Photo By Sgt. David Hodge | Phyllis Ward, the Morale, Welfare and Recreation supervisor for Forward Operating Base...... read more read more
Subscribe
By Sgt. David Hodge
1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Sixteen Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers recently finished the first Falcon Body for Life fitness challenge, Sept. 23, 2008, at Forward Operating Base Falcon in southern Baghdad.
Soldiers from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, entered the nationwide contest, a 12-week-long workout routine and diet, in June to introduce a positive lifestyle change.
The program acts as an awakening for Soldiers, said Phyllis Ward, the Falcon Morale, Welfare and Recreation supervisor. It shows Soldiers what a step in the right direction can do for them.
The program outlines a fast-paced exercise routine that combines upper and lower body workouts with cardio fitness training and a six meal per day, portion-controlled diet, said Ward.
Ward, who has been involved with helping Soldiers achieve their fitness goals since 1999, said she believes the Soldiers see a positive difference in the first four weeks after starting the program, and it is a big morale booster for them.
"If people feel better about themselves, they can be more productive and feel better while doing it," said Ward, who hails from Waynesville, Mo. "I think the program is very empowering."
At the beginning and end of the program, each participant has photographs taken to be used as a comparison, said Ward.
"They feel like they have accomplished something good in a short amount of time," added Ward, who is a certified personal trainer, fitness coach and author.
Several Soldiers experienced 20-pound reductions in weight and double-digit decreases in body fat during the 12 weeks, said Ward.
"This challenge helped me tremendously," said Master Sgt. Alfredo Pacheco, the brigade linguist manager, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div. "It is the easiest way for me to lose body fat."
Pacheco, who hails from Ponce, Puerto Rico, recorded a four percent reduction in body fat, which brought his total to 11 percent.
"It was difficult, but I wanted to look and feel better," he added.
Many of the program's participants entered to reduce their overall body weight.
"I was trying to gain weight while at the same time lose body fat," said Sgt. Benjamin Buskill, assistant personnel services non-commissioned officer, assigned to HHD, 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B.
Buskill was curious to see what the program could do for him, so he decided try it out.
"I went to the orientation and saw the before and after photos and thought to myself – they did that in only 12 weeks," explained Buskill, a native of Culpeper, Va.
Buskill added 10 pounds while losing 3.5 percent of his body fat during the challenge.
"I am happy with the results of the program," he stated. "I have a Soldier who is going to enter it next time, and I am going to do it again to motivate them."
A ceremony to congratulate the finishers and recognize the Soldiers with the most significant progress is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 28, 2008.
| Date Taken: | 09.24.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 09.24.2008 06:12 |
| Story ID: | 24063 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 313 |
| Downloads: | 286 |
This work, Raider Soldiers compete in Forward Operating Base Falcon's first Body for Life fitness challenge, by SGT David Hodge, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT