Grand Forks contestants continue "SOAR-ing" into shape

  • Published
  • By Tim Flack
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  One more mile on the treadmill, another lap in the pool and one last helping of vegetables for the day.

For four weeks, hundreds of base residents have been sweating their way through the Soar Into Shape fitness challenge co-sponsored by the Health and Wellness Center and the Fitness Center.

They've been pushing themselves through the paces in the gym, diligently tracking every calorie consumed and educating themselves in the 19 different health-related classes offered with the program.

And it's paid off: those seeking to lose weight dropped a combined 540.1 pounds in the first two weeks.

But for those running the program, including Health Promotion Manager Leah Melquist, success isn't measured in pounds. Instead, they're hoping to influence participants to make permanent lifestyle changes that will result in a healthier community.

Hearing people say that they finally realize how important it is to track their calories, to eat healthier and to work out is "my favorite part," said Melquist.

"We have won the program," if we convince people to make those changes, she said.

Like any other fitness program, there have been people who've dropped out, Melquist said.

When the challenge began Feb. 27, there were 86 teams and 67 individual competitors. A month into the work, there are still 70 teams and 38 individuals.

"People start to realize what it takes to stick with it," Melquist said.

She believes the drop-out rate was higher with individuals then teams because being a member of a team comes with responsibility to the teammates.

"It's better to be part of a team because you're more likely to stick with it," she said. "The retention rate is better than last year. There's just more buzz."

People have been telling Melquist how glad they are to be involved. They said that knowing how they should eat and train to improve fitness is one thing, but putting it into practice is another, Melquist said.

And the goal isn't a "Biggest Loser" type of contest, which she believes can create unhealthy lifestyle choices for extreme weight loss. Participants in the Soar program first chose whether they wanted to lose or maintain their weight. Those who wanted to drop pounds developed realistic goals, a pound or two a week.

One thing that people have struggled with is "eating back the calories," she said. The online program participants are using to track the calories they consume and burn lets them know exactly where they are for their goals for the day, she explained.

Some believe that going way under the calorie mark will mean quick weight loss, she said. But the opposite can happen, and when metabolic rates drop the body goes into starvation mode and holds onto the weight. While it might seem counterintuitive, it's crucial to eat the caloric goal for the day, she said.

Dietician Jennifer Haugen agreed, saying she's heard the same thing when counseling people involved in the program.

The good thing is that people have greatly increased the amount of fruits and vegetables their eating, since that was added as a way to earn points in this year's challenge, Haugen said.

Melquist said that for many, the obstacle course challenge held about a week into the program was an eye-opener. Two laps around the gym doing lunges, crunches, push-ups, mountain climbers, step-ups and other exercise seemed too daunting at first glance, she said.

Many doubted they could make it, but were incredibly happy that they tried, no matter how long it took, Melquist said. And completing the obstacle course gave a lot of participants a big boost of confidence, something that will help in their own "weight loss journey."

What she hopes people are taking away from Soar is that this doesn't end after nine weeks. Instead, she's hoping that people are making lifelong changes to the way they treat their bodies.

The challenges will end April 27, and all who complete the program will be awarded a SIS t-shirt and incentive prizes earned during participation.