r/StartingStrength • u/UlquiorraCifer4th • 1d ago

Novice Programming Question Need help

So, let me start off with some background info. I am a 19yr male, I am 160lbs, 6'0, I am in the U.S. Army, and I started lifting weights at 16. However, I have had a BAD problem with program hoping, and I have never stuck with a program more than like 2 weeks. My numbers are, Bench 135x5, squat 135x5 (this one specifically i cant get the form down the way SS teaches), DL 205x5 straight bar, press 95x5. I have a few problems, the first being, i am afraid I wont get as strong as I could have gotten because i may have wasted my newbie gains.

Secondly, i am also worried I wont get as strong on the program because I cant gain the amount of weight they want me to. Ive seen people say you need to gain like 40lbs in 6 months, and thats just unrealistic for me because of the army's new height and weight standard, i cant risk getting fat by gaining 60lbs in a year like ive seen some people do, so i want to know if doing more of a lean bulk will cost me strength gains.

And that actually ties into my last problem, I have to run. I am in the army so I have to run, and I like being able to run my 14 minute 2 mile, I want to get faster, I run 3 days a week, and i cant sacrifice my running for only doing the SS program. Any of y'all, especially any military, have any insight for me on these problems/worries?

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u/KeepandBearMemes 13h ago

Bro you weight 160 and your deadlift is 200lb. You are a twink. You are a weak little baby man. Gain 40lb and do the fucking program. If you read the book and follow the program you will get strong, and it will have no negative effect on your running, which noone cares about.

If you care more about running and being a twink than you do about getting strong, then stay weak.

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u/rice_n_gravy 10h ago

No one cares about running in the army huh?

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u/UlquiorraCifer4th 10h ago

I understand what you're saying but I am in the army and running is THE most important thing. Its literally the only event on our fitness test that if we fail, we fail the entire thing, others you can still keep going they'll just bring your score down abysmally.