commissioning in 2011?

i graduated last december and am in a critical care nurse residency with a contract that ends in september 2011. i seriously plan on going navy after i'm finished my contract but i have a couple of questions

1. i'm slightly oversized and need to lose weight, even when i was an athlete i was overweight so i need to pass tape. any tips for losing 5-8% body fat?

just the standard way, eat less, exercise to include strenght training.

2. i haven't done much traveling and was considering travel nursing as well. would going reserve for 4 years or so while travel nursing and then switching to active duty be possible?

yes, you just have to go thru the whole board process all over again. as long as you are a good soldier it will not be an issue.

3. i only have an adn and a bs in another area so i have to go back and get my bsn. if i start next year i would finish in august 2011. i know the fiscal year starts in october so when would be best to start talking to a recruiter and getting paper work done for me to be in the october 2011 class?

no, the best time to start working with a recruiter would be 1 year from graduation from your bsn program. the process of appling for the military services is a long drawn out process which takes anywhere from 6-9 months.

i know this seems far off timewise but i'm a compulsive planner. any help would be so appreciated.

xxxxx

jeckrn had great input - only alibi is that you can start working prior to 12 months out from bsn graduation in order to actually submit your packet at the 12 months out... other options would be junior year you could apply to be a 'student nurse' in the army or navy - and gain a monthly stipend for those remaining two years.. however it makes a bit more financial sense to enter in at the 12 month mark and to avoid the student nurse option.

I 100% agree with body fat loss.. calories in vs calories out... increase BMR... stay away from fads, diet gimmicks and supplements.... it just requires 'work' and over time get that BMR to increase - get more lean muscle leads to burning more calories- and continue down that feedback loop~

v/r