Commit to Fit '08, shed those holiday pounds

  • Published
  • By Rhonda Siciliano
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AFB, Mass. --  The Hanscom Health and Wellness Center is kicking off a program to help people get healthier in the new year and shed some of those holiday pounds.

"Commit to Fit is a New Year's resolution incentive program designed to give participants understanding in nutrition, stress management and exercise" said Will Carpenter, HAWC, director. "The goal of the program is simple: lose 10 holiday pounds in eight weeks."

The program will run from Jan. 13 to March 7 and is open to all Active Duty and Department of Defense civilians. The program includes diet and body fat analysis, workout regimens, incentives, weekly education and motivation in addition to classes and tips on stress management. 

The last day to sign up for the Commit to Fit program is Jan. 13. Anyone interested in participating should go to the HAWC located in Building 1540. Upon enrollment, participants are required to have a Tanita scale reading completed to measure Body Mass Index, Body Fat Percentage, Fat Free Mass and Fat Mass. Participants can also sign up for a Microfit test which is a one time assessment to measure flexibility, muscle strength and cardio fitness to help design a more effective program for each individual to follow.

"We encourage our civilian employees to get a free cholesterol screening in advance of starting this program to ensure that they are healthy enough to begin a workout routine. It's not required but we highly encourage it," Mr. Carpenter said.

DoD civilians can schedule an appointment for a cholesterol screening with Deanne Casey, Civilian Health Promotion Program, nurse coordinator, health educator at (781) 377-8467.

After registering for the program, participants will be provided an original score sheet that they will use to track points earned. Points will be earned by attending educational and fitness classes or by keeping a diet log. Score sheets must be initialed by instructors upon completion of a class or event.

Participants will have an opportunity to earn a total of 2065 total points. First, second and third place prizes will be awarded to those accumulating a percentage of the total points: first place, 92 percent; second place, 84 to 91 percent and third place, 75 to 83 percent of total points earned.

Once registered for Commit to Fit, enrollees will receive informational emails from the HAWC about upcoming classes.

For more information on programs offered through the HAWC or to sign up for Commit to Fit '08 call (781) 377-3095.