335th training manager wins two fitness challenges Published April 28, 2014 By Jessica Richmond 81st Force Support Squadron KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- "I beat out all those young Airmen. I will be 50 this year," exclaimed Barbara Walker, who recently entered the "I Lost It at Keesler" competition and won the overall women's title. "I Lost It at Keesler," which ran Jan. 20 through Feb. 21 at the Dragon Fitness Center, encouraged the Keesler community to tackle weight loss goals. Participants of the challenge were required to weigh-in weekly and given access to free personal training and nutritional counseling. Walker, a training curriculum development manager in the 335th Training Squadron, lost 12 pounds, 6.8 percent of her total body weight. In addition to winning "I Lost It at Keesler," she also won her squadron's "Fit Bull" challenge. So what exactly does it take to win not one, but two fitness challenges? Walker explains that the key to her journey has been a complete lifestyle change. She now eats six small meals a day, as well as exercises five or six times a week. Before starting the challenge, Walker learned through an assessment at the health and wellness center that she was overweight and had excessive body fat. She credits the health and wellness facilities available on base to her success, and hopes to increase awareness of their benefits to other people with access to them. "I am thankful to Keesler for having the fitness centers and the HAWC," Walker said. "The incentive programs at the Dragon Fitness Center are especially motivating to help people start exercising." In total she's lost 20 pounds, and 18 percent of her body fat, but says she isn't done yet. "I still have 10 pounds to lose and they seem to be the hardest ones," Walker said. Her goal is to lose the weight and be fit by her 50th birthday in July.