Losing big never looked so good: and so it begins

  • Published
  • By Maj. Shannon Mann
  • 916th Public Affairs Office
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- --  Editor's note: This is the first in a three-part series. Additional articles will post in early March and at the end of April.

Losing isn't the goal of most sports programs.

In fact, winning is what secures careers and make legends.

In January, the Seymour Johnson Health and Wellness Center started a three-month program to award some of the base's biggest losers.

This might surprise some on a base where you're greeted at the gates by the wing's motto, "Fourth but First." Losing just isn't an option here.

But for more than 40 active duty and Reserve Airmen, DoD civilians and dependants it is their best option.

On January 25, the HAWC launched the Biggest Loser Competition to help the populace of Seymour Johnson lose weight and gain knowledge in the areas of fitness and nutrition. Informational meetings were held by Fitness Assessment Cell advisors and the base nutritionist a week before the competition officially kicked-off.

"The more effort you put into it, the more you're going to get out of it," Staff Sgt. Corey Wilson, FAC advisor, said to a crowd gathered to learn the ground rules.

To ensure everyone has a chance to excel the competition isn't just about weight loss. There is a point battle as well.

Participants can earn points for keeping a daily food journal, staying within their caloric intake limits and by taking fitness challenges. The challenges range from earning one point for completing a one-mile run to earning four points by taking the base's talked-about Boot Camp class.

Weekly results are emailed to participants, but the use of nicknames helps protect contestants identities. In addition to weekly emails that track results and offer fitness tips, motivation also comes in the form of before and after photos.

"We all need motivation to get started," said Staff Sgt. Crystal Frazier, Seymour Johnson nutritionist.

Frazier spent an hour with the participants explaining portion sizes, labels, good food choices and goals.

"If you walk in with your journal saying you ate a large pizza on Monday and Kentucky Fried Chicken on Tuesday then we'll give you some recommendations for improvement," Frazier said.

She gave participants a new method for keeping track of portions. In the past the Food Pyramid was the norm for tracking serving sizes and types of food, but today the new pyramid is a plate. Frazier provided hand-outs with a picture of a plate that offered a breakdown for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

"Remember, this is a nine-inch plate, not a 40-inch plate," Frazier said. She stressed the importance of tracking calories. Letting the participants know that most women need 1200-1400 calories a day for proper weight loss and that men need 1500-1700 a day to lose weight.

"Your food record is about being honest," said Frazier. "You need that so that you can look at it and make improvements. It's a behavior change."

Participants started with an initial weigh-in and tape and report to the HAWC weekly for the next three months to monitor their progress. The top male and female finishers in weight loss and accumulated points win prizes.

Staff Sgt. April Ruffin, a flight service center technician with the 4th Fighter Wing Logistics Readiness Squadron, looks fit, but explained her motivation to join the competition was to help her with the fitness test.

"I want to lose weight around my waist," Ruffin said. "When you're lighter you run faster."

The 24-year-old also said that women can be very critical of themselves, "You look at yourself and say, 'I can look better.'" She has two other co-workers joining her in the quest for weight-loss victory.

While the prizes are a dangling carrot for participants, other motivating factors are evident. Wilson put it in perspective though telling the participants the prizes were arbitrary. "The best prize is a new you."