Skip main navigation

Military Health System

Clear Your Cache

Health.mil has undergone a recent update. For the best user experience we recommend clearing your browser cache.

Get into fighting weight with the 2021 Total Force Fitness Challenge

Image of Soldier, wearing a mask, with fists ready to punch. The Defense Health Agency encourages all beneficiaries to ‘Get Into Fighting Weight.'

Weight gain around the holiday season is common. However, this year’s ongoing social distancing restrictions due to COVID-19 could present new challenges for those trying to stay in shape.

On Jan. 4, 2021, the Uniformed Services University’s Consortium for Health and Military Performance (CHAMP) launched the 2021 Total Force Fitness Challenge: Get Into Fighting Weight. This campaign will help Military Service Members recommit to their fitness and weight goals by taking on challenges that promote aspects of health and performance that can impact their weight.

“Embracing the Total Force Fitness framework is essential for weight loss, which means taking a holistic approach,” said Dr. Patricia Deuster, a professor at the Uniformed Services University and executive director of CHAMP. “This translates into forming healthy eating behaviors, making sure to get the right amount of exercise, having a positive outlook, being connected socially, committing to a realistic goal, and being ready. Success is more likely with a TFF approach than focusing on only one behavior.”

Human Performance Resources by CHAMP highlights strategies and resources from their Get Into Fighting Weight: A Total Force Fitness Guide. This guide takes an integrative approach to weight loss that is safe and sustainable. The five challenges detailed in the guide will help you learn how to set your own goals to meet your Service’s readiness standards. Each week on various social media platforms, HPRC will post resources, including live video discussions around that week’s challenge.

Someone trying to lose weight might consider dietary supplements as a quick solution to lose weight. Supplements might seem like the easiest way, but they also might not be safe or effective. Operation Supplement Safety (OPSS) joins the Challenge to help Military Service Members and healthcare providers sort through information on popular ingredients and dietary supplement products marketed for weight loss. OPSS will also post updated articles and tools daily on social media, including live video discussions.

In conjunction with Military OneSource, both HPRC and OPSS will participate in daily live events every Wednesdays in January. Tune into each chat and submit your questions in the comment section by visiting Military OneSource’s Facebook page (@MilitaryOneSource) to view and participate live. 

  • Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021 at 12 p.m. EST
    - Get into Fighting Weight Challenge 2: Create a one week meal plan
  • Added bonus! Friday, Jan. 15, 2021 at 12 p.m. EST
    - Get into Fighting Weight: Dietary Supplements and Weight Loss
  • Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021 at 12 p.m. EST
    - Get into Fighting Weight Challenge 3: Get enough exercise
  • Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021 at 12 p.m. EST
    - Get into Fighting Weight Challenge 4: Get 7-8 hours of sleep
  • Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021 at 12 p.m. EST
    - Get into Fighting Weight Challenge 5: Manage stress

Each daily live event will also be available for viewing on Military OneSource’s social media pages after they air.

You can join the challenge by following HPRC (@HPRConline) and OPSS (@OPSSinfo) on social media. Follow their posts and share your progress using #TFFChallenge2021. 

You also may be interested in...

Fact Sheet
Jan 9, 2024

Hearing Protector Fit-Testing Requirement in the Department of Defense

.PDF | 331.11 KB

Significant updates to the Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 6055.12 “Hearing Conservation Program” are expected to be published in April 2023. The significant change is a new requirement for initial hearing protector fit-testing to be conducted for all DOD personnel who have documented noise exposure greater than or equal to 95 dBA 8-hour time ...

Article
Dec 28, 2023

Making Feats for the Feet with Naval Hospital Bremerton’s Podiatrist

U.S. Navy Lt. Edee Renier, staff podiatrist assigned to Naval Hospital Bremerton’s  Orthopedic department shares her expertise in handling foot and ankle specific medical conditions, such as ankle sprains, strains, and fractures.  (Photo by Douglas H Stutz, Naval Hospital Bremerton public affairs officer)

When it comes to healing heels, such feats for the feet are the specialty of Naval Hospital Bremerton’s foot doctor. U.S. Navy Lt. Edee Renier, staff podiatrist assigned to NHB’s Orthopedic department, is helping U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps personnel keep operational ready and able to stand on their own two feet.

Article
Oct 4, 2023

Stemming the Tide: Navy Medicine and the Egyptian Cholera Epidemic of 1947

Over three months, cholera spread across 2,270 towns and villages in Egypt killing over half of its victims. According to one estimate over 20,000 Egyptians died of cholera. (Graphic by Andre Sobocinski)

On September 21, 1947, a man was admitted to the Al-Qurayn (El Korein) Hospital in Egypt vomiting profusely and suffering severe diarrhea. Within hours, he was dead. The attending physician on duty first suspected food poisoning before 11 additional patients were admitted with identical symptoms. Their diagnosis was cholera, a deadly bacterial disease ...

Article
Sep 29, 2023

Real Life Falls Are Not a Laughing Matter: Protect your Body, Ego

Each year thousands of military personnel injure themselves because of falls from vehicles and equipment, tripping over objects, and slipping on hazardous surfaces like ice, snow, or water. Injuries include lacerations requiring stitches, concussions or head injury, sprained ankles, wrists or hands, and broken bones. These often require ER visits and can result in temporary disability and lost duty time for many days or even months. (Defense Centers for Public Health-Aberdeen graphic illustration by Joyce Kopatch)

Cartoons typically portray slips or falls as comical accidents. But falls are no laughing matter. Falls often cause injuries that require emergency room visits for injuries such as lacerations requiring stitches, concussions or head injury, sprained ankles, wrists or hands, or broken bones. Learn how to prevent fall-related injuries.

Skip subpage navigation
Refine your search
Last Updated: February 25, 2025
Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on X Follow us on YouTube Sign up on GovDelivery