Fitness programs help out Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kristen Rohrer
  • 60 Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AFB, Calif. --  The Air Force requires every Airman be Fit to Fight, but many dread the thought of a PT test and have difficulty passing due to poor fitness and nutrition.
Enter the Body Composition Improvement and Fitness Improvement Programs run by the Health and Wellness Center. 

"The Body Composition Improvement Program is offered directly through the Health and Wellness Center," said Lisa Webster, HAWC dietitian. "It is a two-part class that is mandatory for those members who have failed their PT test and whose abdominal circumference is greater than 40 inches for men and 35 inches for women, respectively."
The classes are designed for weight loss, endurance and BMI decreases," said Senior Airman Jonathan Godbay, 60th Medical Surgical Operations Squadron.
Airman Godbay joined the program weighing 245 pounds. After learning healthy eating habits and participating in cardio workouts while in the FIP class, he dropped 23 pounds in six weeks, now scores in the 90's on PT tests and will be a physical training leader for his flight. 

"The class taught me how to manage my calorie intake and what foods to avoid or reduce," said Master Sgt. Michael Routheau, 15th Air Mobility Operations Squadron and former program participant. "I learned just how bad my daily food consumption was. I learned how to change my diet to include more fruits and vegetables and to reduce the amount of fats and carbs I was consuming and changed my workout routine."
S
ergeant Routheau entered the program weighing 277 pounds with a 43.5 inch waist. After limiting his intake of foods like pasta and pizza and increasing his workouts from 30 minutes three times a week to 60 minutes, five times a week, he is down seven inches on his waist and has dropped 55 pounds. Sergeant Routheau added that seeing a difference continued to motivate him. 

BCIP has a required monthly follow-up at a minimum until members pass their fitness test and their abdominal circumference measurement falls within the standard, Dr. Webster explained. 

"During the monthly follow-ups, we reviewed our workouts and what we could do to improve them," Sergeant Routheau said. 

After achieving their results, both Sergeant Routheau and Airman Godbay had some advice for those involved in the programs or those who will be sometime in the future. 

"Make sure you give it 100 percent, because the payout is worth it," said Airman Godbay. "You can take advantage of these classes and turn your unhealthy living into healthy living and get back to a place you need to be." 

"I would definitely get involved with these programs to get results, lose weight, get in better shape and improve your health and well-being," Sergeant Routheau said. "I look better, feel better, my blood pressure is back to normal and my back and knee pain has improved." 

Both agreed that continuing workouts off duty has helped them attain and keep their goals. 

While the program is mandatory for those members indicated, all classes at the HAWC are open to anyone who would like to attend and gain increased knowledge and skills, said Dr. Webster. 

"For the program participants to be successful, they must be motivated to change behaviors and to adopt the skills necessary to make lifestyle changes for the long range," Dr. Webster said. "They must find the intrinsic reason within themselves to become not only Fit to Fight but ultimately Fit For Life. We, at the HAWC, come from a prevention point of view and are here to assist members in attaining their healthy lifestyle goals."