HAWC offers weight loss program for Team Dover

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Shen-Chia Chu
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  The 436th Aerospace Medicine Squadron Health and Wellness Center is sponsoring the John and Kate Minus Weight Program to help Team Dover members make a lifestyle change.

The program is designed to tailor to each individual's daily lifestyle, body mass index, daily schedule and more.

"You can't diet by exercise or nutrition alone because it just doesn't work. You have to do both in order to be successful," said John Walters, 436th AMDS HAWC fitness program manager, who has been a lifelong fitness and health enthusiast. "That is why this program is so great, we're going to motivate and monitor individuals and keep accountability to help them achieve their goal."

As a retired Air Force member, Mr. Walters says that he knows the stressors of the military lifestyle and he wants to prepare Airmen for the new physical fitness test.

"My philosophy is 'fast, strong, lean,' so I will introduce an exercise program that will help shape bodies to become lean, not bulky muscle, and help people increase their push ups and sit ups in 30 days," said Mr. Walters.
Mr. Walters says he wants to break the myth people have heard and experienced.

"When a person loses 20 pounds, but does not lose inches around their waist they're losing muscle," he said. "It's not just about losing weight, the fat around the waist is important because it is a predictor of mortality. We help not only to monitor weight loss, but body fat percentage and index as well."

Mr. Walter's portion of the program will fit the person's individual needs for a lean, tight, fast, endurance based body and muscle tone. Ms. Jennings' portion of the program will help introduce the best fuel for our bodies; fiber, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, from the nutritional standpoint. The program is also available to help dependents and families make improvements in exercise and nutrition.

"You can't pick your genes, but you can pick what you have for dinner. You have overcome genetics to a degree by your habits," said Kate Jennings, 436th AMDS HAWC registered dietitian and nutrition program manager. "We help to create a plan by assessing the individual's nutritional intake through a short survey to help make suggestions for improvement."

Ms. Jennings' has had 10 years of experience in meal planning, weight loss and proper nutrition. She reviews dietary habits and the snapshot of an individual's nutritional intake will be tailored to the specific lifestyle with emphasis on low calorie, proper fat intake, whether Team Dover members may want to promote healthy weight gain or weight loss.

"I'm passionate about helping people achieve their health goals and I care about Team Dover members who want to pass their fitness test and be in the best shape possible," said Ms. Jennings. "My goal is to help everyone live with a healthier lifestyle change. It's never too late to make that kind of change."

To sign up for the John and Kate Minus Weight Program, call the HAWC at 677-3733.