HAWC helps Airmen maintain physical readiness

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kristina Overton
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  According to the World Health Organization, "Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." Taking care of ourselves, especially in the Air Force, isn't just about exercising every day, it's also about eating right and building healthy, lifelong habits. To assist in building those habits, organizations like the Health and Wellness Center have been put in place to help Airmen, retirees and their families stay in the best possible shape.

"The HAWC is designed to help people change their lifestyles, to help move them to a healthier state through all the programs and assistance that we offer," said Kirk Clark, HAWC exercise physiologist.

The HAWC provides a "one-stop" facility for health and fitness assessments, awareness and prevention intervention and exercise prescriptions. The HAWC also offers a variety of classes and services. Some of these services include hypertension, cholesterol, diabetes and weight-loss classes.

The HAWC also has a new program called the Right Weigh. Right Weigh is a two part class designed to help participants establish lifelong eating and activity habits that put them on the road to improved health. It is set up to help make gradual, but permanent, lifestyle changes, resulting in higher energy levels, decreased health risks and improved weight management.

"Typically people get caught up in fad diets and short-term fixes and are surprised when they don't work or it doesn't keep the weight off," said Jacquie Maillet, HAWC health promotion dietician. "The programs we provide teach people to set goals and gradually progress toward them. We don't expect participants to jump from one extreme to the next; we encourage them on their own terms to change a few things at a time. By adjusting and maintaining these changes, they improve their lifestyles."

The HAWC provides nutritional information, recipes, pamphlets, Web sites and resources to help people make healthier decisions.

Other nutritional programs include a cholesterol reduction clinic and diabetes counseling classes.

"With the disease management classes, we see major development in participant's blood lab results," Mrs. Maillet said. "We keep track of their progression, and thus far, results have shown significant improvements. What the patients are doing is working and we're really proud to see them better their health."

The HAWC offers a tobacco cessation and prevention intervention program as well. This program is tailored to each individual, helping them find the most effective and practical method to kick the habit. The fresh start tobacco class is designed for those who enjoy having the support of others in a group setting.

The facility also offers a full variety of exercise machines and equipment for those who prefer to work out in a more personal environment. For those with children, the HAWC has a children's area linked by video where parents can observe their children while they work out via monitors around the exercise area.

The HAWC is available to all active duty, retirees, Reservists, their family members and base DOD civilians. It is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

"The biggest challenge is finding what motivates a person to want to be healthier," Mr. Clark said. "Whether it's for their jobs, families or for their own vanity, it has to be something intrinsic. That's what's going to be their motivation. You have to ask yourself what are you willing to change, and what's your best excuse for not changing it. Until we make health personal, we can't change anything."