Lose weight, get fit, stay healthy through Weight Warriors Published Jan. 11, 2011 By Staff Sgt. Sarah Martinez 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Every year people make New Year's resolutions to get fit and lose weight. Making the promise is easy but sticking to that goal is sometimes the hardest part, so it helps to have a plan. The Riptide Fitness Center is offering anyone with a Department of Defense identification card the opportunity to sign up for Weight Warriors, a program that offers guidance, workout sessions and motivation that can help jump start any exercise plan. "Do you want to workout but have never been to the gym before? There's a program for you," said Mrs. Karen Cataldo, 1st Special Operations Force Support Squadron Riptide Fitness Center manager. "Have you been working out for two years and can't drop those last few pounds? There's a program for you." Registration for this event began Dec. 27 and the fee is $50. The program kicks off Jan. 19, so there is still time to sign up for this great opportunity to lose those extra pounds from the holidays or to learn more about fitness and how to stay healthy. This year the program managers decided to try a partner strategy. Everyone who signs up will fill out a questionnaire and from those answers people will be paired with the person they are most compatible with. Of course, people can choose to not have a workout buddy if working out alone is more beneficial. "People said that they wanted someone to be accountable to besides the program staff," Mrs. Cataldo said. "Another benefit of having partners instead of teams is that maybe people will network and maybe meet someone new." During the eight-week program Weight Warriors can burn calories at the many workout sessions, learn how to shop healthy at the grocery store and attend the weekly meetings which will cover a variety of topics. As part of the Weight Warriors program participants will complete a pre- and post- assessment. The evaluation will include body mass index measurements, a push-up and sit-up test and a three-minute step test, along with other measurements needed to assess overall fitness and health. "People like to see how far they've come," Mrs. Cataldo said. "However, people are going to get out of the program what they put into it, so they need to focus and attend the activities." The more meetings, workout sessions and program events participants attend the more points they can rack up to earn rewards. In the past, the Weight Warriors program gave away workout DVDs, gym bags, pedometers and jump ropes, just to name a few prizes. Weight Warriors awards prizes for the top performers in the program. There are two sets of prizes participants can win from: the partner team with the most points, and the individuals who lose the most body fat. People can earn points by attending the variety of events offered throughout the program. "The money we get from the signup fee goes right back into the program," Mrs. Cataldo said. "The more participants we have the better the prizes will be." Weight Warriors ends March 16. People who sign up can expect to lose weight and/or body fat and gain knowledge about fitness and healthy living. "I've done this program for five years and I wouldn't do it if it weren't a valuable program," Mrs. Cataldo said. "It's worth it, come sign up."