Soar Into Shape: Challenge accepted

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Susan L. Davis
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  When I first heard about the Soar into Shape program a few months ago, I knew I had to jump on it when it came around again.

I joined a team with two co-workers from my office, and this is our first full week participating in the program. If it has done one thing already, it has kept me accountable and motivated, especially since I have teammates counting on me, and a series of articles for publication detailing my experiences.

At the orientation, Leah Melquist, Grand Forks AFB Health and Wellness Center health program manager, broke down the rules of the challenge and explained the points system.

Attending orientation alone was worth 20 points. Nutrition and exercise earn you points as well; cardiovascular exercise is worth 2.5 points per 30 minutes, for a maximum of 5 points per day. Strength training is worth one point per body area, for a maximum of three points per day.

For nutrition, participants are encouraged to consume fruits, vegetables and water, and stay within 500 calories of their goal daily caloric intake.

Wellness challenges (pool and obstacle course challenges) are worth up to 100 points apiece; Healthy lifestyle classes are worth 20 points each for a maximum of 80 points; Fitness center, HAWC and pool fitness classes are worth five points apiece. Participants may also earn 10 points per person at each weigh-in.

My first big step on the program following the orientation session was setting up a myfitnesspal.com account, which is helpful for keeping track of food and exercise. As I browsed my smart phone app store looking to download the application, it said that it has been downloaded by more than 10 million users, and almost 250,000 users have submitted five-star reviews, so I have high hopes.

On the sign-up screen, after calculating my height, weight, and weight-loss goals, My Fitness Pal informed me that my target calorie consumption per day should be about 1,240, and calories burned during five one-hour workout sessions a week should be 1,600 in order to create a calorie deficit and lose five pounds by April 8.

One of the first things the program asks when new subscribers log in for the first time is about their goals and reasons for wanting to lose weight and get fit. I listed mine as maintaining and improving a healthy weight and body image, and improving my overall physical fitness.

I made a 93 out of a possible 100 points on my last fitness test in June, my first time ever earning an 'excellent' score on a fitness test. It was one of the proudest accomplishments of my Air Force career, especially considering I had once failed a fitness test before early on.

For so long after that, I had tried to reconcile my desire to get into shape with my poor genetics and sometimes lack of commitment and discipline.

But then something finally clicked, and fitness became a reflex, like breathing or eating. Maybe it's because I've experienced the shame and the burning spotlight of failure; the dread of knowing that in another 90 days, I'd be right back at the Fitness Assessment Cell with a colored jersey on, unsure whether I would make it out with a passing score.

On the other hand, I've also experienced the exaltation of coming out on the other side of a PT test knowing that I gave it everything I had, the relief of knowing I would have a whole year before I had to experience the anxiety and the pressure of another fitness test, and I never looked back.

The first challenge came for me and one of my other teammates Tuesday at the base pool, where contestants had the option to swim a number of laps on the shallow end or the deep end and perform various exercises each time they completed a lap. Between the two of us, we earned a combined 110 points, split three ways for each team member, giving us a grand total of just over 36 points for the challenge.

Soar Into Shape reinforces the need for personal accountability, which I'm sure will pay off, if not in points at the end of the program, then certainly in increased health, wellness and fitness benefits. The next seven weeks will continue to bring additional challenges, some of which I may find very difficult, but as Winston Churchill once said, "The pessimist finds difficulty in every opportunity, but the optimist finds opportunity in every difficulty."

Editor's Note: Soar into Shape directly supports the Air Force's Comprehensive Airman Fitness Program, which is designed to build and sustain a thriving and resilient Air Force Community that fosters mental, physical, social and spiritual fitness.