'Biggest Loser' creates fitness winners

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Frances Locquiao
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Throughout the past month, twenty-one teams have been participating in a program to lose weight, eat healthy and get fit.

The Freedom I Fitness Center's Biggest Loser competition assigns a personal trainer to meet with a team and provides classes to learn healthy living.

Tammy Turnmeyer, FIFC director and personal trainer, started the program three years ago after seeing successful results in the reality television show, "The Biggest Loser."

Each team consists of four people. After an initial assessment to record height and weight, the teams meet with their fitness trainer once a week.

Trainers use the assessment to make their own work-out plans. They modify the work-outs based on the condition of the group and individuals, said Mrs. Turnmeyer.

"During my training sessions, I like to incorporate useful exercises that you can do anywhere," she said. "That way, no one has an excuse not to work out."

Charlotte Butman, member of team "Phatty" and receptionist for the Youth Center, decided to participate in the program to get fit and become part of a team outside of work. 

"Our personal trainer works us hard," said Ms. Butnam. "She challenges us with cycling classes, track-running, circuit training and basic sit-ups and push-ups."

Other than the weekly sessions with their trainer, the teams work-out together once a week without their trainer. Throughout the week, each team member meets with their trainer individually.

"The teams are given a prescribed exercise plan to follow when their fitness trainer is not with them," said Tech. Sgt. Michael Francis, FIFC sports director. "They are also encouraged to attend healthy eating classes from the Health and Wellness Center."

The teams have a weigh-in every two weeks to track their progress and the most weight lost wins prizes such as bicycles and small ellipticals. Not only are the teams rewarded, the male and female who lose the most body fat percentage will win a prize as well.

"One of the challenges in organizing the program is working out the different schedules," said Mrs. Turnmeyer. "We have to fit their schedules to coincide with our normal duty schedules. Since many of the personal trainers are deployed, we have to assign multiple teams to one trainer."

Despite conflicts in scheduling, the program has been helping Moody members to be fit to fight.

"Our team has been encouraging each other to follow through with the program, even at work," said Mrs. Butman. "If we continue to try our hardest, then we have a chance to win."