FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. -- Anyone passing the dining facility at Blanchfield Army Community Hospital Wednesday morning probably witnessed something that seemed odd at first glance. In a small classroom area near the facility, a small group of Soldiers and civilians were being led in a display of physical fitness. In ACUs and business casual attire, the group muscled through squats, chair push-ups and a variety of stretches.
Leading the class was Staff Sgt. Raymond Pigford, a specialist within the Nutrition Care Division of BACH and certified Master Fitness Trainer. According to army.mil, "The Master Fitness Trainer Course, or MFTC, provides the force with certified fitness advisers who have earned Army Skill Identifiers as Master Fitness Trainers. Master Fitness Trainers, or MFTs, serve as additional-duty special advisers to unit commanders -- company through division -- to facilitate physical training based on the doctrine in Field Manual 7-22, Army Physical Readiness Training, formerly Training Circular 3-22.20."
The class, organized by Pigford and 1st Lt. Latoya Clark, chief of the Clinical Dietetics branch of the Nutrition Care Division, was designed to teach Fort Campbell employees ways to incorporate exercise into the work day -- without even having to leave the office.
"The workout is something simple that can be done," said Pigford, who incorporated a full range of exercises into a 15-minute routine. "It's just a combination of things that tricks the muscles. You can actually work out your entire body, even if you're at your desk the whole time."
Pigford already knew a thing or two about fitness before attending the Master Fitness Trainer course two years ago -- he specialized in instructing Soldiers who had trouble passing their PT tests. The additional training he received from the MFT school, he said, helped him to learn new ways to exercise the body and modify those methods for those who needed it.
"It opened up my eyes a little bit more," he said. "For people with limitations that can't do all of the exercises, it taught me five or six different ways to do each exercise. So you'll still get something out of it."
Effective physical activity with a low level of time commitment is what drew Ivy Garcia-Romero, a services business manager at the Fort Campbell Exchange, to the class.
"I think it's a good way to learn how to exercise while you're in your office," she said. "A lot of people will say things like, 'Oh, I work all day. I don't have time for exercise.' And this is one way we can try to exercise and incorporate it into our work schedule."
Following the interactive educational session, Garcia-Romero said that the information will be brought back to her workplace and shared with the various departments via PowerPoint presentations. And since she went through the 15-minute regimen herself, she will be able to sing its praises through experience.
"Right now I'm still trying to catch my breath, so it was actually a good workout," she said at the end of the class. "Anybody can do this -- just start at 15 minutes a day during your 15-minute breaks."
Engaging in physical activity is just one element in the Army's Performance Triad. Also encouraged are the concepts of quality sleep and good nutrition. Following the fitness class, Clark and others began setting up tables to host a health fair in honor of National Nutrition Month. Visitors were given information on healthy eating habits and were allowed to try samples of veggie smoothies from Smoothie King, Skinny Slice pizzas from Pizza Hut and various nutritional items from GNC.
"We're just providing education in a community where if you are having to eat fast food or eat on the go, we want you to know there are healthy options," said Clark.
For those who wish to embrace a healthier lifestyle, making sound nutritional choices is every bit as important as adhering to a routine of physical activity.
"Being honest, doing exercise is about 20 percent of the entire weight-loss process -- the other 80 percent is what you eat," explained Pigford. "You can work out four hours a day, but if you eat horribly, you're defeating the purpose of what you've just done."
Even small steps can go a long way in transitioning to a healthier diet. Pigford and Clark both recommended things like cutting back on items that contain excessive amounts of added sugar -- a major factor in diet-related health problems in America.
"Our sugar consumption is definitely one of the highest in the world," said Clark. "Sugar turns into glucose, which can be converted into fat."
One of the easiest places to eliminate sugar consumption, according to Pigford, is within beverage choices. He explained that sodas and certain fruit juices are often loaded with sugar.
"A lot of people don't realize that they drink the majority of the calories they need per day prior to eating," he said.
Those with questions about nutrition and diet choices are encouraged to contact the Nutrition Care Division office at BACH.
"We have registered dieticians here always willing to help," said Clark.
Clark also reminded attendees that optimal health resulted in following all three facets of the Performance Triad.
"At the end of the day, don't do it all by diet," she said. "Get in some exercise, even if it's just walking.
"And get some sleep -- stress can be a contributor to weight gain."
To find out about other events taking place in honor of National Nutrition Month, visit the BACH Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BACH.Fort.Campbell.
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