Topic: A 36 years youngwoman and going for it

[Fanfreluche]

best of luck to you.. im joining at 30
finally  going for it.. i tryed when iwas 20 but passed all the test except one.. and it was those 2 missing pushup  that killed my chance that year....after 10 years of thinking about it and realising  i really hate my job im gonna try again this year

[forumdood007]

I joined last year at 50. I was worried about going to BMQ and being fit enough, was not wanting to be "the old fart" lagging behind, lol. Loads of people thought I was nuts but I was determined to join, put in my best effort and make the best of it. I was always in decent shape and for a guy my age, had to achieve just slightly less that the young guys, as far as the Express Test goes. I needed to practice running bigtime prior to going and googled the "beep test" to practice with. Best decision. I doubled the required number of push ups and sit ups, not a difficult feat once I put my mind to it. You are tested week one, then again in week 8. I exempted both so skip a year to be tested again. I'm not bragging but merely saying that if I can do it, anybody can. I've since gone to Esquimalt, done my QL3 and NETP and am posted to a ship in Halifax, where I've lived for 20 years. It's been a really busy 16 months for this guy. So far, so good!!!

[Renwick]

Thank you for posting this... i am a 29 year old woman and i am going to be going to RMC this fall. I think that it's going to be challenging and exciting at the same time... i just keep telling myself that my life experience and maturity are going to benefit me and well out way whatever physical short comings i may have.  Congrats to you 

[Park]

WonderGirl, if you have an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, I really recommend the app Hundred Pushups. Great app and really helps. Good luck!

I wholeheartedly agree.  They also make a sit-up app too, and for Android phones too.     

[vhaust]

Knowing that mature people are joining makes me comfortable; gaining extra motivation.

[SheRa011]

36?  i am even older and just handed in my application.  had a career which i loved before.  now i want to do something different.  something in which i can do more.  and i'm doing my best to whip my not-so-young body into shape.  i've got the guts to tell my hubby and one sibling.  no one else knows.  i tell myself there's no point getting my parents and other siblings all upset and stressed, until i get my offer.  i keep it to a "need to know" basis also because i do not want to get discouraged or be discouraged to go all the way and do my best. 

good luck to you!

[GreenIsGood]

Check out the 56-year-old recruit doing the Warrior Challenge in this report: http://www.youtube.com/user/CanadianArmyNews#p/search/0/-nI9RBziGtk . Age is just a number.

[TiredofSitting]

I'm thinking about joining at 30 (I'll be 31 when I get through the application procedure). It's uplifting to hear stories about others who are over 30 joining. I'm nervous as all hell though. I started back to the gym last month and I have so much work to do! Sit-ups won't be a problem, push-ups I'll be able to handle as well, I can run for 5 km but its not a quick 5 k, takes me about 33 minutes! And forget chin-ups But I'm working on it all. I'll also have to get my eyes fixed as well. They're awful, I joined in 1999 (VR'd in 2000, 9 months after completing BOTC1) and I just barely made it as a V4....I think the medic. was being nice to me...I'm hoping to have the surgery well before I apply to give me a better chance.

Thanks for all the 'over 30" stories! Very helpful.

[WarriorMonk]

I joined at 42, finished BMQ(L) this summer at 43, and was awarded Top Candidate, go figure. 

Hurray for the old folks!  40 is the new 20.

[Diamondwillow]

Encouraging thread, thanks for sharing! I'm going through the process as well - at 42.   CFAT done, now waiting on the medical and interview appointments to be set up.  I've always been active but my biggest challenge is, and will be jogging 5k+...  (practice, practice, practice!)

[Nemo888]

Watch your joints and back. You don't heal like a young pup anymore. Vitamins and such helps you keep up. www.lef.org are my favourites.
P.S. Don't forget the extra protein. A gram per day per pound if you are really working it hard.

[NursyNurse]

Watch your joints and back. You don't heal like a young pup anymore. Vitamins and such helps you keep up. www.lef.org are my favourites.
P.S. Don't forget the extra protein. A gram per day per pound if you are really working it hard.

Excellent points. I am a 36 year-old woman who have been training for months for my upcoming BMOQ in October. I can now run well over 5 km, but my knees are not crazy about it at all.

So..I began taking supplements, and it seems to really work for me. With medical counseling, I began taking glucosamine + MSM + Omega (fish oil) on a daily basis. I also have a physiotherapy home program that aims to stretch and strengthen my knee joints. For the Appstore users, there is this great little app called Physiotherapy Advisor Exercices. It's not free, but for me, it was worth every penny. The best is to start progressively and to be consistent.

So yes, supplements can be very helpful. If you are taking any other type of medication (over the counter or not), best is to make sure your supplements will not interract negatively with your medication. Your doctor/pharmacist will be able to help you. My 2 cents.

Happy training !

[Diamondwillow]

Watch your joints and back. You don't heal like a young pup anymore.

Yes,  thank you for the input!  I can safely admit I don't *bounce back*  like I used to! (hell, I don't BOUNCE like I used to... period!)     I've been horseback riding more aggressively in an attempt to strengthen my core as well as help build my cardio while trying to keep things low impact.   I've started jogging *pieces* during my daily walks - slow and steady... and I've been pleasantly surprised I haven't been gasping for breath!   In a few weeks, pushups have gone from struggling to get the 10th one - to being able to fire off 20 and not think twice about it and sit ups aren't too much of an issue for me.  I'll definitely look into the vitamins and proteins as I am trying to trim down as well, any extra weight isn't my friend when trying to keep my joints in order...

