Top fitness performer shares ‘Biggest Loser’ experience Published June 15, 2010 By Senior Airman Alex Martinez 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- "Incirlik's Biggest Loser" competition wrapped up June 5, naming a top female performer: Staff Sgt. Marisa Shields, 39th Medical Support Squadron. Sergeant Shields, knowing she had a physical fitness test on the horizon, learned of the competition and decided to jump-start her fitness regimen and use the program to her advantage. "I thought this would be a good way to get into shape," Sergeant Shields said. "Also, I had a PT test coming up and thought scoring well would be a good incentive." One of the first strategies she used was to curb bad nutrition habits such as eating greasy or fried foods and drinking sodas and alcohol. She also exercised every day, usually with a partner for encouragement. "I think one of the biggest contributors to the [participants'] success was undoubtedly changing their eating habits," said Capt. Sarah Montoya-Ortega, the 39th Medical Operations Squadron health program manager and organizer for the event. "For all those who did well, they put healthy eating into practice and made some drastic changes." "[My fitness partners and I] ran a lot, took a few fitness classes at the gym and did a couple spinning classes," Sergeant Shields said. Another reason she decided to work on her fitness was the Air Force's upcoming changes to the PT program that includes new rules and regulations including testing twice a year and a bigger emphasis on cardiovascular fitness. "It's going to be harder to pass the tests, so we can't only change our PT habits when our test is close; it's going to require a lifestyle change," Sergeant Shields said. Sergeant Shields worked hard for three months, and reached PT levels she knew she could maintain with a little hard work. "I knew this challenge was something I could do, so I did it," she said. When it was time for her PT test, she had shed two minutes off her run time and "maxed out" push-ups and sit-ups. Overall, she lost 25 pounds, shaving 14.2 percent off her total weight. She said she was very happy the base conducted the program and hopes more will occur in the future. "We will definitely run another one of these programs in the future, incorporating some of the feedback that we received from this latest challenge," Captain Montoya-Ortega said. "Those who have participated are more than welcome to continue weekly weigh-ins, as these often help keep individuals accountable and motivated to lose additional weight." Sergeant Shields said a healthy lifestyle includes eating healthy and working out regularly. Because of the program, she and her family now eat healthier, and she works out regularly. "It's a great program," she said. "If people don't give up and stick with it, it will give people a healthy lifestyle to look forward to." For people looking to improve their fitness, she said a good piece of advice is to start small, and people should not forget to reward themselves when they do well. The competition also included a top male fitness performer: Staff Sgt. Jeff Robbins, 39th Operations Squadron; and a "Biggest Loser" Team, the "Capable And Recksieks," including participants Staff Sgt. Joseph Capel, 728 Air Mobility Squadron; Camara Capel, 39th Force Support Squadron; Capt. Karl Recksiek, 39th Civil Engineer Squadron; and his wife, Julianna. Their team lost 53.9 pounds; a 28.2 percent weight decrease. Collectively, all participants in the program lost a total of 596.8 pounds. For more information on beginning a healthy lifestyle, call the health and wellness center at 676-8256.