# DLA Energy takes first place in fitness challenge

/ Published April 19, 2018
FORT BELVOIR, Va. , 
Jumping into competition, Defense Logistics Agency Energy employees bettered their bodies during the DLA Headquarters Fitness Center’s Winter Warrior Fitness and Nutrition Challenge. 

The ten member DLA Energy Sustainment, Restoration and Modernization Division, Program Analysis and Master Planning Branch staff wanted to get back into the gym following the holidays.

"We signed up and turned it into a great team bonding event," said Program and Master Planning Branch Chief Debra Simpson. "I am super proud."

During an awards ceremony, DLA Director Army Lt. Gen. Darrell Williams emphasized how fitness and nutrition helps employees be their very best. He encouraged participants to keep up their fitness efforts and to motivate their colleagues to do the same. 

"This is not just about losing weight ... this is about fitness – and there’s a difference," he said. "This is about promoting good health, which includes fitness and a component of nutrition."

Each Winter Warrior team was comprised of five members who earned points for attending group fitness classes, working out with a fitness center specialist or team coach, exercising on their own and logging their nutrition, said Rachel Garmon, Headquarters Complex Fitness Center assistant program manager. 

"The team with the highest numbers earned the top three distinctions," she said. "But, everyone was a winner."

Simpson and four of her employees were the top performing self-titled PAMP It Up team - named after their Program and Master Planning Branch title. The team included DaToya Taylor, Laura Funk, Patty Beyer and Alison Adams. Three more were part of the second place team, Smokin’ Hot N’ Hungry including Lance Giddens, Tavis Hundley and Chanel Pittman. Cherlyn Mata was on the Mission Slimpossible team and Chanmeak Williamson, who joined the staff after the sign-ups concluded, cheered on the participants.

Mata participated last year with a team of DLA Energy employees and was excited to do it again with her coworkers. 

"It was a great opportunity to encourage each other to be strong mentally, emotionally and physically," she said. "People often forget how important it is to take care of themselves."

It was a commitment, but the rewards were worth it, Mata said.

"It gave me a stronger connection with my co-workers and in turn, made me more productive at work and at home," she said. 

Giddens said he saw the project as a way to get back to being physically fit. He said he lost 20 pounds during the project proving he had the discipline to go without pizza, cookies and ice cream.

"My goal was to lose 30 pounds," he said. "I learned several things during the challenge that I didn’t expect including my teammates being so driven and dedicated to winning." 

Hundley’s goal was to participate in a friendly challenge with his coworkers and focus on sculpting and conditioning. 

"We did a lot of group exercise classes," he said. "I met my goals and found out about the great classes offered by the DLA Morale, Welfare and Recreation staff." 

Pittman noticed she had more energy throughout the day and looked forward to the gym activities. 

 "I lost two percent of my body fat and became toned," Pittman said.

Navy Capt. Christopher Light, director DLA Energy Facility Sustainment Directorate, said the Winter Warrior challenge was a great opportunity for the motivated workforce to build esprit-de-corps while at the same time contribute to individual resiliency. 

"The friendly competition exhibited throughout the event certainly contributed to, and strengthened, individual relationships and the ability of the workforce to attain goals as a team," he said. "We are very proud of their accomplishments and look forward to supporting future events."

For information about the latest challenges, fitness classes and other health and well-being opportunities, visit the fitness center’s web site.