Prevent health from 'falling' this autumn

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Victor J. Caputo
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. - --  It's beginning to feel a lot like fall around McConnell: the trees are shedding their leaves, it's starting to cool down and that Kansas wind is starting to bite.

With the drop in temperature and the promise of holiday meals lurking around the corner, it's important for Airmen to keep their fitness and a healthy diet in mind.

"People gain one to five pounds over the holidays," said Meribeth Havran, 22nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron Health and Wellness Center community dietician. "The problem is that most people don't lose that in January and February and ten years later, you're fifteen pounds heavier."

One way to stay in shape is to continue working out despite the cold weather.

"Bring it all inside," said Laura Markuly, 22nd AMDS HAWC exercise physiologist and health educator. "We've got a great fitness center loaded with classes, new equipment and people to help set up a plan for getting in shape."

The HAWC is continuing its annual Healthy Holiday Challenge this year to help base personnel maintain their weight during the holiday season. The program, which runs from Nov. 30 to Jan. 4, will encourage people to continue their exercise routines throughout the holidays.

"The goal isn't to lose weight throughout the holidays; it's not a diet program," said Havran. "I want people to get to January and not gain weight over the holidays."

Meetings will be held each Friday of the month to conduct weigh-ins and discuss fitness and healthy eating tips. Advice on how to handle special meals and having a plan for temptations will also be discussed during meetings, said Havran.

On a normal day, the average person will consume between 1,500 and 1,800 calories, during Thanksgiving, that number increases to around 4,000 calories.

"Exercise will balance any excess calorie intake," said Markuly. "But usually people don't [workout] enough."

Consistent exercise is a key part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

"We want to be looking at five to six days a week of 60 to 90 minutes of cardio plus at least two days of weight training a week," said Markuly.

To sign up for the Healthy Holiday Challenge, call the HAWC at (316) 759-6150 or email 22.hawc@us.af.mil.

For more information on programs offered by the HAWC, call (316) 759-6024.