Warren missileer wins three fitness awards; 90th OSS CGO makes history by taking Ms. Fitness, Ms. Physique and Mile High Model Search titles in July at Colorado event

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Alex Martinez
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affaris
FE WARREN AFB, WYO. --   Her body begins to shake, exhausted and weak from the balancing act she has to perform. The one arm holding her up trembles and sweats as her muscles fatigue. A smile remains on her face, hiding the misery of her pose. 

Against all odds, she remains calm and collected. She did it; it paid off. Her one-armed push-up dazzled the crowd of hundreds, shined through the intense glow of the spotlight, and proved that great things can be done under the most extreme situations, even when you're only fueled by adrenaline. She is Ms. Fitness Colorado 2008. 

Just a few months ago, 1st Lt. Dianna Porter, 90th Operations Support Squadron, only dreamed of winning a fitness competition title, but she wasn't discouraged. In fact, she made competition history when she competed July 19 in Denver, Colo. In addition to her 
Ms. Fitness Colorado 2008 title, she won Ms. Physique Colorado 2008, and placed first in the Mile High Model Search competition. This was the first time a competitor has won all three events. 

"I was not expecting to win at all," said Lieutenant Porter. "I was in shock and excited at the same time. The competition was really my drive for me to get into better shape." 

She said just a few months ago, a fitness competition was only something she would catch once in a while on ESPN, but she always thought she could do it. She began training, both physically and nutritionally for the qualifying competition in July. Since she won that competition, she is eligible to compete for Ms. Fitness USA September 8 - 10 in Las Vegas. 

Lieutenant Porter said she's nervous about the Ms. Fitness USA competition, but is preparing for success. 

"I know I really need to work hard to go there and do well," she said. 

In order to win the Ms. Fitness Colorado title, Lieutenant Porter had to do well in three rounds of competition that included a 90-second strength performance to music, a physique round that judged tone and body structure, and the third round was a speech evaluation requiring competitors to recite a speech of their choice. A dialogue given by Audrey Hepburn was Lieutenant Porter's choice. 

The tedious task of maintaining a competition-ready body is almost unfathomable. She has to work out almost every day, incorporating all the key fitness aspects as endurance, tone, strength and stamina. She even works out once a week in Denver with a trainer, who by the way, is the current Ms. Fitness USA. 

Lieutenant Porter's nutrition is the second beast of her body maintenance. A low carb, low fat and low sugar diet is a necessity for her. A typical dinner consists of a 6 oz. piece of salmon and small portions of broccoli and sweet potato or brown rice. When a competition nears, the diet gets even stricter. 

The couple of days before, Lieutenant Porter has to extremely cut down on her water intake and cut the consumption of salts all together. 

"It's hard to be on such a diet," she said. "I still have to work out at the same time and I have almost no energy. It's tough." 

Being a missileer as well as a fitness competitor is not an easy task for Lieutenant Porter. 

"I've been very lucky to have good leadership who support me and my competitions," she said. 

After her competition next month, which she hopes to win, Lieutenant Porter has fitness goals that affect more than just her. She plans to one day open up her own gym, earn a personal trainer certification and help others with their fitness aspirations. 

"I hope to inspire others to reach their personnel best," Lieutenant Porter said. 

She said a word of advice to Airmen or anyone who wants to compete in a competition like this, "Do not get discouraged. It takes a lot of diligence. Don't expect yourself to be in competition shape fast; it's not going to happen. It takes time." 

Lieutenant Porter will represent not only Colorado at the national competition next month, but she will represent the 90th OSS, Warren and the entire Air Force as a fitness competitor who aims to fly high with victory.