Fit to Fight: Maintainer improves fitness score, life Published Dec. 4, 2011 By Senior Airman Jami K. Lancette 434th ARW Public Affairs GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Making the decision to stick to a strict diet-and-exercise program can take strong willpower, and such was found in one determined Grissom Airman as he beat the odds and took back his health. Master Sgt. Robert Sucharski, 434th Maintenance Operations Flight maintenance operations coordinator, refused to let his blood pressure and weight take control of where he wanted to be in life. "My doctor said I needed to be on blood pressure medicine, and I knew something had to change," said Sucharski, who had his sights set on losing weight during a recent deployment. "I was 240 pounds when I deployed," he said. Once deployed, Sucharski he said he started making wiser choices on eating and exercise. "When you're deployed they provide healthy and not so healthy foods, so it's up to you what you decide to eat," he said. "I would eat healthy foods in the dining facility. "The biggest thing I had to do was to cut out (soda)," he added. In conjunction with diet changes, Sucharski started running like his life depended on it, because in some ways he said it did. "In the beginning I would be gassed after one-quarter-of-a-mile, but by the end of my two months over there I was running three to four miles a day," he said. "And I enjoy running now I have helped four other people improve their pace." Sucharski returned home to the United States 45 pounds a lighter and new man. "After diet and exercise, I returned back home weighing 195," said Sucharski. "I then took my (fitness) test and got an excellent on my run. "Nowadays the fitness weighs a lot on your career," he said explaining one of his reasons for getting in shape. Not only has the weight loss improved his fitness scores, but it has also improved his whole way of living. "I come home and have more energy to do stuff around the house," elaborated Sucharski. "I am able to keep up with my kids a lot better. "I challenge them to race and I am able to keep up and sometimes even win," he added. His run time wasn't the only thing that had improved. Once he returned back to the United States Sucharski said his doctor reevaluated his need for blood pressure medicine. "When I got back from deployment my doctor took me off my blood pressure medicine," said Sucharski. He said through it all only he could change the way he lived and help himself get back on track. "Unless you do it for yourself, it's not going to happen," Sucharski stated. The 434th Maintenance Operations Flight is a part of the 434th Air Refueling Wing, the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Stay connected with the 434th ARW on Twitter and Facebook. (Editor's note: This is the second in a four-part series detailing the fitness journey of four Grissom Airmen in their quest to be fit to fight.)
