Sun, sand and sweat in the Gulf
Penny Rogers
Lookout contributor
April 14, 2008
Penny Rogers
Lookout
PO2 Todd Hinks, a Boatswain in HMCS Protecteur, has organized a Biggest Loser competition during the ship’s deployment to the Persian Gulf.
By the time HMCS Protecteur returns to B.C. shores this fall, she is guaranteed to have a lighter load. She’ll be carrying less fuel, less food, less supplies and, if PO2 Todd Hinks gets his way, much less body fat.
PO2 Hinks, a boatswain, has come up with an energetic way of occupying his off-hours while the ship is at sea, and so far he has talked 24 of his fellow crewmates into joining him for the Biggest Loser Fun Weight Loss Competition.
“In our first port we’ll be weighing in, about a week or two into the trip; it will end at the last port prior to coming home,” he says.
After the first official weigh-in and picture taking, the competitors will be off and running, literally. Aside from an upper deck that will double as a track, they have access to treadmills, stationery bikes, elliptical machines and both free and cable weights. And for those more aquatically inclined, once they reach warmer waters there will be opportunities to swim laps around the 171.9-metre long ship.
“The individual has to take it upon themselves to actually work out. We’re not going to force them. If they want assistance to be shown the proper way of doing raises or certain exercises, then we have people like Cpl Green who can help out. He has already done a fitness instructor’s course.”
And, according to PO Hinks, there are several crewmembers who are fitness fanatics, so they too will assist anyone in need of guidance and support.
PO2 Hinks has also wrangled help from the galley staff.
“I’ve talked to the sergeant cook (Sgt Colin Winkler) who has a little background on dietary foods, what’s good for you and what’s not, so he’s going to have a diet meal on the menu and it’ll be highlighted so the individuals can make healthy choices as we go along.”
To keep the competition fair, results will not be based solely on the number of pounds competitors lose, but a percentage of weight lost. “Just to make it equal for the guys who are skinnier but still want to lose some weight.”
And there will be prizes to help motivate the group. Personnel Support Programs (PSP) donated a number of items to the cause such as key chains and water bottles, and they will send larger prizes as the competition heats up.
“PSP is donating a family pass for the Naden gym and that’s worth about $200. They are also working hard on getting a two-night stay at a fitness resort.”
The men and women competing will have to rely entirely on sweat and tears to shed their pounds. No help from weight loss pills will be allowed. But PO2 Hinks has an idea he hopes will help everyone involved.
“The canteen is the only place on board where you can buy chocolate bars, so I’ll have a list of names who are banned from buying them,” he says with a smile.
With plans, prizes and competitors all falling into place, there is only one thing that PO2 Hinks believes would make his Biggest Loser event even better — if HMCS Calgary were to join in to make it a ship-to-ship competition.