[estoguy]

Good luck to everyone else who has posted in the thread.

Myself, I'm 34 this past summer and started the plunge.  Right now I'm a supply teacher/security guard.  I've gotten really tired with the lack of movement in teaching jobs in Ontario, and I've always had an interest in the military.  I feel like I'm spinning my wheels, and I really want to be challenged.  I'm looking to do the DEO route, preferably infantry, for the aforementioned challenge. 

I was inspired to finally put the application in after talking to a young private during census enumeration.  He told me that there were many men and women in the 40s and up that were in the same basic class as him.  For awhile, I felt like I might be too old, but that conversation really lifted me and got the fire going again.

I've been working out and researching about the professions I have already on my application.  The working out has flagged a little because of my schedule, but I'll be back at it this week.

At this point, I am stalled as I probably put in the application a little late in the year, and there was a delay with some financial aspects I needed to clarify with the recruiters.  But I spoke to the captain today from my RC and he strongly encouraged me to start contacting them after the new year, and to really step up contact by March.

To those of you in the process, the road is long, but you got to have some faith and persevere.  I'm sure if we all stick it out, we will be rewarded for our patience and determination!

All the best!

[fauntania]

Hey Wondergirl,

I haven't seen any postings from you in quite some time!   Does this mean you got in?  I'm hopeful for you!

It took me a long time - I applied in the end of January 2011, and I will be swearing in January 19, 2012!  But I finally made it, and I'm stoked about it - can't wait to get this show on the road!

Best of luck to you all, keep training (I can't even articulate how much I hate push ups, can't even begin!  LOL) and keep on keepin' on.   

[jasonf6]

I joined at 42, finished BMQ(L) this summer at 43, and was awarded Top Candidate, go figure. 

Hurray for the old folks!  40 is the new 20.

We had a guy who was 42 on my basic back in '95 and the guy was a push-up king.  He put everyone to shame.

[George2]

Hey Wondergirl! From reading your posts, I can tell you have an awesome character. Wish you good luck on your application!! 

[2PPCLI 1978]

you will do ok just be strong and reach deep down in side and give your all

[RangerRay]

I'm 37 and am contemplating going back to the reserves after 15 years.  Part of me really wants it, and part of me thinks my decrepit body couldn't take it again  .  As others have said, the body doesn't recover as quickly at 37 as it did at 19.  Reading these other posts from "mature" folk is helping, but I still wonder if my body could take the grind of QL 2 and QL 3.

[jasonf6]

I'm 37 and am contemplating going back to the reserves after 15 years.  Part of me really wants it, and part of me thinks my decrepit body couldn't take it again  .  As others have said, the body doesn't recover as quickly at 37 as it did at 19.  Reading these other posts from "mature" folk is helping, but I still wonder if my body could take the grind of QL 2 and QL 3.

I was released 3B back in 2005 after being on TCat for 3-yrs basically.  I am three references (good replies) away from my file being sent to Borden for approval/loading for RMS.  I'm 36 and I know Im not 100% (nobody is after surgery/injury) but I am positive I can take the grind of PRETC, SQ and QL3.  I just have to be careful and remember that Im not 18 and can't go jumping off tanks and HLs anymore.

[DogFighting101]

Hey Wondergirl,

I haven't seen any postings from you in quite some time!   Does this mean you got in?  I'm hopeful for you!

It took me a long time - I applied in the end of January 2011, and I will be swearing in January 19, 2012!  But I finally made it, and I'm stoked about it - can't wait to get this show on the road!

Best of luck to you all, keep training (I can't even articulate how much I hate push ups, can't even begin!  LOL) and keep on keepin' on.   

Hey, Congrats on the process, I'm starting BMQ on the 9th of January, so we'll prob see you when i reach week 5 or 6 (assuming the BMQ starts a week or so after the sworn in ^_^).

[SOES_v]

Just wanted to drop by and say hi. I am in the middle of BMOQ, and there are a number of candidates, here, that are between 35 to 45. And, I am impressed to say, some of them are running circles around the really young, arrogant, little poop's, in the troop! Keep working and don't give up, everyone! Only the recruiting centre and the course instructors have the power to hold you back. Keep working, follow your heart and desires, and I'm sure it will work out, or at the very least, you will have your fair shot.

BMOQ has been an adventure, thus far, and it is really neat to see how we are all coming together as a team, regardless of age and life experiences. That said, the "not as young" candidates are a real asset because their experiences, and their maturity. In particular the maturity, because it really shines through, and inspires everyone.

[estoguy]

Just wanted to drop by and say hi. I am in the middle of BMOQ, and there are a number of candidates, here, that are between 35 to 45. And, I am impressed to say, some of them are running circles around the really young, arrogant, little poop's, in the troop! Keep working and don't give up, everyone! Only the recruiting centre and the course instructors have the power to hold you back. Keep working, follow your heart and desires, and I'm sure it will work out, or at the very least, you will have your fair shot.

BMOQ has been an adventure, thus far, and it is really neat to see how we are all coming together as a team, regardless of age and life experiences. That said, the "not as young" candidates are a real asset because their experiences, and their maturity. In particular the maturity, because it really shines through, and inspires everyone.

Thank you for this post!  It has gotten my hopes up even higher and honestly, I'm looking forward to being someone that can be looked upon for guidance and inspiration, hence why I chose the DEO route.  Good luck in BMOQ... keep us posted on how its going!