I'm currently a reservist and would like to attempt selection at some point over the next couple of years.
Just wondering how much changes time wise even as a reserve?
Would I need to relocate? Does it basically become a full time job even as a reserve?
Thanks
EDIT: I've just found out I will be drug tested in 2 weeks. So now I've stopped smoking everything and this post has turned in to a how can I pass in 2 weeks instead
I used to smoke a lot of weed but stopped last year because of work. I get random workplace drug tests (at least once a year), so I decided it wasn't worth the risk.
I've been going through a difficult time recently and started craving a spliff again. Instead of going back to normal THC weed, I bought some CBD flower so I could still have something to smoke without getting high.
Unfortunately, I found a small amount of really weak THC weed that I'd had sitting around since last year and ended up smoking a few spliffs of it a few weeks ago. Since then, I've only been smoking CBD flower, H4 and CBN hash.
I recently took a home drug test, and it came back positive for THC.
Now I'm trying to work out whether this is likely to be from the THC weed I smoked a few weeks ago and it'll clear from my system soon, or whether the CBD flower, H4 or CBN hash could be causing the positive result. I've gone through about an ounce of these CBD products over the past few weeks.
Everything I've read suggests CBD itself shouldn't trigger a THC test, but I also know hemp products can sometimes contain trace amounts of THC. Has anyone had a similar experience?
If it helps, I've been ordering from HempElf.
Any advice or personal experiences would be appreciated.
Not looking for a complete set but a decent pack.
The games I enjoy the most are the ones that are like simulations or real life activities with realism.
I'm currently playing the eleven table tennis vr game and have a paddle attachment being delivered soon. I've never really played table tennis in real life but apparently it's very realistic, it would be cool if after lots of practice on VR I would also be good in real life.
I've also been playing the clay hunt vr shooting game, I've not got a gun attachment as they are expensive (ones with kick back etc) but I've gotten very good at the game, I have a real shooting lesson coming up to see how well it transfers.
Other games I like are things like king spray graffiti, it seems pretty realistic, also the top golf game, Im thinking of getting a club attachment for extra immersion and realism.
I wanted to try one of the pool games but I thought it might not transfer very well without a real table to lean on. The one I downloaded for free wasn't great.
Are there any others out there that you would recommend for being realistic and maybe could transfer over to a real life skill?
So basically chat GPT asked me a few questions like goals etc.
I explained that I want it to create me a gym plan for 4 days per week, roughly 1 hour each session.
In between I will be walking with dog and stretching.
My goals are to prepare for army training as I've recently joined the Army and eventually I want to work up towards Special forces selection. I'd also do some MMA training so anything that helps with that is also great (muay Thai, wrestling, BJJ).
I'd like to get in shape and also fitter which I'm sure will be a byproduct of these goals anyway.
I've told it that I've had experience with weight lifting before and have recently been running but otherwise never done much cardio.
I'm 178cm and 80kg. I'd like the workout to cover the next 2 months as after that I'll have an 8 week plan from the army which I will need to stick to.
The equipment I have:
Got pull up bar with adjustable rings on it.
Got a belt to add weight
Resistance bands.
Some thing you can put on your head and add weight to for neck exercises.
Dip bars.
Punch bag
Skipping rope
Dumbbells and barbells with like 90kg of weights.
Bench that lifts at the back for incline and also the leg attachments and attachment for bicep curls.
The pull up and dip bar thing outside.
Weighted vest 18kg
Ankle/wrist weights
The wheel for ab stuff
The 2 wooden calisthenics push up things.
Yoga mat.
2x 25l jerricans full of water.
I also have some bands that can lock in to the door gaps and have handles.
This is what it gave me:
8-Week Tactical Athlete + MMA Program
Built specifically for:
British Army preparation
Long-term SAS pathway
MMA athletic carryover
Strength + conditioning balance
Your home equipment setup
4 days/week
~1 hour sessions
---
Weekly Structure
Day Focus
Monday Strength + Power
Tuesday Conditioning + MMA Transfer
Thursday Strength Endurance + Athletic Muscle
Saturday Military Engine + Tactical Conditioning
Recovery days:
dog walks
mobility
easy shadow boxing
easy skipping
stretching
---
DAILY WARM-UP (5–8 mins)
Heat Up
Skipping x2 mins
OR
light jog
---
Mobility
Hip circles x10
Leg swings x10
Arm circles x10
Thoracic rotations x10
Deep squat hold x30 sec
---
Activation
Push-ups x10
Band pull-aparts x15
Glute bridges x15
Dead hang x30 sec
---
MONDAY — Strength + Power
A. Weighted Pull-Ups
5 x 5
Alternative:
bodyweight
band assisted
Rest: 2 mins
Progression: Add small weight when all reps achieved.
---
B. Bulgarian Split Squats
4 x 8 each leg
Heavy dumbbells/barbell.
Controlled lowering.
---
C. Weighted Dips
4 x 6–8
Alternative:
ring dips
bodyweight dips
---
D. Romanian Deadlifts
4 x 8
Moderate-heavy.
Focus:
glutes
hamstrings
trunk stiffness
---
E. Push Press
3 x 5
Explosive overhead press using leg drive.
Athletic movement.
---
F. Farmer Carries
4 rounds
40–60 sec carries.
Use:
dumbbells
jerrycans
barbells
Heavy but controlled.
