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SNCO shares story of success in spirit of Fitness Month

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  If Airmen were trains and their career paths were tracks, then undoubtedly Master Sgt. Robert Stewart was a rusty, worn-out and derailed train a year ago, until he found a driving force strong enough to lift him back onto his track, grease his wheels and get him chugging again - this time, on the express rail!

In December 2006, after his third consecutive fit-test failure, Sergeant Stewart, 436th Maintenance Operations Squadron maintenance operations center assistant NCO-in charge, met John Walters, Health and Wellness Center exercise physiologist, whose program completely turned his life around.

"This all started the end of May 2006 when I initially failed my PT test," said the Greenwich, N.Y., native. "I received my Air Force Form 108 and went through all the necessary classes. I took the test in August 2006 and failed again. Then, I had to take the test in December 2006, and failed yet again."

Sergeant Stewart works in an office environment where he typically sits in front of a computer screen for up to 12 hours a day with the exceptions of occasionally getting up for a stretch or to go to lunch. With the lack of fitness at work, he has to devote time to fitness daily or he puts on weight.

Unfortunately, fitness has not always been an Air Force 'hot topic,' said Sergeant Stewart. Once it came online, he seemed to be on a destined track toward failure.

"I had to change my attitude about fitness, I had to realize that fitness was part of my Air Force duty," said the sergeant. "That is what really cemented what I needed to do."

Though he was determined, coming back from a fit-test level of 47 was a challenge.

"Just prior to the December fail, I met with Mr. Walters for the first time," said Sergeant Stewart. "He told me sometimes you have to do things even if they hurt a little. I knew that I had to jump back on the bandwagon. This was the beginning of my transformation."

On Feb. 1, Sergeant Stewart went before the fitness review board here. He discussed his fitness and admitted to all barriers preventing him from succeeding. His next step was to tear down the barriers and press on.

"I saw a fire with Master Sergeant Stewart immediately after his Fitness Review Board," said Mr. Walters. "I feel the fire to become healthier and fit was driven by his love for his family and Air Force."

A change was made.

"I started to run as often as I could," he said. "I ran in February's Warrior Run and ran the entire 5K without any problems. That was an extreme motivator!"

Fitness is about setting up a good workout routine and sticking with it, he stresses.
"Young Airmen should start now so they won't have to be like me, and fight a constant battle to stay fit," he said.
It's not a solo mission, said Sergeant Stewart, who had a network of Dover Warriors to help him along in his quest.

He started attending the Running Clinic with Mr. Walters and Lt. Col. Philip Preen, 436th Aeromedical Dental Operations Squadron commander and said that he increased his run time by more than a minute right away.

"I ran with him during his fit test run to help pace him," said Mr. Walters. "My thought is fitness is too serious to simply inform people and leave it completely on them. With time permitting, I would go out and run with any struggling Airman."
Coaching and assistance came from others as well.

His commander, Lt. Col. Raymond Briggs gave him coaching on lap swimming, which he said also has drastically helped him.

Lastly, he said that he changed his attitude about eating and the HAWC nutritionist, Master Sgt. William Miller, helped along the way.

"I started writing down what I ate," he said. "I choose daily menus and keep a calorie count."

With a good diet, hefty support system and an overflowing well of motivation, Sergeant Stewart has increased his runs from two miles to 5.25 miles per session.

"I plan to run a 10K (6.2 miles) by this summer," he said. "It would be awesome to be able to run 7 miles, but we will wait and see. I continue with swimming and lifting weights, too. I like to vary exercises for a great work out. Plus, it's fun!"

Sergeant Stewart scored a 79.3 on his latest fit-test and said he is very pleased with his score, though he would like to bring his run down another 38 seconds and max out his push-ups and sit-ups scores next time.

"Without a doubt, Master Sergeant Stewart has made the biggest gain in fitness scoring over a 90-day period I have seen," said Mr. Walters.

In three months, Sergeant Stewart went from 47 to 79.3 on his PT test. He hopes that others can learn from his recent success as well as his early mistakes.

"Don't give up, stick with it and try to fit the puzzle together," he said, comparing diet, routine and motivation all to puzzle pieces. "Once the whole puzzle is put together and you can see the picture, it is all a whole lot easier."