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Airman gets ‘fit to fight’ in Southwest Asia

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Carlos Diaz
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  “If you’re fat, get leaner; if you’re slow, get faster; if you’re weak, get stronger,” is a powerful statement senior leaders belts out every time new Airmen set foot on this forward-deployed location.

After hearing that resonant quote, Staff Sgt. Dan Foster became a walking, talking example of it. He let the quote beat his eardrum to the tune of a 53-pound weight loss.

The noncommissioned officer in charge of the system administration section of the 386th Expeditionary Communications Squadron began his dramatic weight loss the day he turned 30 on June 7.

“This was something I knew I needed to do, and I’ve done it several times before; however, this time I really wanted to do it right,” said Sergeant Foster who is deployed from Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark.

In full uniform, he tipped the scales at 291 pounds on the day he left for his deployment.

“To be liberal, I deducted my weight in boots and uniform as a guesstimate of 6 pounds,” he said. “I called my starting weight at 285 pounds on May 2.”

Once that number stared back at his freckled face, the 6-foot-5-inch man realized he needed to make a change.

As a student in the school of weight loss, he was well prepared for the homework that lay ahead.

“I try to do everything from the position of knowledge, so I’ve studied fitness and weight loss in many forms for many years, and I’ve actually established quite a good list of techniques,” said the 12-year Air Force veteran.

Some of those techniques include a formula that he extracted from a weight loss Web site that involves using simple mathematic skills.

Sergeant Foster annotated his personal stats: gender, height, current weight, age and normal exercise habits. These stats calculate daily caloric intake to maintain current weight.

His newfound diet consisted of chicken, salads and water, with a diet Coke on Sundays, his cheat day. On his cheat day, he would also snack on plenty of beef jerky.

Coupled with a healthy diet, he implemented a disciplined workout regimen to his day-to-day routine.

He rode a stationary bike every night for 40 minutes. To keep his mind off of the workload, he would bring a healthy diversion.

“I have to read a book to keep my attention away from how long I’m on there,” Sergeant Foster said. He also performed memory games and brain teasers to put his mind at ease during his intense workouts.

After his cardio session, he would do a minimum of 100 sit-ups. Twice a week, he would perform squadron physical training. He played racquetball once a week. The results began to pay off when he shaved four minutes off his 1.5-mile timed run.

Sergeant Foster said his weight loss has been a collaborated effort with a strong support structure pushing him forward.

“I’ve had a number of people (who) have kept a really close watch of my progress,” he said.

He said his co-workers, squadron leaders and senior wing leaders have been a big key in helping him reach his goals.

“Sergeant Foster has shown the Airmen that it’s possible to make changes to your lifestyle if you have the right attitude and are willing to work hard,” said Master Sgt. David Richard, 386th ECS first sergeant. “As first sergeant, when I have an Airman struggling with meeting the fitness standards, I’ll have a success story to tell.”

“Sergeant Foster continues to inspire everyone with his determination, dedication and self-discipline,” said Chief Master Sgt. Timothy Lee, 386th ECS superintendent. “It’s truly refreshing to see troops of all ranks rally around him and support his endeavor; he’s shown that goals and dedication are a powerful combination.”

“He’s a complete Airman,” said Maj. Brett Scarborough, 386th ECS commander. “He’s taken his physical fitness and professional image seriously.

“He’s also set the standard on and off duty, and he’s a great example. He’s definitely ‘fit to fight,’” Major Scarborough said.

“That type of leadership support has been incredible; it really fortified me during the days when I would’ve rather had been hit with a hammer than eat another salad,” Sergeant Foster confessed.

Although Sergeant Foster has not taken drastic measures like that, he has not smoked since May 1, and he no longer makes excuses for himself.

His weight gain was gradual. Sergeant Foster said he used to eat until the plate was wiped clean instead of eating until he was full. Also, a shoulder surgery sidelined him for a year and a bad case of shinsplits added to his burden. Lightening his load has paid off in more ways than one.

“I don’t hurt as much anymore when I do physical things,” Sergeant Foster said. “I attribute plenty of that to my age, but I think it was the weight. I can run, play racquetball and partake in other things now and not get winded.”

Sergeant Foster’s determination was evident.

“I always had a positive attitude, and I stuck with it,” he said.

The base fitness center staff sponsored a weight loss contest called “The Biggest Loser,” which began June 11 and ended Aug. 23.

During that time period, Sergeant Foster refrained from eating his favorite treat -- oatmeal cream pies. Before the contest ended, he taped his treat on his desk calendar.

After winning the contest, he treated himself to that pastry.

“It tasted like gold,” he said.

However, the real treasure for Sergeant Foster has been the ability to play his beloved sports again, and as he stated, “Being able to breathe.”

“My biggest focus now is keeping the weight off,” he said. “I’m very proud of this accomplishment, but more importantly, if my experience might help other people reach their own weight loss goals, then I’m glad to have gone through with it.”