---
G. Neck Work
2 rounds each:
Flexion
x15
Extension
x15
Side Flexion
x15 each side
Controlled reps.
---
TUESDAY — Conditioning + MMA Transfer
A. Skipping
5 rounds:
2 mins work
1 min easy
---
B. Fartlek Run
(Progression at bottom)
---
C. Punch Bag Work
5 x 3 min rounds
Focus:
movement
combinations
breathing
pace control
1 min rest.
---
D. MMA Athletic Circuit
4 rounds:
Sprawls
x10
Explosive Push-Ups
x10
Hanging Knee Raises
x12
Band Rotational Punches
x15 each side
Rest: 60–90 sec
---
E. Anti-Rotation Core
Pallof Press Hold
3 x 12 each side
Controlled movement.
---
F. Core Finisher
Ab Wheel
3 x 10–15
Side Plank
3 x 45 sec each side
---
THURSDAY — Strength Endurance + Athletic Muscle
A. Pull-Up Density Work
25 total reps.
Complete in as few sets as possible.
Examples:
5x5
8/7/5/5
---
B. Incline Dumbbell OR Barbell Bench Press
4 x 8–12
Controlled reps.
Athletic pressing focus.
---
C. Dumbbell Walking Lunges
4 x 20 steps
---
D. Barbell Rows
4 x 10
Strict reps.
---
E. Step-Ups
3 x 12 each leg
Use:
bench
dumbbells
vest if appropriate
Excellent military carryover.
---
F. Ring Push-Ups
2 x near failure
Controlled.
---
G. Shoulder Durability
Band Face Pulls
3 x 20
Band External Rotations
2 x 15
---
H. Grip Finisher
Dead Hangs
3 max holds
Towel Pull-Up Hold
2 holds
Excellent for:
grappling
military grip
pulling endurance
---
SATURDAY — Military Engine + Tactical Conditioning
PART 1 — Long Engine
Preferred Option
Weighted Vest Walk / Ruck
45–90 mins.
18kg vest.
Steady pace.
DO NOT run with vest.
---
Alternative
Long Easy Run
45–60 mins.
Conversational pace.
---
PART 2 — Tactical Circuit
5 rounds:
Push-Ups
x20
Pull-Ups
x8
Goblet Squats
x20
Burpees
x10
Bear Crawl
20m total
(Use hallway if needed.)
Rest: 90 sec
Steady effort. Not maximum intensity.
---
PART 3 — Jerrycan Carry Complex
3 rounds:
Farmer Carry
30–45 sec
Front Carry
30 sec
Suitcase Carry
30 sec each side
Minimal rest.
---
PART 4 — Optional Band Finisher
Speed Punches
3 rounds:
20 sec nonstop
40 sec rest
Fast relaxed punches.
---
PART 5 — Mobility
10 mins
Focus:
hips
ankles
thoracic spine
shoulders
---
FARTLEK PROGRESSION
WEEKS 1–2
30 mins total.
Easy jog — 3 mins
Moderate run — 1 min
Repeat.
Moderate means: hard but sustainable.
NOT sprinting.
---
WEEKS 3–4
35 mins total.
Easy jog — 2 mins
Hard run — 1 min
Easy jog — 2 mins
Fast relaxed stride — 30 sec
Repeat.
---
WEEKS 5–6
40 mins total.
Easy — 2 mins
Hard — 90 sec
Easy — 2 mins
Fast surge — 20 sec
Repeat.
The 20 sec effort: fast but controlled.
---
WEEKS 7–8
40–45 mins total.
Moderate steady — 5 mins
Hard push — 2 mins
Easy — 2 mins
Fast surge — 30 sec
Repeat.
This phase builds:
recovery under fatigue
military endurance
fight conditioning carryover
---
PROGRESSION RULES
Strength
Progress by:
adding small weight OR
adding reps
DO NOT constantly fail reps.
---
Conditioning
Progress by:
smoother breathing
better pace
better recovery
more total work
NOT by destroying yourself.
---
Carries
Increase:
time
posture quality
control
before chasing huge weight.
---
IMPORTANT RULES
Pull-ups are a priority
Massive carryover for:
military
grappling
trunk strength
---
Carries are mandatory
One of the best things for your goals.
---
Most conditioning should NOT feel maximal
Elite endurance is built mostly submaximally.
---
Keep explosive work crisp
Don’t grind explosive reps.
---
Recovery matters
Sleep and consistency will massively affect your results.
---
EXPECTED RESULTS AFTER 8 WEEKS
Better conditioning
Better recovery
Leaner naturally
Stronger pull-ups/dips
Better grip endurance
Stronger trunk and neck
Better athleticism
Better movement under fatigue
More tactical/combat-athlete feel
Better military readiness
I’m currently self-studying a university course and hitting a wall just reading the textbook. I have the PDFs, but I’m looking for an AI where I can upload the files and have it actually teach me interactively—not just give me "key points" or summaries.
Ideally, I want to be able to:
Go through the book section by section.
Ask it to "explain this like I'm 5" or give real-world examples.
Have it quiz me on specific details to make sure I actually get it before moving on.
Ask follow-up questions when a concept doesn't click.
Has anyone found a tool that handles large PDFs well and acts more like a tutor than a search engine?
I've started using NotebookLM, the podcast feature is cool but looking for something I can have a conversation with that can go through the pdf completely unit by unit.