TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The FIT Health and Human Performance Program is set to begin its next eight-week session right after the New Year, on Jan. 9.
Since its inception in 2012, the class has evolved into an eight-week course focused around fitness and nutrition. A program to meet five days a week, designed for active duty members only, includes run conditioning, strength training, flexibility and core training. One day a week is designated for nutrition education.
Traci Fuhrman, an exercise physiologist with 72nd FSS, said that eight-week courses have proven to be the most beneficial after experimenting with four- and six-week sessions. Working with Health Promotions and incorporating nutrition education/behavior modification, she noted, was important in balancing a program for diet and exercise, and producing the best improvement results.
The 72nd Air Base Wing has stated a policy within, in which two failed PT tests in one year will cause you to enroll in the FIT Program. So, while everyone is not always motivated, Ms. Fuhrman said, a good percentage takes the course because they want to and because they’ve witnessed other people’s positive results.
Wendi Knowles, a registered dietitian with Health Promotions, explained that another change that has progressed the FIT Program is doing more physical testing and less medical testing. At the beginning and end of every eight-week program, participants are examined through the BodPod, an egg-shaped machine which measures body fat and fat free mass. Cholesterol and glucose levels are some of the things which were previously tested, but no longer are, Ms. Knowles said.
“We have condensed some of the pre-testing stuff to allow for more days to work out. It’s not cost effective to run some of those tests in an eight-week course.”
One of the biggest priorities in the FIT Program for the two instructors is to educate the participants about fitness and nutrition so that they are not in a position to fail.
“We love when people are looking to make a change on their own in advance, and we really push prevention the best we can,” Ms. Knowles remarked.
Staff Sgt. Jonathan, a flight equipment maintainer with the 552nd, is one of many participants who have experienced positive results, benefitting from the FIT Program.
“I had to do it because I failed a PT test, but I found it to be extremely beneficial. I was definitely miserable when I was doing the workouts — [Ms. Fuhrman] is really tough —but she is great at what she does, and I had a lot of fun in the end,” the sergeant said.
Calling himself the “skinniest, most out-of-shape guy,” the sergeant entered the program unable to perform 30 sit-ups and posted a run time a minute slower than what standards require. Passing only the waist measurement, the sergeant knew that the program was designed to give him the proper tools to allow him to get those numbers where they need to be.
At the end of the eight-week program, the sergeant had maxed out his number of sit-ups, shaved two and a half minutes off of his run time, trimmed an inch and a half off of his waist and lost almost 15 pounds. A FIT Program poster child, if you will.
“I recommend the program to anyone,” Sergeant Jonathan commented. “Since then, I’ve given up some of the bad things that led to me failing, and added things that are helpful in maintaining a healthier lifestyle.”
A smoker for the better part of 16 years, the air crew flight equipment maintainer is now almost four-months smoke-free. Someone who described his soda intake in metric tons has cut that and drinks nearly a gallon of water per day instead.
Like anything, the sergeant commented, you’ll get out of it what you put into it.
“Other people didn’t see the same results, but I was there every day and took it very seriously. I gave my best effort every time.”
The sergeant has since upheld a healthier lifestyle, thanks to the FIT Program. He now creates his own workouts and pays better attention to nutrition education. He’s also working towards his first half marathon, hoping to make the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon in April.
About six sessions are conducted throughout the year, averaging about 10 people per class.
“We would love to see more active duty take advantage of these free programs and have the participation increase to 20 or 25 per class,” Ms. Fuhrman remarked.
The program is open to all active duty members who are not on profile and also offers PT Leaders an opportunity to volunteer to lead classes alongside Ms. Fuhrman. PTL’s will receive hands on training, volunteer hours and practice at leading safe and efficient workouts for squadron PT.
To enroll, contact Traci Fuhrman at 734-5505 or enroll through your unit fitness program manager.