I have a dream...to be fitter

  • Published
  • By Maj. Cathy S. Snowball
  • 48th Medical Group Health and Wellness Center
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  We have all began the New Year with lofty ideas about getting fit and losing weight. In fact, a recent internet search found that weight loss and getting fit are consistently listed in the top five New Year resolutions of most people. In January we see gym parking lots packed and cardio rooms bursting with people, but those who are religious about exercise, await smugly because you know after about 4 to 6 weeks things get back to normal and there is plenty of room in the gym!

Professor Richard Wiseman from the University of Hertfordshire studied 3000 people who made New Year's resolutions over the course of 2007. In his study only 12% of the participants were successful at sticking with their resolutions.

So, now you are thinking, if only 12% of people in his study accomplished what they set out to change in 2007, why even try? The study did have some great tips for resolution makers, it identified that you are more likely to succeed if you set goals, tell others of your plans to make changes in your life, and re-examine past resolutions to see where you went wrong.

Let 2009 be the year that you overcome the statistics.

The RAF Lakenheath Fitness Center and the Health and Wellness Center (HAWC) are partnering in a program named "I HAVE A DREAM....TO BE HEALTHIER". This program kicks off on 20 Jan 09 and will run until May 09. It will encompass all the areas suggested in the study such as; goal setting, group support, and also looking into your past experiences with diet and exercise to help you plan how to accomplish your dream of being healthier. As part of the program special classes will be offered by the RAFL Fitness Center as well as the HAWC each month and several national health campaigns will be supported during this time frame.

In January, coinciding with National Healthy Weight Month the HAWC will show you how to read a food label, ensure you are using correct portion sizes show you how to set fitness and nutrition goals that are realistic for your life-style, and also show you how to keep track of your progress.

In February, you will receive an orientation of the Fitness Center and get you started exercising. A 10% discount on a personal training session for program participants is offered during the first week in February. The HAWC exercise physiologist will offer a "running and proper shoe wear clinic" and the HAWC nutrition technicians will educate you on sports nutrition and health supplements.

As we celebrate National Nutrition Month in March, the HAWC will help you discover to shop healthily for your family without breaking the bank, and also show you how to prepare quick, nutritious, low calorie meals, and also help you get to the bottom of emotional eating habits.

To finish strong in April the HAWC is sponsoring weekly seminars that will help you get in tune with your "mind, body and spirit", focusing on how to stay mentally healthy. The Fitness Center will offer a 10% discount on Massage Therapy the 3rd week of April.

The "I Have A Dream" program is open to all ID card holders who have over 18 years of age. Call the Fitness center at 226-3607 or the HAWC at 226-2710 for more information.