people. I sincerely hope CAP doesn't become the same way. 

(And frankly, I believe you're expressing that hate and disdain by continuously capitalizing "fat")

[Nomex Maximus]

I think Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts began sponsoring the program.  Shortly thereafter....it disappeared.  How strange?!?

I'm a cop, and I absolutely cannot stand the stigma of fat cops who eat donuts all day...
. . .
Let the rants begin...

Hehehe... 25 years ago, a young Nomex was in the drivers seat of the new Dodge Diplomat police cruiser with his Field Training Officer beside him. We had just gassed up at the end of shift and now it was time to race the other FTO and his trainee to Dunkin Donuts to see who would get to buy the donuts for after shift. Young Nomex was moving along side by side with the competitor police car when he noticed the light about to turn yellow. Cautious and prudent Nomex began to slow to stop when his FTO began yelling, "The light's [still] green, why are you slowing down? GO GO GO!!!" Where upon young Nomex continued to slow down and stop. Young Nomex was then chewed out for not being the first to the donut shop.

[Nomex Maximus]

NOTE:  I do not hate, dislike, or harbor any ill will toward those that are FAT.

This isn't directed at you...

But I  believe I've said it before....overweight people seem to be the last group that it's acceptable to hate and criticize.  I can say that with 100% certainty since I'm experienced it for myself...even though at my heaviest, I was only 20 lbs over my "ideal" weight.  Well, let me correct that...I experienced it last week, even though my BMI is considered healthy and I am within "ideal" weight standards.  Unfortunately, it's considered acceptable to "hate" people who don't fit society's view of what beauty is.  What's even more amusing and disheartening is when this hate is cloaked by "concern" for someone else's health and the completion of a mission. 

Yes, I'm very sensitive to this issue, as a woman who will never be a size 0.  Even as an adult at a healthy weight, I've been called fat and worse, by both men and women, and treated like I'm wrong in just breathing the same air as "skinny" people. I sincerely hope CAP doesn't become the same way. 

(And frankly, I believe you're expressing that hate and disdain by continuously capitalizing "fat")

Star... I sometimes joke about the blue BDUs... it's because I have had to work myself down to *just* *barely* make it under the limits... took four months of dieting so far. If you see me talking about wearing the FATsuit... it's because I think it is sort of tacky that the AF doesn't want to be identified with volunteers who give countless hours of their time and energy in service to their country only to be singled out to wear a "special" uniform.

FWIW, I think society has made many women to feel bad about having a perfectly normal and desirable appearrance. Does CAP have standards about how much weight you can lift and carry? About how quickly you can drag a victim away from danger? No? But it does have standards about how members look? That's just wrong...

[brasda91]

I've lost about 25 pounds and can now wear the USAF Blues (my incentive).

Congratulations on your weight loss.  Now don't let this stop you from watching your weight, but there aren't any weight standards anymore, just grooming.

[mikeylikey]

(And frankly, I believe you're expressing that hate and disdain by continuously capitalizing "fat")

Wow.....subliminal or subconscious on my part.  It was not my intention to make anyone feel that I hate them. 

I thought about it, and I do consider myself fat as well.  You see, if I stop eating right, or exercising for 2 hours a day, I know I will gain back the 150 pounds I lost quicker than I lost it.  I am a fat person, who just happens to be fit and trim at the moment.  If anything happens, I doubt my body would stay the same weight.

Again, sorry if I upset anyone on this issue.  It does go to show you how our society is SO Politically Correct minded, and how vulnerable each of us are to criticism.

[star1151]

Again, sorry if I upset anyone on this issue.  It does go to show you how our society is SO Politically Correct minded, and how vulnerable each of us are to criticism.

In my mind, it's not about political correctness, it's about basic human dignity.  No one should be called a cow, be they 150 lbs or 300 lbs.  Hate is hate, and it's considered cool to hate fat people.

But that's the opinion of a 20-something woman.  YMMV, and probably does.

[flyguy06]

NOTE:  I do not hate, dislike, or harbor any ill will toward those that are FAT.

This isn't directed at you...

But I  believe I've said it before....overweight people seem to be the last group that it's acceptable to hate and criticize.  I can say that with 100% certainty since I'm experienced it for myself...even though at my heaviest, I was only 20 lbs over my "ideal" weight.  Well, let me correct that...I experienced it last week, even though my BMI is considered healthy and I am within "ideal" weight standards.  Unfortunately, it's considered acceptable to "hate" people who don't fit society's view of what beauty is.  What's even more amusing and disheartening is when this hate is cloaked by "concern" for someone else's health and the completion of a mission. 

Yes, I'm very sensitive to this issue, as a woman who will never be a size 0.  Even as an adult at a healthy weight, I've been called fat and worse, by both men and women, and treated like I'm wrong in just breathing the same air as "skinny" people. I sincerely hope CAP doesn't become the same way. 

(And frankly, I believe you're expressing that hate and disdain by continuously capitalizing "fat")

:Hate" is a VERY strong word. I dont people "hate" people that are fat. they may make jokes about fat people or treat them differently, but to say they hate fat people I think is a little excessive.

[star1151]

:Hate" is a VERY strong word. I dont people "hate" people that are fat. they may make jokes about fat people or treat them differently, but to say they hate fat people I think is a little excessive.

Like I said to mikey, YMMV.  I suspect most CAP types are middle aged men and haven't run across it.  Doesn't mean it doesn't exist, and I wouldn't want to see that attitude creep into CAP.

[BlackKnight]

Whatever happened to that program in Missouri Wing where they had people signing up for the Presidents Physical Fitness Challenge?  Has it died? 

Any other CAP groups using this program?

http://www.presidentschallenge.org/

Getting back to the thread topic-

The President's Challenge is an individual award.  There are also related squadron P/T awards that can be earned by cadet or composite squadrons. See http://www.cap.gov/visitors/members/cadet_programs/index.cfm?nodeID=6715&audienceID=4

I think the individual awards are great and I encourage cadets to go for them. The main problem I had (have?) with the squadron level awards is that the award is based on having 70% of the cadets on roster meet or exceed the president's challenge 50th percentile.  That means 70% of the cadets must perform at the Mitchell PT standards or higher.  (Only about 5% of our cadets ever reach the Mitchell.) One unscrupulous way to achieve the required percentage is to move all inactive cadets and any cadets who can't meet those higher standards off the squadron roster by transferring them to the wing squadron reserved for inactive members.  Incredibly, our previous DCC got a bee in her bonnet to qualify for the squadron PT awards and she did just that!  Cadets who missed PT testing for whatever reason or failed PT were moved off the roster (rather than simply being held back from promotion). She's no longer in CAP, but pursuing that award (which we never qualified for anyway) left a bad taste that will take a few more years to get over.  Clearly a case of throwing the baby out with the bathwater...