Staff Sgt. Corey Frint, 460th Space Communications Squadron network management assistant NCO in charge,second from left, poses in front of judges during the National Physique Committee Armbrust Pro Gym Warrior Classic Aug. 8, 2012. Hundreds of competitors participated in this years event with only a select few being crowned with placements in each of their category.(Courtesy photo)
Staff Sgt. Corey Frint, 460th Space Communications Squadron network management assistant NCO in charge,middle, flexes in front of judges during the National Physique Committee Armbrust Pro Gym Warrior Classic Aug. 8, 2012. Frint has had a childhood passion for weight lifting this year was his first competition. (Courtesy photo)
Staff Sgt. Corey Frint, 460th Space Communications Squadron network management assistant NCO in charge, raises is arm in celebration of placing in second place in the Novice Men’s Bodybuilding Heavyweight during the National Physique Committee Armbrust Pro Gym Warrior Classic Aug. 8, 2012. Frint also placed sixth place in the Open Men’s Bodybuilding Light Heavyweight category. (Courtesy photo)
by Senior Airman Paul Labbe
460th Space Wing Public Affairs
10/3/2012 - BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Grocery list of healthy foods: $100 a month. Driving to the gym: $4 a gallon. Personal trainer session: $60. Achieving your personal goal as an active duty military member: priceless.
Staff Sgt. Corey Frint, 460th Space Communications Squadron network management infrastructure assistant NCO in charge, placed second place in the Novice Men's Bodybuilding Heavyweight and sixth place in the Open Men's Bodybuilding Light Heavyweight in the 2012 National Physique Committee Armbrust Pro Gym Warrior Classic.
On a daily basis, Frint controls, handles and processes various computer network trouble tickets from all over Buckley Air Force Base. With more than 5000 computers on the base, this task can be daunting and often leaves little or no time for ones hobbies; however, Frint has managed to make time for weight lifting.
Frint started with a childhood passion for weightlifting and recently decided it was time to take it more seriously.
"I have been weightlifting and bodybuilding ever since I was 14 years old, but I've never actually done a show. So at the beginning of this year I made a New Year's resolution to, and I told myself this is going to be the year that I'm going to participate in a show," Frint said.
Frint had only 12 weeks to get ready for the next competition in April, so beginning in January he enlisted the help of two local fitness trainers to help him train.
"I signed on with two trainers named Dee Jay and Kimberlin Haines at a place called Body Visions. I originally wanted to do a show in April but my trainers wanted to put some more mass on me, so I decided I would compete in the 2012 NPC Armbrust Pro Gym Warrior Classic show," Frint said.
The show is divided into competitive categories such as women's figure, bikini and fitness. Men compete in men's physique and bodybuilding.
"For my show I was aiming for the light heavyweight class which was 176 and a quarter up to an including 198 ¼. I wanted to be at the top of my weight class, which would have been 198 and a quarter; but on the day of my show I weighed in at 185 pounds so I fit in right in the middle of my weight class," Frint said.
With any fitness regimen, what people put into their body is just as important as their workout routine. A diet can be the hardest part for some individuals looking to change body appearance and overall health.
"The biggest hurdle I ran into was the dieting. I can weight lift all day, but it's about the nutrition and what we put into our bodies that get me to the way I want to look ultimately. Another big hurdle was the temptations to not follow the strict diet my trainers provided to me, along with the temptation to want to cheat. I'm a huge sweets guy, and I love candy," said Frint.
Though, sweets weren't Frint's only obstacle. With every Airman embodying the core value of "Service Before Self," sometimes it's a struggle to balance work duties and off-duty hobbies.
"I didn't have much issue with working out and keeping to my work schedule. I had the motivation to work and continue preparing for my August show. I would wake up at 4:30 each morning to do my cardio and then arrive to work at 7:30 a.m. After that I would drive home at the end of the day and do my lifting and another 60 minutes of cardio. Some nights I wouldn't get home until eleven at night," Frint said.
Frint continued this workout routine seven days a week until his competition.
"My trainers eventually bulked me all the way up to 227 pounds, and when 12 weeks came they decided it was time for a cutting schedule which cleaned up my diet which then I started to eat tilapia, salmon, sweet potatoes, oatmeal, and egg whites, Frint said." "I was still eating six meals a day, but it was a lot cleaner diet and took a lot of fat out. I ended up losing 42 pounds in twelve weeks."
Cardio is a key factor in this process. For Frint, balancing his bodybuilding cardio and his fitness cardio could tip the scales toward the outcome of his event. He was careful to maintain air force fitness standards while still sticking to his goals for the competition.
"It was kind of hard because when we run for Air Force cardio, we get our heart rates up to a higher standard so we end up burning muscle at times rather than burning fat. That's why it's so important to wear a heart monitor, especially so I can tell where my heart rate is at so I can decide whether I'm burning muscle or fat that day," said Frint. "The amount of physical activity I receive while being in the Air Force definitely helps me out by keeping me in constant shape to prepare for the competition."
No matter what the goal is, with hard work and the perseverance anyone can achieve the physical goal they want.
"There were lots of times were I didn't know if I was going to be able to make my competition. Twelve weeks out I thought to myself, 'I have no abs, what is going on?' But my trainers assured me that I shouldn't worry," Frint said.
Even if not striving to compete in a bodybuilding competition or trying to bulk up, people who are more active will likely stay healthy and fit to fight in the Air Force.
"The most important goal of anyone who is trying to improve the physical fitness is to start off slow, set a goal, set a schedule and stick to that schedule; and always remember to stay aware of what you put into your body," Frint said. "Really step back and think, 'Is what I am eating going to help me or hurt me in the long run?'"
Motivation can often make or break people's desire to accomplish their goal. A wingman can be the best motivation to keep on track and help accomplish many tasks. No individual is without doubts, especially when working toward a lifelong goal; but Frint made sure he stayed motivated to achieve his goals.
"It was a hard role for me and for my wife. She had to deal with my mood swings when I wanted sweets. Without her love and support and the help of my trainers it would have been a bumpier road," Frint said.
