Lackland Air Force Base, Texas –
An eight-week challenge recently pitted two teams of fitness center staff members against one another in a bid to improve the overall fitness of the teams. This is their thoughts to date.
What have you learned about fitness from this challenge?
Steve Reichert - Red Team
More than learning about fitness, the challenge has served to reaffirm the concepts that I was already aware of. It has served to inspire me and give me a goal to strive for.
Dave Garcia - Red Team
It does not matter haw others see you, however how you feel and what you think on the inside are the biggest motivators.
Shashank Gokhale - Red Team
Fitness helps in more ways than you know. Not only do you look better, you get more disciplined, you feel energetic, & you start getting more restful sleep.
Dave Craig - Red Team
That the most important and most difficult part about this challenge is to transform this into a lifestyle change and not to return to normal after the challenge is over.
Antoinette Durden - Red Team
I have learned that motivation is the key factor.
Ken Hack - Red Team
I have learned that building a solid foundation of health, wellness and fitness for me has to be my priority. As the facility manager, it's very easy to make an excuse not to workout for a day. That is unacceptable. My workouts are an essential component of my everyday life. I have to wake up every morning and make the decision that I will workout, no matter what is going on for the day.
Celia Bautisita - Red Team
It would have to be team work. Working with a group has been great. Workout and diet - team work is the key.
Jared Ryan - Red Team
I have always been an active person and was physically fit prior to the challenge. However, I feel the great thing about this challenge is that it pushes you to put forth the effort to reach your goals. You can receive encouragement from others and have a workout partner, but if don't have it in your mind that you want to improve, then all the help in world will not amount to much.
Derrick Moore - Red Team
I have learned that it's important to be consistent in your workouts and to be goal orientated. You have to be able to push yourself on days you really don't feel like working out. You also have to have a positive mind set that will pay of at the end and will help us help others that have fitness questions or struggles.
Mike Duke - Red Team
I have been in the fitness industry for a long time, almost 13 years, so my answer may be different then most. I have learned that I have a long way to go to be as healthy as I should be. And that when you are having trouble finding the inner strength and motivation to keep going, draw strength from those around you that are trying to reach those same goals.
Osmar Alaniz - Blue Team
That it is a challenge to stay fit. Staying fit is not an easy task. The challenge has given me an invitation to compete within myself. It is provoking and testing me physically every day.
Jacqueline Dernst - Woodward - Blue Team
This challenge has taught me that there are many more aspects to physical fitness than I thought. To be physically fit you have to challenge your body in many different areas. My outlook on physical fitness has changed. Before it was about mileage and time. Now it is about endurance, flexibility, improvement, and how I feel physically and mentally after a workout. This challenge has taught me to how much more my body is capable of doing.
Fred Griffitts - Blue Team
No matter how old you are, with proper diet, a cardiovascular training program designed to help you with your specific goals, and a resistance training designed to compliment your cardiovascular program, you are can achieve your fitness goals.
Jim Wood - Blue Team
I have learned that fitness and being healthy is for every one, even me. I have high blood pressure and I have learned I have to workout a little differently now. My heart rate doesn't go up over 90 beats per minute even though I am working very hard. Where I have had to make my adjustment is the intensity of my weight training and a very solid eating regimen.
During the first month of this challenge I have made substantial gains as far as losing body fat (lost 6.4 percent) and adding lean muscle tissue (gained 11.8 lbs).
I have had to teach myself to eat. That is how we lose weight. Not by starving ourselves. The key is to eat clean. What I mean is to eat more natural and wholesome foods.
When you go to the grocery store, shop the perimeter. If you look around you will see all the natural stuff - produce, meat, dairy - are all on the perimeter. The more you move to the center of the store the more processed things are. Think about it.
Scott Lambaria - Blue Team
Even if you work out and believe you are "fit and in shape," testing and pushing yourself to another level makes you realize there is always room for improvement in your fitness regiment and lifestyle.
Paul Seay - Blue Team
I've learned that fitness isn't about being a huge body builder. It's about being healthy and looking your best.
James Johnson - Blue Team
Not to punish yourself. Working out shouldn't be a chore, but a personal responsibility.
Set new goals and reach new heights in your regimen will not only challenge you, but also improve your overall health and lifestyle.
Richard Brown - Blue Team
The fitness challenge has motivated me to get with it. I've started working out more, which has contributed to increased energy during daily duties and rest-filled nights.