HAWC sponsors Healthy Weight Month

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Eric Harris
  • 35th Fighter Wing public affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  January is a month to reflect on the year past and set goals to shape the year to come. The Health and Wellness Center is sponsoring Healthy Weight Month this January for that reason -- to give the community the knowledge to maintain a healthy weight.

Not only are people more weight conscious during the New Year, but the Air Force has become more weight conscious with the 'Fit to Fight' campaign.

Those who would like to know what a healthy weight is can take a look at the Body Mass Index chart. The goal is to get into a normal weight range on the chart. Overweight is defined as having a BMI of 25 to 29.9 and obese is a BMI of 30 or more.

Having a BMI above 25 can be a concern, according to Capt. Jennifer Bradley of the HAWC, because of the many health problems that can arise from being overweight or obese, including but not limited to heart problems, Type 2 Diabetes and sleep problems.

The National Heart Blood and Lung Institute provides an online BMI calculator at www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi.

Getting to and maintaining a healthy weight starts with knowing what food you put into your body, according to Captain Bradley. Always check the label to see how many calories you are about to eat. Also, check to the serving size -- many times one container will hold multiple servings.

"Your body will take time to get used to cutting back," she said. "You have to go through the cravings, it's a lifestyle change."

The HAWC offers one-on-one counseling for individuals who are trying to lose weight as well as the Sensible Weigh class. Sensible Weigh is a four-week course with monthly follow-ups to help teach people ways to stay at a healthy weight. Also, starting soon, the Health and Wellness Center will be doing exercise prescriptions, to develop exercise routines that are tailored to the individual.

As part of Healthy Weight Month, the HAWC will be sponsoring health counseling for the Biggest Loser competition, as well as holding an indoor Triathlon on Jan. 26. The Triathlon will consist of a ten minute swim, 20 minute run, and 30 minute bike. Prizes will be awarded to individuals in first and second place as well as the first place team.

For more information on maintaining a healthy weight, or any of the HAWC activities, call 226-6653.