Master Sgt. Teresa Sanchez: Motivation in motion

Courtesy Photo | Lt. Col Heath Tortarella and Master Sgt. Teresa Sanchez are all smiles after completing the Army Ten- Miler in Washington, D.C. on October 4, 2019. (U.S. Army photo courtesy of Master Sgt. Teresa Sanchez)  

ARLINGTON, VA, UNITED STATES

02.24.2020

Story by Annette P. Gomes 

Army Recovery Care Program

ARLINGTON, Va., -- Approximately five days a week, two hours a day, you can find Master Sgt. Teresa Sanchez hitting her local gym, her mission: becoming a size healthier.

“Some days it’s closer to an hour and half,” Sanchez laughed. “All jokes aside, I know that you have to put in the work, but it’s not about reaching a number [on the scale], more importantly it’s about how I feel.”

The Adaptive Reconditioning Action Officer for the Army Recovery Care Program recalled her current road to health and fitness beginning with her childhood memories.

“I come from a large family and food was a focal point for our gathering, particularly on Sundays. Growing up you think you are invincible and the weight will never pile on, but it does. During your youth, it’s so much easier to control. Then adulthood eventually sets in and stress, age and metabolism becomes the enemy,” Sanchez said.

Sanchez says incorporating the Army’s Performance Triad, which consists of physical activity (reaching at least 10,000 steps a day), sleep (sleeping a minimum of eight hours every night), and nutrition (eating at least eight servings of fruit and vegetables) has been a game changer for her.

“You have to look at it as having the whole pie, no pun intended. If these key components don’t exist together you’ll set yourself up for failure,” Sanchez said. “In my youth there wasn’t a sport I didn’t like so I reincorporated that into my daily routine. I began walking slowly, gradually adding weights and now I’m running up to three miles a day. The effort you put in will show in the end.”

In addition to her increased physical activity, Sanchez says she’s also committed to experiencing new activities such as tennis and golf.

“It’s getting easier and easier as the weight falls off. I was able to run the Army Ten-miler this past summer and I’m considering an upcoming marathon,” Sanchez said. “It’s important to keep setting new goals as a point of inspiration and motivation. I believe creating a realistic goal for yourself can be beneficial to what you’re trying to achieve.”

These days, Sanchez says it’s her family that’s also benefiting from her new commitment to health and fitness.

“Healthier eating has definitely found its way onto the dinner table,” says Sanchez. I spend a lot of time working out because the bottom line is that I have grandchildren now and I want to be around longer so I can spend time with them, along with my extended family and friends.”

The Warrior Care and Transition Program is now the Army Recovery Care Program. Although the name has changed, the mission remains the same: to provide quality complex case management to the Army's wounded, ill and injured Soldiers.
https://www.army.mil/article/231295/army_recovery_care_program_different_name_mission_the_same

• Date Taken: 02.24.2020
• Date Posted: 02.24.2020 15:57
• Story ID: 363767
• Location: ARLINGTON, VA, US