Individuals learn to better their body and their life

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christopher R. Morales
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  The Better Body Better Life program educates people on nutritional, fitness and behavioral changes for the better.

Every Wednesday from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Health and Wellness Center, anyone with base access can attend one of the five classes being taught by the HAWC educators. The themes for each class in order are nutrition, carbohydrates, choices, planning and training.

"Every group is different, the interactions [within each] group help because the same struggles and perception lead discussions on how to change for the better," said Lisa Schuette, class leader, registered dietitian and health educator. "I've been doing this for more than four years and I'm not tired because it's constantly changing."

Every class starts with a weigh-in to determine weight and body fat, a lot of handouts and a couple of ice breakers. They end with a nutrition, fitness and behavioral goal for the next week and review of the last week's.

The class also teaches how to make S.M.A.R.T. goals - goals that are specific, measurable, adjustable, realistic and timely.

Nutrition and fitness go hand-in-hand for a healthy lifestyle, Schuette explained. How much emphasis to put on each depends on the person.

"It is very difficult to lose weight by purely doing only fitness," Schuette said. "We are giving them the tools to help because there is no one way that works for everybody."

The health educators discuss nutritional subjects such as portion sizes, calorie counting, meal planning and more. Some behavioral changes they discuss are managing stress, positive thinking, goal setting, problem solving and more.

"I believe they try their best to educate us on all aspects of nutrition and healthy living," said Kimberly Kamarov, spouse of Spc. Yan Kamarov, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 501st Infantry, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) 25th Infantry Division. "This class really opened my eyes to a bunch of things."

Kamarov has been a part of the program for more than five months and plans to continue going.

"At first I heard [about the class] from my [primary care manager], I thought 'Oh, this is just another nutrition class, it's not going to help me,' but I was very surprised," Kamarov said. "In a lot of ways, these classes have improved my living."

After taking one of the classes about sleep hygiene, she discovered she had many of the symptoms of sleep apnea, so she got tested just in case.

"It really saved my life because I do have sleep apnea; now that is being worked on," Kamarov said. "I'm feeling much better."

Kamarov said she has adjusted her meal planning and also cooks with her husband. It's a bonding experience that leads to better wellbeing.

"I don't want to just put someone on a diet, we are creating a healthy lifestyle," Schuette said. "It depends on their goals whether or not they make progress, hit a plateau, or develop low motivation. We can help."

Throughout the four years Schuette has worked as at the HAWC, hundreds of people have attended these classes. Anyone with base access can attend any number of classes they like and stop whenever they want.

For more information, call the HAWC at 552-2361.