Nine months to a new man: Wing plans officer shows it can be done

  • Published
  • By Maj. Erin Karl
  • 916th Public Affairs Office
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Lt. Col. Gregory Potts has been in the Air Force for more than 20 years. He's a big, athletic guy who's always had to keep an eye on food and fitness to maintain his weight and pass the fitness test, a test that has changed a number of times in his career.

When the most recent Fit to Fight test regulations came into use, Potts found himself having to go "above and beyond" to pass. He did it with old fashioned planning and determination mixed with some modern technology.

Dealing with the Air Force Fitness component has never been a breeze for Potts. He was even weighed on the day of his commissioning. The start of the new fitness test in 2010 was a wake-up call. His waist measurement was nine inches above the maximum. He first took the test in September 2010 and failed. By the time 2011 began, Potts was already on his way to becoming a new man.

Using his athletic background, he formulated a plan to get back in fit-to-fight shape. His first challenge? Food.

"Deciding to use the current Weight Watchers plan for eating helped tremendously," said Potts. Focusing on healthy food choices and smart portioning allowed him to control his intake. The pounds started coming off and his waist began to shrink.

According to Potts, eating was only part of the problem. He next set his sights on tackling his fitness training. Potts is no stranger to vigorous athletic training. He attended college on a track and field scholarship.

"As a good athlete, I had a big advantage," says Potts. "I worked toward goals and increased speed and distance regularly." He also used a Polar training system that allowed him to track his heart rate, distance and time. Within nine months Potts had cut three minutes off his run. During that time he ran more than 115 miles treadmill and track.

Part of that Polar system was a watch that showed his mile-per-hour pace. Potts says tracking his pace was a big factor in his success.

"The biggest problem for most people is pacing. They start out too fast and can't keep it steady," he said. "Instead of guessing how fast you need to run to pass, the pacing watch allows you to know you're on the right track to passing. The system also allows you to download your training stats to show your commander you're making progress. It's a great system."

Goal setting, determination, and incremental improvements paid off. He passed his fitness test in May.

Potts is the chief of wing plans at the 916th, but is leaving for a two-month deployment to Europe. Now that he's passed the PT test, his mind is on future goals.

"I have taken time off to recover from the hard nine month push; however, I have recovered from some minor injuries from the intense training, and I am continuing to run on the treadmill and use the elliptical," said Potts. "My goal is to be down another 20 pounds by my next test."

Potts said he's learned a lot about himself through the grueling process he's put himself through. He knows he is not the only Airman to struggle with being Fit to Fight.

His advice?

"Show improvement, ask your supervisor for help, and find and stick with a legitimate eating plan," he advises. "Don't be afraid to tell your supervisor how you are doing."

Within the test itself Potts has set another goal as well. In the last nine months Potts has dropped his run time from 14:45 to 11:45.

"Sub 11 minutes is clearly in my reach," he said.