News

Fitness managers help Reservists maintain excellence

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Jake Chappelle
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. --  Some people outside of the military may not link "Reservist" and "fit to fight" in the same phrase, or even in the same paragraph.

For that reason, many people might not guess that half of the Reservists in the 446th Airlift Wing who had fitness assessments last year achieved an "excellent" score.

The fact is Reservists have to meet the same fitness standards as their active-duty companions; without the treat of unit physical training.

"One of the goals of our fitness program is to squash the myth that Reservists aren't as 'in shape' as the active duty," said Capt. Carrianne Culy, 446th Force Support Squadron assistant officer in charge, manpower and personnel flight. "Active-duty Airmen have fitness time built into their work schedule. Most Reservists don't have that luxury."

However, there are numerous sources at traditional Reservists' disposal that can help maintain the fitness level they've attained, get them from a "good" to an "excellent", or help them get a passing score.

"We have five (physical training leaders) in the wing who all hold some type of fitness certification, from personal trainers to group fitness instructors," said Culy. "There are also PTL's in each of the squadrons who are qualified to help members pass their test. Members are welcome to contact any of the wing or squadron PTL's for help or take home, customized workouts they can do during the week, with or without a gym."

According to Capt. Vanessa Balint,446th FSS,  MilitaryOneSource also has a variety of resources for Reservists.

"Everything from a dietician to a fitness advisor," said Balint.

She also recommends physical training during Reserve weekends, when schedules allow it.

"The wing offers group exercise sessions every primary UTA," she said.

Culy points out that there is yet another resource available to help Reservists stay fit in the upcoming months.

"We just purchased 100 TRX Suspension Trainer kits, which will be authorized for check out by members who attend the TRX training course, most likely held over the November UTA ," said Culy. "The TRX kits are workouts in a bag and can be done anywhere at any time with no additional equipment necessary. We will continue to incorporate pro-active measures into the 446th AW fitness program until the majority of our members are passing their test," she said.

In addition to fitness, maintaining a healthy diet is also key to a healthy lifestyle.

Tech. Sgt. Casey Muilenburg and Senior Airman Jennifer White, diet technicians with the 446th Aeromedical Staging Squadron, run an hour and a half nutrition and weight management class every other Reserve weekend to help Airmen understand proper nutrition and weight management techniques.

Good resources are not the only necessary ingredient to a health lifestyle, according to Culy, so is having a positive attitude.

"The biggest problem people have with sticking to a fitness or diet program is the fact that they look at it as just that - a program or a diet," said the Gig Harbor, Wash. resident. "When really what people need to do is make a lifestyle change. Most people have a goal, such as passing their fitness test. They work toward it, achieve it, then lose motivation to continue afterwards because they lack an end goal. Reservists need to take a look at small changes they can make in their lives to make them a healthier and more fit person."

Culy says some of these changes can be minor things in a person's daily routine.

"For someone who has trouble maintaining a healthy diet, try cutting one thing out at a time, such as soda or that afternoon Frappuccino and replace it with a healthier option," said Culy. "Slowly over time, making these small changes will equate to weight loss and a healthier lifestyle."

For Balint, diet might as well be considered another four-letter word.

"I am opposed to dieting because that is only a short-term fix," said the Tacoma resident. "I think of working out and eating healthy as the same as brushing my teeth. It's just something that is part of my day."

Balint sums it up in two sentences.

"We only get one body on this earth and we have to do our very best to keep it strong and healthy," said Balint, who has a two-year-old son. "People need to realize the long-term and lasting benefits a healthy diet and regular exercise can have on them if they want to stay motivated."

By the way, since taking over the wing fitness program in fall 2009, Balint and Culy have helped the wing drop the overall wing unsatisfactory testing rate from 40 percent to 9 percent this year.

For information on various health services MilitaryOneSource has to offer, visit http://militaryonesource.com/.

For more information on how to get started on a fitness and nutrition program, contact either Balint at (253) 982-9072 or Culy at (253) 982-2464.