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HAWC teaches 'eat clean, train mean to get lean'

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sean M. Crowe
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  The Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Health and Wellness Center kicked off its forefront campaign, the New Year's Resolution Eight-Week Weight Loss Challenge, to keep community members on track with their New Year's resolutions Jan. 19, 2014, here.

The program synergizes existing and new programs to provide military members and their families with knowledge, tools, support and motivation to change long-term health goals.

Participants weigh in at the beginning of the eight-week challenge to gauge their progress throughout the duration of the event. Each week the HAWC will host a lunch-and-learn event with topics including weight-loss fundamentals, nutrition and exercise, which will help participants lose weight and lead a healthier lifestyle as well as help service members stay fit for duty.

"The program edifies people to lose weight and to keep it off," said Rebecca Rhodes, HAWC health promotion manager from North Bangor, N.Y. "This program is not focused as much on immediate or quick weight loss, but rather long term health goals."

Many people who resolve to lose weight can begin to experience complacency upon achieving a short term goal. The challenge aims to provide building blocks to succeed with long-term goals.

"It takes time and effort to develop good habits," said Rhodes. "It takes most people about six months to achieve that healthier lifestyle and begin maintaining good habits."
Long-term goals can be very beneficial to service members struggling to maintain fitness standards.

"I've seen our programs benefit a Sailor who failed his PT(physical training) test," said Claire DiVito, 87th Aerospace Medicine Squadron registered dietician. "He came to see me before the 2013 holidays concerned about meeting his upcoming fitness evaluation, so I gave him a body-fat analysis. He e-mailed me after the holidays and let me know that he had lost two pounds. If he stays on the course he has begun, I have no doubt that he can lead a healthy lifestyle."

A healthy lifestyle is the ultimate goal of the eight-week challenge.

Rhodes conclusively said continuous education, even after the program, and constant effort are the two pinnacle ways to achieve a healthy lifestyle.

The HAWC ended the sign-up process Jan. 17, but offers the majority of the classes in the challenge at other times. Anyone seeking additional information about classes should contact the HAWC at (609) 754-2462.