Sweat, calorie counting pays off for SJ Biggest Losers

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  In just 90 days two members of Team Seymour shed a combined total of 60 pounds proving they had what it took to be the base's Biggest Losers.

Jamilah Alston dropped 25 pounds losing 15.44 percent of her body weight and Senior Airman Jayson Powers shed 35 pounds or 15.23 percent of his body weight.

Nearly 80 people signed up for the competition, but less than half reached the final weigh-in with positive weight loss numbers.

Beyond a desire to drop a few pounds, Mrs. Alston, Youth Center school-age teacher, had another force motivating her through the competition.

"I was trying to beat someone else who was in the competition, one of the males," she said.

In the end giving up sweet tea, soda and fancy coffees paid off; she not only beat her competitor she is now wearing size six pants. Despite winning the competition, Mrs. Alston's weight loss journey is not over.

"I plan to keep it off," she said. "I'm going to continue to do what I have been doing as far as my eating habits, drinking water and exercise (routines)."

In addition to giving up good foods, serious competitors had to make other sacrifices.

Trying to find time to come to the gym was challenging, said Airman Powers, 4th Communications Squadron airfield systems technicain. Since his office had to prepare for and participate in an exercise during the competition, to get his workouts in he would hit the gym during lunch and after work.

"I started riding my bike all over base," he said.

Now that the competition is over, Airman Powers does not plan on regaining his lost pounds.

The most rewarding part of this process is feeling healthier, he said. "I just went out and bought an elliptical (to keep the weight off)."

For more information about upcoming programs at the fitness center, call 722-0408.

Editors note: This is part two of a two part series about Seymour Johnson Airmen participating in the Biggest Loser competition.