HAWC challenges Sheppard

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mike Meares
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  'Tis the season - for resolutions.

Facebook feeds were filled in the first few days after the New Year with bold, life-changing statements to be a better person, lose weight, quit smoking, go back to school, get involved in the community, go to the gym and spend more time with family and friends, just to name a few.

"The New Year's is a great time for people to reflect on the things that have worked well for them in the past, or haven't worked well for them, identify what they want to do and make positive changes," said Lt. Col. Valerie Castle, Health and Wellness Center flight commander. "Establishing habits of health and fitness will really help us all as an Air Force and as individuals."

The Health and Wellness Center at the Pitsenbarger Gym on Sheppard took it a step further. They are offering a launching pad, also known as the 90-Day Body Challenge, to help those who need a kickstart in meeting their resolutions. This is the third, and most comprehensive, iteration of the program to encompass all the services the HAWC offers to promote a healthy lifestyle.

This is a challenge to not just make a resolution, but to live up to it.

"Ninety days is the time it takes for people to develop a habit," Castle said. "Folks tend to think about their health and well-being at the beginning of the New Year's, whether they are resolution setters or not, it's always a good time to get re-engaged."

Beginning Jan. 20, members who want to participate will need to make an appointment with the HAWC. They will receive a three site skinfold analysis, courtesy abdominal circumference taping and step on the scales. The numbers generated from the calibrations will serve as a guide to how much progress each person is making during the challenge, with a final analysis at the end.

The HAWC, fitness center and behavioral health optimization program will provide the Better Body Better Life program, Combat Fitness, Running Improvement, Initial SMART Goal Setting Class and a Health Behavior Modification Class, to name a few.

"Goals are best achieved if they are set by the individuals, aligned with their values and provided the mechanisms to have internal motivations to reach those goals," Castle said.

Better Body Better life is a four week program that educates members in realistic weight management through nutrition, physical activity and behavioral modification. The Running Improvement Program, or RIP'd, coaches people for 12 weeks to be efficient while improving core strength, flexibility and muscular endurance. The SMART Goals are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bound, goals. Functional Fitness is an introduction to working out in the gym and learning the proper techniques to prevent injury.

The HAWC staff understands the process of changing physically begins with conquering the mental roadblocks first, while being held accountable. The staff is available to help anyone who has gym access to get a comprehensive and individual plan to fit their schedule and personal goals.

"Community support is very, very important when trying to make permanent changes," said John Green, HAWC exercise physiologist. "We are the reinforcements for those that might be struggling. We can help them make adjustments to their workouts, encourage them. When you try to do it on your own, it's human nature to revert back to what we were before."

For some, a total 180-degree turn around to take control of their lives might be what they need. For others, like Capt. (Chaplain) Karl Blancaflor, 82nd Training Wing chaplain, making small adjustments to an established plan changes his patterns of behavior.

"I'm a big fan of health and wellness, and it's a big part of spiritual resiliency," he said. "I'm a Christian and believe in taking care of the body God has given me. I'm not looking for Earth shattering decisions, but that doesn't mean it won't happen."

The program is open to any servicemember stationed at Sheppard, civilians and family members. To get involved in the 90-Day Body Challenge, call the HAWC at 676-4292.