WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- It’s a new year, a perfect time to start off with realistic fitness goals and make better choices that will help you stay on track to a healthier lifestyle.
That’s what Eric Thayer, 88th Force Support Squadron Airman & Family Readiness Center flight chief, does at the start of every year, throughout the year and for the past 15 years or so.
Thayer, an Army Reservist-turned civil servant, has always worked out and strength trained. It was in 2004 when former Chief of Staff, Gen. John P. Jumper, implemented the Fit-to-Fight program that he decided to see how much he can improve his fitness regimens.
His personal goal led him to perfecting the Air Force PT test with a score of 100% for the next ten years.
Then, in 2015 while working out in the gym, a bodybuilder approached him and asked if he competed. Never having a thought about bodybuilding prior, Thayer decided that competing may be something he would be interested in.
Having been fit and lean his entire life, his perception of bodybuilders were of Mr. Olympia-type competitors, 300 lbs of massive muscles.
Thayer researched competition types and found that there were categories more appropriate to his physique. He then set a new fitness goal, which turned into multiple goals that he continued to accomplish up until today.
Thayer is an avid natural bodybuilder. “Natural” refers to abstaining from performance-enhancing drugs such as anabolic steroids, insulin, diuretics and growth hormone. He has competed in competitions hosted by the Global Bodybuilding Organization and won multiple categories in competitions hosted by the National Gym Association.
Just as any Air Force fitness expert would claim, Thayer stressed that diet played an integral part to his successes as well as trying to fulfill the Comprehensive Airman Fitness components that fosters mental, physical, social and spiritual fitness.
“Doing the ‘big’ stuff was easier to do such as staying away from high sugary products, high fats and deli meats,” he said. “It’s the smaller things such as portion control that people don’t think of.”
He continued to explain that the mental part was a bit challenging.
“Battling my mind and the thoughts of starting the diet part to prep for a competition was the hardest. I had to fight my mind every day, but once I got started, I looked back and thought to myself ‘that wasn’t too bad,’” he said.
He shared a recent accomplishment where he ran a 14 mile distance. In the past he always capped his distance at 6 miles each time. He overcame the limit by believing and just running for longer.
He said it’s the same when you lift in the gym. “If you tell yourself all you can lift is 50 lbs, than your mind will convince you that you will never go pass that number,” he said. “It’s not always physical, the physical part is probably only 20 percent of it--your mind is 80.”
Collectively, some of Thayer’s staff members share their fitness goals with each other.
“We keep each other motivated, talk about our routine and our progress—it keeps us accountable,” he added.
Although it may seem unrealistic to keep up a bodybuilder’s diet/routine throughout the year, Thayer still continues strength training at least three times per week and cardio on the weekends.
“Stay the course--I’m in my fifties and I’m still peaking in my fitness,” said Thayer.
Thayer’s hobbies include fitness and camping, and anything that includes peace and quiet.