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“I’m trying to lose weight,” said Electrician’s Mate 1st Class Jacob Brown, assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78). “I was big into sports and fitness up until I graduated high school. Then I kind of just fell off for a while. I got married and ate delicious food. I got heavy,” said Brown, about the struggles of maintaining his weight.
“Responsibilities abandoned today will return as more acute crises tomorrow,” said President Gerald R. Ford during a speech in December 1975.
Some Sailors, like Brown, take President Ford’s quote to heart and use it as one of their inspirations in staying physically fit while underway.
“Exercise has become more important to me because I have four kids at home,” said Brown, from Dayton, Ohio, the leading petty officer assigned to the electrical division of Ford’s engineering department. “I’m trying to stay healthy for the family.”
Brown said his mind often drifts to thoughts of home when at sea, and that his dedication to his fitness routine helps him be not only a better Sailor but also a better husband and father.
“Family is my main driver in life,” said Brown, when it comes to motivating himself to exercise. “I’ve got four kids and a wonderful wife. My wife is really into fitness, so I’ve got to try and keep up with her. She’s trying to outdo me. That’s why I [exercise] every day.”
Brown said he would like to set an example for his Sailors and his family. Having a consistent exercise routine, while at sea, helps him stay physically fit and develop healthier living habits.
“I lift chest and back on Monday, shoulders and arms on Tuesday, legs on Wednesday, then repeat,” said Brown. “It’s a six-day workout.”
According to a recent Harvard Medical School study, stress can be felt in a number of ways including restlessness, anger, dread, irritability, worry and panic. Symptoms of stress can manifest in the body in the form of headaches, heartburn and muscle tension.
“Working out is my best stress reliever,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Devan Batie, assigned to Ford’s air department. “When I’m walking down the ladder wells and my legs are shaking, it’s because I worked legs that day. That’s when I know the stress is gone. I feel loose and so much better.”
Physical exercise helps your brain release endorphins like dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin, said Dr. Jeane Segal, a therapist and author on mental health. Dr. Segal advises exercise as a way to improve one’s mood and help people break the cycle of negative self-talk and the feeling of fatigue.
“My day is more energetic when I work out,” said Brown. “If I start off the day with a work out, my energy level is higher for when I meet the division.”
While Ford is underway Sailors participate in competitive sporting events in order to build comradery. Examples of the sporting events include five kilometer races, 1,000-pound weight lifting challenges and fireman’s carry relays.
“When we are out to sea, it’s 24/7,” said Brown. “Sometimes you have down time. I’ve decided to spend that time working out. It keeps the days going by a little faster.”
Batie sets personal fitness goals to help himself stay motivated through the long days. “Achieving fitness goals help me gain a sense of physical mastery and discipline over my body,” said Batie.
“My husband is really into Jiu-Jitsu, CrossFit and bodybuilding,” said Batie, a second-degree black belt in taekwondo himself. “I’m just trying to keep up with him. I am trying to get up to 180 pounds. I’m like 160 right now; I’m trying to get cut. I want my chest to fill out and I want my arms to be a little bigger too.”
Gerald R. Ford is a first-in-class aircraft carrier and the first new aircraft carrier designed in more than 40 years. Ford is currently underway conducting testing in the Atlantic Ocean.
For more news from USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), visit www.dvidshub.net/unit/CVN78 or www.facebook.com/USSGeraldRFord
| Date Taken: | 01.20.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 01.25.2020 14:05 |
| Story ID: | 360382 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 48 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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