Robins program analyst near weight loss goal thanks to HAWC class

  • Published
  • By Holly Logan-Arrington
  • Robins Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Like most people, Timothy Keister doesn't like to admit he made a New Year's resolution.

But, this year is different.

The self-described Air Force brat who is a program analyst in the 448th Supply Chain Management Wing, committed to losing 25 pounds by year's end, and not even halfway through 2016, he's only 9 pounds from his goal.

What's his secret?

Keister armed himself with healthy living skills he learned in the Health and Wellness Center's "Better Body Better Life" class.

The class is designed to give participants the tools to create a healthier lifestyle, in the hopes that they'll use those tools for the rest of their lives.

"My No. 1 goal was to lose weight," he said. "I also wanted to lower my blood pressure and cholesterol."

The 54-year-old credits his success to the help he has received from class instructor and HAWC Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Marita Radloff.

"With Marita's help, I did pretty well," he said. "I lost 16 pounds; I started at 186 and ended at 170, lowered my body fat 5 percent, and lost 4 inches off my waist." 

Keister also lowered his cholesterol from 300 to 180.

"My cholesterol hasn't been below 200 in over 20 years even taking medication," he said. "It's true what the experts say; healthy eating and exercising can lower your cholesterol level. Oh, my blood pressure dropped as well. I'm going back to my doctor to see if I can lower or stop taking my blood pressure meds."

Keister said the biggest impact was how and what he ate.

"It was a huge lifestyle change, eating more vegetables and fruits, along with drinking a homemade smoothie each day either for breakfast or lunch," he said. "I learned it's OK to have a cheat day when I eat what I want without feeling guilty. That was a big change from how I used to feel. The weight loss and increased health aren't bad either."

Radloff said Keister exemplifies the saying, 'you get what you put into it.'

"Even when he was slammed at work and had things going on in his life, he still made the commitment to come to the workouts and log his food so I would be holding him accountable in his choices," she said.

"He had goals coming into the program, and kept those goals in front of him like a carrot the entire 12 weeks, never giving up on the idea that he could accomplish his goal of losing 25 pounds in 2016." 

Radloff said Better Body, Better Life is all about finding the best version of yourself, and  she's proud that Keister is well on his way to doing that.

Keister has already begun the Advanced BBL class in his pursuit to shed the remaining pounds standing between him and his goal.