Are you a loser? Lean Challenge campaign ends with mass weigh-ins Published Oct. 3, 2007 By Lt. Col. Dave Parr 72nd Operational Support Squadron Commander TINKER AIR FORCE BASE -- In years past, nobody wanted to be a loser. That was a name someone called you in elementary school if they thought you weren't cool. How times change? Since the airing of NBC's "The Biggest Loser," folks across America have been shedding pounds to be called "The Biggest Loser." Here at Tinker Air Force Base, October concludes the Lean Challenge Campaign with mass weigh-ins next week (see exact schedule on page 3a). The hope was that each participant would donate at least 10 pounds to wellness. I personally can't wait until early October to see the results of a slimmer Tinker. There is great reason to support each other in shedding those unwanted pounds. The obesity statistics are absolutely staggering. There are 300 million people living in America today, and according to the recent obesity statistics, 58 million are classified as overweight, another 40 million are obese and an additonal 3 million are morbidly obese. Additionally, more than 25 percent of all Americans are considered totally sedentary. That means their total daily exercise includes walking to their car or walking from the couch to the fridge for something else to eat. Furthermore, a full eight out of 10 Americans over age 25 could afford to donate unneeded weight. I can think of no better wingman activity than to encourage a friend to begin a regular exercise program and to eat healthier meals. And Tinker is the perfect place to try and begin the "new you." The Tinker Health and Wellness Center would be an excellent first stop to get information on losing weight and eating healthy. They can also help you stop smoking. Their facility is loaded with tons of brochures and information about living a healthier life. Good luck to the 600 Tinker participants who will conclude their Lean Challenge in early October, but for those who participated, this will hopefully just be the beginning of a life-time change towards healthier living habits. For those who didn't sign-up for this year's Lean Challenge, no problem: grab a wingman and work-out partner, get to the HAWC, then visit the gym or the running trails at least three times a week for more than 30 minutes per workout and you'd be amazed at the transformation not only physically, but emotionally and socially as well. Even the fourth wellness engine, the spiritual engine, could be greatly uplifted by getting outside and spending time working out in the great outdoors. Thanks for supporting the Tinker Lean Challenge, thanks for taking the time to focus on a healthier you and thanks for making Tinker such a great place to work and live. And as always, continue to be great wingman and support the "Tinker 500" goals of: 100 percent have a Wingman; 100 percent Financial and Family Readiness; 100 percent elimination of suicides and suicide attempts; 100 percent live by 0-0-1-3 (zero underage drinking--zero DUIs--one drink per hour--three maximum drinks per day) and 100 percent full power of the four wellness engines: emotional, physical, spiritual and social. Please contact me at anytime if you have any questions about the Integrated Delivery System programs or any other wingman activities at Tinker.