Base offers weight loss program

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ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE --  Do you want to lose weight the healthy way? Do you desire clothing that not only fits well, but looks great too? 

The Health and Wellness Center and the Equal Employment Opportunity Office are coming together to form a free support group called the "Lifestyle Makeover Challenge" that focuses on every level of health and wellness. 

The Lifestyle Makeover Challenge is a 12-week, participant- centered support group, that focuses on meeting the weight and wellness goals of base employees and their family members. The program will concentrate on various behavior change strategies to implement and maintain a healthy lifestyle. 

To jumpstart the program, the HAWC is seeking 25 people who feel they are at least 20 pounds overweight or who haven't participated in a fitness program regularly in more than 6 months. 

People in this group are at a higher risk for diabetes, high blood pressure, hypertension and other chronic illnesses. 

The first meeting will be held at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 8 in the HAWC's new education facility in Bldg. 87, Room 342, and meetings will continue through Feb. 10.
At the initial meeting, physical fitness and nutritional experts will be on hand to conduct prescreenings for potential participants. 

The prescreening will determine if participants have preexisting health risk factors, and require individual diet and exercise plans. 

Each participant will recieve a monthly meal and workout plan. The physical fitness program intensity will increase as the program progresses. Addtionally, each participant will receive a free pedometer. 

Following the initial meeting, the group will come together at 11:30 a.m. every Wednesday for a "lunch bunch" meeting. Over sack lunches, doctors from the 97th Medical Group and other experts will speak about various health topics, and HAWC personnel will conduct health screening, fitness assessments, nutrition consultations and recipe modifications. 

Results will be charted every week, and the last Wednesday of the month, the person who has made the most progress will receive incentives such as gift certificates for spa treatments and massage, gym bags, and more. 

For the duration of the program, the HAWC will offer classes such as "Stretch and Flex" five days a week and "Circuit Training" two days a week. 

At the conclusion of the The Lifestyle Makeover Challenge, the HAWC and EEO office will hold the "Evening of Elegance Gala," where participants can share their accomplishments with family and friends. 

For more information or to sign up for The Lifestyle Makeover Challenge, call Erica Hall, 481-5013, or Janet Grund, 481-5647. 

(Information courtesy of the Health and Wellness Center)