Break the Weight in '08 wraps up with loss

Photo By Giancarlo Casem | Maj. Thelma Brown uses weight lifting equipment at the Zone One Fitness Center. Brown...... read more read more

Photo By Giancarlo Casem | Maj. Thelma Brown uses weight lifting equipment at the Zone One Fitness Center. Brown took first place in the Camp Arifjan's Fitness Break the Weight in 2008 competition, Feb. 14. She received a plaque and T-shirt for her first place achievement. Brown lost 20 pounds and 6 percent body fact during the competition held Nov. 15, 2007, - Feb. 14, 2008. (U.S. Army photo/Master Sgt. Michele Hammonds)  see less | View Image Page

KUWAIT

02.26.2008

Story by Sgt. Giancarlo Casem 

50th Public Affairs Detachment

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As the pounds came off, Maj. Thelma Brown felt a weight lifted off her shoulders and off her mind, 18 pounds to be exact.

Brown, from the 1st Sustainment Command's (Theater) G1, lost the weight during the "Break the Weight in '08" program ran by a fitness center on Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.
Brown said the experience was a life-changing event for her.

"At age 39, I saw my hope and dreams for the future fading away. After three major surgeries in a year-and-a-half, I was out of shape, weak and mentally drained after having to face an illness, one that could only be cured by another surgery, according to the doctors," Brown said. "I had accepted the fact that I was condemned to a life filled with medical issues and pain."

Brown, from Alexandria, La., and serves as her section's strength manager, said her attitude towards life changed after she deployed to Kuwait.

"I decided to begin a new journey, one that has drastically changed my life's direction. From that moment everything just started to fall into place," Brown said. "On the first of September my new doctor prescribed me medication to control my medical problems. On the first of November he allowed me to start exercising again. The next day I saw the poster for the 'Break the Weight in 2008.'"

The program was the product of Lt. Col. Paul Allen, the former dietitian for Emergency Medical Facility – Kuwait. The out-going dietitian was able to see his program to the finish a day before his redeployment.

"The military has a goal of having a culture of fitness and this was to help push that along," Allen said. "That culture of fitness is paramount in my job and we know that when we are healthy and fit force we live longer and have less chronic decease."

Like many, Brown committed herself to the program, but admitted that at times she needed some external motivation.

"I began 'the 12 days of fitness' program two weeks early, and followed the nutrition and exercise regimen [Allen] provided us to the letter," Brown said. "I arrived at the gym by 4:30 every morning so that I could wait the recommended hour before eating breakfast. I also told my co-worker what I was doing; he was always there to keep me focused on my goal. On days that I didn't feel like exercising, he would knock on my door and drag me to the gym."

Allen and Brown both agreed that losing weight was a challenge on its own, however the holiday season yielded its own lumps of coal.

"The holiday season was the worst," Brown said. "Care packages, filled with sweets and snacks arrived daily to my office and [my co-worker] would quickly remove them to avoid the temptation."

Out of the more than 110 people that signed up, only about 35 people finished – an attribute to the challenge of losing weight and adopting a different lifestyle, Allen said.

"Everyone is ready to lose weight or adopt that fitness lifestyle at any point," Allen said. "One of my discussions with the participants that came to me regularly was that it has to be one of the most important things in your life."

Allen added that he was proud of all the participants.

"To adopt a culture of fitness or lifetsyle of fitness, these guys did that, they're happy with themselves," Allen said. "I can see the huge change from November to now, not just in their weight, but self esteem and overall out look on life."

Through all her hard work, Brown was rewarded with the total loss of 18 pounds and eight percent body fat.

"The challenge provided me with the motivation and power to improve my physical, spiritual and mental well-being. It has given me the strength and confidence to reach a little higher, push a little harder, and be successful in all that I set my mind to do," Brown said. "I can't stop smiling because I feel so good, both inside and out. I am now full of energy and have become a better mother and friend."