Red Tail Fitness: Long-term fitness, not overnight success

Courtesy Photo | Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Davalos, 332nd Expeditionary Force Support Squadron chief enlisted manager, instructs Staff Sgt. Jennie Garza, 332nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron Logistics Plans NCO in charge, on proper form and technique while performing an overhead squat. Davalos has helped Garza lose 14 pounds and become more physically fit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Val Abella)  

SALAH AD DIN, IRAQ

10.10.2011

Story by Master Sgt. Jennifer Seidl 

332d Air Expeditionary Wing

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Fitness is achieved through setting reasonable goals and taking action to accomplish them, not by fantastic requirements attempted overnight.

Staff Sgt. Jennie Garza, 332nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron Logistics Plans NCO in charge, can attest to that.

"I have been here just under two months and I try to watch what I eat and keep the starches and bad fats to a minimum," said Garza, who comes to Joint Base Balad from Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. "So far I have lost 14 pounds."

Another known fact about fitness and weight loss is that it helps to have a buddy. In Garza's case, she had the help of Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Davalos, 332nd Expeditionary Force Support Squadron chief enlisted manager.

"I started doing CrossFit and 40 or more miles a week in cardio with Chief Davalos," she said.

"I met Chief Davalos at an introduction CrossFit class and he assisted me with the right posture and form during drills," continued the Calcium, N.Y. native. "Then he told me he taught Sundays, so I decided to attend those classes, since I felt comfortable with his teaching style. Every class he had something new and gave tips on what to do on your own and I listened."

Davalos is an experienced fitness mentor.

"I have 28 years experience working with Air Force fitness programs, I spent 17 years as the fitness program manager at the Pope AFB Health and Wellness Center and was the Air Mobility Command fitness consultant for five of those years," said Davalos, who is deployed from Joint Base Charleston, S.C. "I am certified by the American College of Sports Medicine, National Strength and Conditioning Association and CrossFit Level 1."

Garza said she has been interested in becoming more fit as a personal goal that would help her in her career and avoid the health problems of her family history.

"I am married and have two boys. I am just trying to become and stay healthy for my family," she said. "My husband and I want to set the example for my kids, so they stay healthy and active."

"I wouldn't have been able to do it without Chief Davalos's encouragement and he didn't criticize or judge me, which helped because it made me feel comfortable to participate in CrossFit," continued Garza. "Plus I learned great techniques to help me in the future."

"Fitness is a lifelong commitment and I want to help anyone who is interested in learning and improving their health and fitness," said Davalos, who is a native of San Francisco, Calif. "The more fit an individual is, the more work they can do and they can recover faster after a long hard day at work."

Editor's note: No federal endorsement intended.

• Date Taken: 10.10.2011
• Date Posted: 10.10.2011 10:49
• Story ID: 78277
• Location: SALAH AD DIN, IQ