Misawa loses weight for big bucks

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Stefanie Torres
  • 35th Fighter Wing public affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Misawa members are brushing off their running shoes for a chance to win a great sum of money. 

With Misawa's version of the Biggest Loser Competition underway Jan. 16, those who have signed up are ready to drop that extra baggage and gain wallet weight. 

The Potter Fitness Center staff is also preparing to push fitness to another level. 

"Each team is assigned a personal trainer-certified staff liaison that will take them through the 10-week competition," said Mr. Jason Vandenberg, 35th Services Squadron fitness center director. Individuals who have signed up are also allotted a contracted trainer to help them reach their goal. 

"This should be an incremental, progressive program with goals set in the beginning so people know what exactly they are working for. It's always easiest to take it one step at a time and the trainers will help them with that," he said. 

Even with the short two and a half months, no one should go from zero to 60 in a work-out program, he explained. The fitness center will be requiring all members to attend equipment orientations, circuit training classes and aerobics classes added to the calendar specifically for Biggest Loser members. 

The Potter Fitness Center has teamed up again with the Health and Wellness Center to ensure everyone has exactly what they need to achieve these goals. 

"We are trying to give the competitors the proper information to lose weight the right way," said Tech. Sgt. Richard Goetz, flight chief for health promotions at the HAWC.
"Sometimes we run into situations where people try to lose weight drastically and it negatively affects their health to include serious illness." 

The HAWC has classes in nutrition, cholesterol, diabetes and hypertension. 

"The fitness center has added water aerobics to the schedule and the pro shop is giving discounts to everyone participating," said Mr. Vandenberg. 

The fitness center and the HAWC are structuring their programs not only for the 10 weeks, but for lifetime sustainability. 

"We want a program that provides healthy opportunities to keep the weight off for good," said Sergeant Goetz. 

With about 360 people signed up so far, this should give people a run for their money. Categories include four-person teams and individuals, with $2,000 going to the team and $500 to the male or female who lose the greatest percentage of weight at the end of the 10 weeks. 

"We'll be giving away over $5,000 in incentive prizes as well," said Mr. Vandenberg. 

For more information about classes offered at the HAWC, call 226-6653. The number to the Potter fitness center is 226-3982.