Did the military help you get into shape, or did the military stop your fitness goals?

I'm an old timer, but I went to Infantry OSUT at 204 lbs and failing push ups on the initial PT test to 182 lbs six weeks later and above 240 on the APFT. I was doing better than that by the time I finished OSUT. After I commissioned, I showed up at what was then Infantry Officers Basic Course at 178 scoring above 280 on the APFT, I left at 164 and scoring 297 on my final test. Never could get 100 percent on the run.
Did I mention that I was 27 during OSUT and over 30 at IOBC.
I think that the APFT was only marginally effective in keeping you in shape to do what you need to do as an Infantry Soldier. The new test is a real step in the right direction if they actually start training to maximize the scores on that test.
Scoring 100% on the run on the 19 year old scale really didn't mean much when you were humping a 50 lb mountain ruck and a M60.

Depends. I had been working as a logger for better than a year before I enlisted, and cruised through basic. The running was a little challenging, but not too bad. If you are out of shape, it can be hell. As for the weight, I don't think I gained or lost a pound.

I think only people who were high school or college athletes before basic get slowed down. Your average high schooler who is doing PT every day and being physically active from sunup to sundown. While basic isn't hard, it is exhausting, and the PT and diet are consistent. Even the Drill Sergeants have to cycle on and off every other day to prevent from being burned out.