Aviano member builds a better body

  • Published
  • By Kenneth Godden
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Last October Tech. Sgt. Delana Jemison, one of Aviano’s own, took second place at the 2005 U.S. Forces Morale, Welfare and Recreation Bodybuilding Championship in Kaiserslautern, Germany.

This October, she said she’ll be heading back to the championship to take first.

Sergeant Jemison, assigned to the 31st Logistics Readiness Squadron, has been into physical fitness since high school and started working toward bodybuilding once she joined the Air Force in 1989.

“I always liked the look of bodybuilders as a kid, and while I was in Korea I met a friend who started pushing me toward bodybuilding,” said Sergeant Jemison. “Mainly, I did it for myself.”

Once she was established as a bodybuilder, Sergeant Jemison was encouraged to compete. During her first competition, at Kunsan Air Base, Korea, she earned first place and overall best. She later went on to win first place in the 2002 and 2003 Guam National Bodybuilding Championships.

A lot of time and hard work goes into preparing for competitions like these.

“I typically work out about one hour twice a day, with cardio in the morning and weight training and cardio again in the evening,” said Sergeant Jemison “I eat six small meals a day that contain a lot of protein and carbs. Diet plays an integral role in training when going into a competition because it is immediately apparent as to whom has not been following a proper diet when you get up on the stand.

“Bodybuilding is kind of like the science of how your body responds to your workout, so everyone’s approach will be different,” she said.

Besides the obvious physical benefits of this lifestyle, there are others that people might not realize.

“Some women have concerns about the way they look, so bodybuilding gives them a chance to feel more confident about their appearance,” said Sergeant Jemison. “This will also give you a full body workout.”

There is also the knowledge gained of one’s body and diet that are learned from actively studying writings on healthy living.

Sergeant Jemison isn’t hesitant to offer information for people wanting to get into bodybuilding.

“You should go for a more symmetrical look,” said Sergeant Jemison. “Figuring out what weight you want to compete at and finding the right poses to show off what you have worked hard for also helps.”