2007 Prescription for Wellness kicks off

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. LuCelia Nagel
  • 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  On Nov. 3, 2006, the Eglin Eagle introduced the Health and Wellness Center's Prescription for Wellness series, a holistic approach to living a healthier, more balanced life. The program, set to kick off today, is based on Air Force Materiel Command's wellness and safety campaign and encourages balance in four dimensions, or pillars: physical, social, emotional and spiritual.

A multidisciplinary team comprised of a doctor, a nurse, a registered dietician, a fitness expert, a psychologist, a chaplain and a financial expert worked together to develop the prescription.

"The aim of this program is to help individuals make small, sustainable lifestyle changes over a period of six months," said Regina Groundwater, HAWC Health Promotion Manager. "Each month builds on the previous one with additional recommendations relating to safety and the dimensions of wellness."

Four people from Team Eglin have volunteered to publicly participate in the series and have completed various baseline assessments to include wellness survey, height, weight, body fat, blood pressure, cholesterol and an overall fitness assessment.

Each month, program participants will adopt the top two mandatory Wellness Prescription recommendations and then choose two of the three optional recommendations.

In addition to the prescription, the Eglin Eagle will feature various health-related articles to help participants along in their wellness journey.

"In the end, progress will not only be measured in physical improvements, but in how participants feel overall," Ms. Groundwater said. "The best part is, based on the information provided, anyone may follow the program and benefit from living a healthier, more balanced life."

For people interested in participating in the Prescription for Wellness, go to the AFMC Wellness Web site at www.afmcwellness.com and complete the Health Risk Appraisal.
The HRA will help identify areas people are doing well in and those that may require some attention.

Bring the "Certificate of Health Risk Appraisal Completion" to the HAWC to register for the program and receive a free pedometer and other incentives.

Meet the participants
Staff Sgt. Susan Cordova, 96th Aerospace Medicine Squadron. Sergeant Cordova recently lost a parent and a friend to health-related issues. She wants to make a positive change in her life to live a healthier lifestyle. Goal: To lose weight.

Beth Anne Woods, 96th Air Base Wing. Ms. Woods is participating because she feels her life is "scattered" after battling breast cancer and she would like to get everything back in order.
Goal: To eat and exercise right and to regain control of her life in order become a more happy and confident person.

Nick D'Aquila, 796th Civil Engineer Squadron. Mr. D'Aquila feels he is getting older and wants to live a healthier lifestyle.
Goal: To lose 25 pounds by his birthday in July.

James Tolbert, retiree. Mr. Tolbert joined the program because he has recently retired after a long military career and wants to live longer to enjoy his retirement. He was diagnosed with high blood pressure and high cholesterol and identified as "at risk" for a stroke. Goal: To lose some weight and lower his cholesterol.

Part 1: Exercise for busy people
No one is too busy to squeeze exercise into their day. Don't think hours in the gym are necessary to reap the benefits of exercise. The good news is that exercise can be accumulated throughout the day without even setting foot in the gym.

As a society, we tend to choose the option that requires the least physical movement. We park close to our destination so we don't have to walk as far. We opt for the elevator over the stairs and sit at our desk all day, then go home and sit some more. The excuses for our physical inactivity are plentiful: too busy, too tired or it is too hard.

According to a 2005 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 50 percent of people do not get enough physical activity to promote health benefits; 24 percent are not active at all in their leisure time. Physical activity does not need to be strenuous to be beneficial. Everyone can benefit from moderate-intensity exercise and it is easier to accomplish than you think.

A good goal is to accumulate at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days of the week. This can be as simple as three 10-minute walks or one moderate paced 30-minute walk. Once people change their movement patterns from sedentary to active, they will begin to have more energy and better health. By sneaking exercise in all day, there's still plenty of time left for everything else. The following list provides many ideas to increase your physical activity level, but it is up to each person to put forth the effort and get moving.

· Walk as much as possible. The goal is to get 10,000 steps per day, which is equal to approximately 5 miles. Call the HAWC (883-8023 or 883-8020) to get a free pedometer.
· Housework and yard work count towards your exercise total. Try performing chores at a faster pace to increase heart rate.
· Take the stairs
· Include strength training exercises, such as wall or desk push-ups, desk or stationary chair dips, squats, leg lifts, calf raises and lunges.
· Stretch at a desk or at home while watching television.
· Do abdominal crunches during the commercial breaks of television shows.
· Try to include a couple recreational activities every week, such as biking, swimming or golf.
· Consider purchasing resistance training bands for more options for strength training.
· A stability ball is a great inexpensive piece of equipment to use for abdominal and lower back exercises.

More energy, lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol and an increased metabolism are just some of the benefits of exercise, so get moving! The A3 Academy offers a class called Exercise for Busy People to help you begin to add exercise to your life. Call (850) 883-8020 for more information or register on the A3 website.