NASA Summer Fitness Program Continues

NASA - Summer Fitness Program Melts Away the Pounds

4/14/13 1:27 AM

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Summer Fitness Program Melts Away the Pounds

06.15.11

By: Chey Parker, LARRS intern Two years ago, Jennifer Keyes lost nearly 50 pounds during NASA Langley’s "Biggest Loser" weight loss competition. This year, she’s back to lose another 10 to 15 pounds.

Keyes is one of 36 participants breaking a sweat and shedding some pounds in Langley's "Summer Meltdown Challenge."

"Summer Meltdown Challenge" coordinator Adrianne Flinn explains that the center competition is not as hardcore as what viewers may see on NBC's "Biggest Loser."

"It's a little bit more humble," says Flinn. "We basically try to tailor it to your NASA employee. They're not going to be as productive at work if they're not in shape and healthy."

All fitness center members are eligible for the challenge, which began May 9 and ends August 26. Flinn was originally concerned about getting participants.

"We worried people wouldn't sign up because of the length of the challenge," she explains, "and then, of course, once people did start signing up we thought 'oh my gosh, we're not going to have time to measure people every week.' " According to Flinn, the goal of the challenge is to encourage NASA employees to incorporate exercise and healthy eating into their everyday lives. Participants make their own workout schedules and exercise where they wish. Participants can send their workout logs and receive nutritional advice, weekly goals and reminders via e-mail.

"We want to be as flexible as possible with people's schedules this summer," Flinn says.

Click to enlarge Adrianne Flinn, NASA Langley fitness instructor, is leading the Summer Meltdown Challenge, which aims to help employees lose weight and become more fit. Credit: NASA/Sean Smith

Although Keyes rides her bicycle three or four times a week and exercises before and after work, she still finds it challenging to fit exercising into her daily schedule.

"I jokingly say exercise is my biggest hobby," says Keyes. "Some of it is just combining it with other things. The rest of it is making time."

Participants are required to exercise at least three times a week and can choose to do cardio, strength or mixed routine workouts. The program requires each workout to be a minimum of 20 minutes.

"We wanted people to just learn how to incorporate exercise, so we made it essential that they work out three times a week," Flinn explains.

Progress is tracked by each participant's total inches lost and weight loss percentage, which are the winning criteria for the challenge. Participants weigh in at the fitness center weekly and circumference measurements are taken monthly by the fitness trainers.

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/langley/news/researchernews/rn_SummerMeltdown.html

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NASA - Summer Fitness Program Melts Away the Pounds

4/14/13 1:27 AM

The trainers also provide workouts for a fee. Joanne Edmonds Schrepfer, a trainer, helps to provide nutritional guidance and answers questions about weight-loss goals.

The prize for this year’s competition is accomplishment. Although Keyes finished second in 2009, her prize this year would be to reach her goal of about 155 to 159 pounds.

"You accomplishing it is the prize," says Flinn. "It's for your spirit. It's very rewarding to reach your goal."

Flinn hopes to host an annual weight loss challenge every summer. "It's easier to eat healthy. All fruits and vegetables are in season," she says. She also explains that during the summer, people usually opt for more fruity deserts than thicker, more fattening treats.

The challenge is underway and most of the active participants are steadily losing weight, including Keyes, who is appreciative of the program and the encouragement she receives from the trainers.

"The Summer Meltdown Challenge seems to be a great program so far, and I’m glad to have it here on center," says Keyes.

"The fitness center and the folks who work there are tremendous assets."

FOR MORE INFORMATION NASA Langley's Fitness Center: http://larc-exchange.larc.nasa.gov/exchange08/fitnessCenter/

The Researcher News NASA Langley Research Center Editor & Curator: Denise Lineberry Managing Editor: Jim Hodges Executive Editor & Responsible NASA Official: Rob Wyman › Back To Top

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