Hey everybody, I’ve got a problem and I know somebody out there has the answer. I am in the marines, I got back from the sandbox about 4 months ago in scrawny shape, I hit the gym and laid on the meat, I filled back out to over 215lbs, I’m 6’2" so that is by no means too heavy. The problem is I live in the barracks and eat a steady diet of chowhall food or what ever i can keep in my mini fridge. So my bodyfat is a little high, I dropped down to 202lbs on a low fat/ thermo diet and got my bf to 10.8, which is alot better. But I would really like to continue bulking and keep my 10.8. I was wondering if anyone out there has worked thru this situation before and might have some tips on how to bulk well on chowhall food? Any help would be appreciated, Thanks
I’m in a similar situation right now.
I’ve been doing pretty good for myself eating only meat, vegetables, cottage cheese w/ fruit, and mixed nuts.
I’ve found that if you “submit” to the pizza or dessert buffet once, you’ll keep doing it. My sincere advice is to stay away and tell yourself you’ll NEVER touch it.
It helps me to look at the guys going up for their third slice of cheesecake and notice they’re usually fat and out of shape.
***For those of you that can’t relate to this, imagine eating every meal in front of a full dessert buffet (pie, cookies, cupcakes, ice cream, pudding, etc.)
Between meals it’s protein powder and either fruit or mixed buts. Since you’re trying to bulk I recommend the nuts.
Hey jeff,
I appreciate the good advice, I don’t have much of a problem with the discipline angle, if I can’t have it i won’t. its just choosing the healthiest option out of stuff like hamburgers, cassarole or spagehetti, I normally raid the tuna from the sandwich line.
Does anybody know of any good stuff that would be easy to have in the barracks(other then tuna) the only way to cook stuff here is with a foreman or a microwave. Thanks
My suggestion is an obvious one… cottage chesse. Throw in some salsa in the 500mL(not sure what that is in ounces) tub and you’ve got 60grams of low fat, good protein. easy to keep in a fridge and cheap. If you want more calories, stir in some safflower oil or something similar… Another one would be natural peanut butter(the non-hydrogenated kind)
hope this helps a little.
Canned Salmon would be good, and some hamburger patties/chicken breasts would be easy to do on the foreman.
Good luck with your bulking, as a college student I can kinda relate to the conditions you eat in.
As a former active duty soldier, I can relate to your situation quite easily.
You have options though. The chow hall as I remember it always served good food.
Nutrional Labels were always provided so the soldiers could gauge against their own intake requirements.
Sometimes self-discipline is an issue. You know what is best for you so eat it. Don’t fall in the fast food line unless it is for a omelet to order.
Get a take out meal. Have them serve you food in a ‘to go box’. Eat it in the chow hall. When you are thru you can load up the ‘box’ at the salad bar with fruit, veggies, cottage cheese, and some pudding for a little snack later on in the barracks or as your next meal. Bring in a thermos and fill it at the milk dispenser.
If your dining facility sucks, go to another one. My friends and I would go all over the army posts we were stationed at until we found the best food. It was usually at the hospital or at support units. When we had time to take this option, we did.
The commissary is cheap! Load up on your supplies that you can’t get in the chow hall. (Keep in mind if you have a meal card or pay for chow you arent stealing anything.) Make tuna for a few days. Get a hibachi or go to the outdoor facilities and light up a grill. Cook enough chicken for a week and have a few beers(yummy) and enjoy an hour or so relaxing.
You can always supplement with shakes, PPowder, etc if need be.
You have a chow hall. Eat all you can for free. Hell, the taxpayers pay for it. You deserve it. They are to provide you with nutritious meals. You have a choice in what goes in your gut. Take a few extra seconds to see what is offered.
If the Chow hall isnt posting nutritional information for each dish tell them to. It was a requirement when I got out in 1997. I knew guys who polled troops and then went to the mess sgt. about making certain meals available e.g. low fat, no everything in sauce, always pasta, shit like that.
Finally, if you have roommate watch the food in the fridge. It seems to magically disappear.
Good Luck
Scouts Out!