Sgt. Amanda Tucker, a Public Affairs Specialist with the 82nd Sustainment Brigade at Fort Bragg, N.C., has been following the tenets of the Performance Triad with her family. Tucker balances her duties as a Soldier while raising two toddlers and an eight year-old with her fiancé as well as attending college.
Tucker says her children are her main motivation for staying on track. She adds that her family is very enthusiastic about the Triad program, and that they challenge themselves daily to improve their health. Tucker's eight-year-old enjoys learning yoga from her fiancé, running, and practicing Tae Kwon Do.
Tucker admits that at first the most challenging element of the Triad, given her demanding schedule, was getting the recommended amount of sleep. Previously, she relied on a popular prescription sleep medication; now she uses aromatherapy in the form of incense and candles and removes her computer and any work from her bed in order to obtain a quality eight hours.
With her rigorous schedule, time management is essential. Waking before dawn on most days, Tucker is able to get in a workout on an elliptical before 0800. As she works on her weight loss goal, she is already receiving compliments from others, especially her fiancé, on looking healthier. To remain encouraged, she avoids weighing herself daily. And while limiting herself to low impact exercising to avoid injuries, she sees steady progress, with the goal of participating in a marathon this May.
Maintaining nutritional health has been less of a challenge; Tucker sees it as a 'lifestyle change, not a diet." Carefully reviewing serving sizes, nutrient content, and calories, she strives to limit her sugar, sodium and fat intake. Her children now eat a variety of fruits and vegetables willingly, whereas they did not in the past. She confesses that, while she was raised on eating fast food and processed foods (which she still occasionally eats) her family has reduced the amount of sodas and energy drinks while increasing their water intake. They also drink soy milk and coconut water, both of which have excellent nutritional qualities. She packs the refrigerator with healthy items such as "Greek yogurt, whole grain crackers, almonds and oatmeal."
Tucker asserts that "she is happier when she is healthier" and that her fiancé has been a great supporter of the Performance Triad. She contends that incorporating the tenets of the Triad has also resulted in "children performing better in school." She encourages others "to not give up on their [health] goals, although it may sometimes be easy to get off track."
(This is the 1st within a series of articles.)
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