Working out, counting carbs, increasing weekly cardio, portion control, and healthy sleep are just a few things Sailors can do to improve their personal fitness.

Achieving a healthy and active lifestyle can sometimes be difficult, especially for a Sailor in the shipyard instead of out at sea, but for Sailors aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), a new fitness opportunity is available.

George Washington Sailors began participating in the Deep Six challenge, a healthy body mass index (BMI) challenge with the goal of starting Sailors on a new, healthier lifestyle.

“For six weeks, Sailors will compete to see who can lose the most body weight and fat,” said Lio Nieto, George Washington’s afloat fitness specialist (Fit Boss). “The top three females and males will receive prizes based on how many points they achieve. Points are awarded based on weight lost, body fat lost, and fitness class participation. I also equip every challenger with nutritional information, a sample meal plan, a personal fitness plan, and the name of a meal-builder app.”

Nieto’s inspiration for the challenge came from a television show, though his approach to the idea was a little different.

“The idea for the Deep Six challenge came from the well-known TV show 'Biggest Loser,'” said Nieto. “The difference here is that I want to educate and equip the Sailors of this challenge to be able to lose unwanted weight and body fat and keep it off. I learned that the term 'deep six' means to destroy or dispose of something irretrievably. This is exactly what we want to do to unwanted body weight and fat.”

The challenge has only just begun, but enthusiasm among its participants is already high.

“I joined to lose weight after the holidays, and because I enjoy competition,” said Machinist's Mate (Nuclear) 2nd Class Tammi Cagle, a Sailor assigned to the reactor department of George Washington. “When I heard that there was a prize, I was all about that. I think I can win. I’m really motivated, and I’m willing to sacrifice time before and after work to come to these classes.”

Cagle said she’s already attended 11 fitness sessions.

“Honestly, I love all the classes because they all give you something different,” said Cagle. “The morning yoga on Tuesdays and Thursdays is really great, especially if you were working critically hard the day before. It’s a great way to build strength and flexibility, and you also get to stretch out. The weight and strength classes where you get to do heavy lifting are a ton of fun. I love weight lifting.”

On top of yoga and strength training, there are circuit training classes Monday-Friday as well.

Cagle said circuit training classes are a lot of fun because they are fast-paced, high-intensity workouts, with new exercises each time as Fit Boss changes things up.

While there is a competitive aspect to the month and a half-long challenge, the health benefits participants reap may very well last beyond that.

“I want the challenge to be the spark that turns into a lifestyle change,” said Nieto. “Originally, Sailors will only participate to win, but I am hoping at the end of six weeks that they will realize they are capable of continuing this new, healthier lifestyle.”

Sign-ups for the challenge ended Feb. 1, but that doesn’t mean other Sailors can’t join in the action.

“I hope that Sailors will begin to get their fellow shipmates to join them in fitness classes,” said Nieto. “A culture can only be built by those willing to participate. In order to allow those Sailors the opportunity of participating, our chain of command needs to continue finding solutions – solutions that allow for career work and personal fitness health harmony.”

Nieto isn’t alone in his hope to reach out to more Sailors.

“The people attending the classes are a tight-knit group,” said Cagle. “We also go to our individual departments and encourage our people to come work out with Fit Boss. It doesn’t matter if you’re in the competition, come work out with me. Hopefully, everyone is spreading the 'good word,' if you will, trying to get people to come out and make it a more social activity.”

Maintaining fitness goals can be a considerable challenge, and it’s easy to slip up, but participants who stay the course may find a rewarding outcome beyond the challenge prizes.

“To those participating, be in the moment,” said Nieto. “When you are working out, focus all your effort into making that the best workout you have ever had. When you make choices to eat, make the best choices possible at that time. Our body composition is made up of millions of small choices each and every day. Do what is best for you to achieve your goals while being happy. Never give up.”

There is still more than a month left in the Deep Six challenge, and there are plenty of classes to participate in each week. Participants are encouraged to give it their all, and others are encouraged to get involved as well. With growing interest and active participation, “deep-sixing” a bad fitness lifestyle is something every George Washington Sailor should look into if they want to improve their overall health.

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