Fort provides new options for weight loss in the New Year

By Maranda FlynnJanuary 10, 2014

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1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Members of the Fort Huachuca community participate in the Thanksgiving Turkey Trot, one of the 5K Walk/Run Series events, on post, Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 28. These Family-friendly events will tentatively take place each month through September. R... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Water fitness classes are offered at the Barnes Field House indoor pool. Aquatic Fitness and AquaZumba are instructed at various times throughout the week to accommodate busy schedules. These classes are appropriate for all fitness levels and provide... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

For many, the holiday season -- packed with festive parties, stockings filled to the brim with candies and elaborate meals with all the trimmings -- is to blame when the scale jumps a few pounds. But fear not, Fort Huachuca offers a variety of options to work off the unwanted weight.

Begin the New Year by making changes to old habits. Remember that in order to lose weight, you have to start somewhere, and it is important to start slowly.

Kelly Lundy, the new fitness specialist at Barnes Field House, recommends beginning with goal setting. "Instead of just saying 'I want to lose weight,' have a time set in mind and have a specific way that you plan to achieve that goal," she said. "Make sure that it is realistic … is it going to work for you? Instead of saying 'I'm going to go [to the gym] five days a week' when you haven't been working out at all, start small."

There are two fitness facilities on post: Barnes Field House, located at the intersection of Hatfield and Arizona Streets; and Eifler Fitness Center, located in Prosser Village. Each facility provides activities, services and equipment to suit most everyone's needs. These include: basketball, volleyball and racquetball courts; indoor and outdoor weight rooms; cardiovascular rooms equipped with stationary bikes, treadmills, rowing machines and stair steppers; an indoor, heated pool; an outdoor 400-meter track; and more.

According to Les Woods, Fort Huachuca sports director, new cardiovascular equipment was added at Barnes Field House and Eifler Fitness Center. Each facility received two step-climbers and two adaptive motion trainers.

For those who are new to exercising, a good place to start is a group class. A variety of group fitness classes are offered at multiple times of the day at Barnes Field House, including aerobics, spinning, yoga, zumba, aquatic fitness and aquatic zumba. The classes are taught by certified instructors and are typically 45 minutes to 1.5 hours long.

For those who want to include their Family in their weight loss journey, the Family Fitness Center is just the place. The facility has several play areas, toys and televisions to keep younger children entertained but in parental view, while parents work out.

The Family Fitness Center offers limited group fitness classes as well.

Engaging the entire Family in physical activity builds a foundation for a healthy and active lifestyle and, as a bonus, encourages bonding time as well.

Woods explained that in an effort to engage the total Army Family, not just the Soldier or their spouse, but also their children and even their pets, Fort Huachuca created the Family Fitness 5K Walk/Run Series.

"We just want folks to come out and participate in a 5K walk or run that is not competitive. Everyone gets a ribbon at the finish line," he said.

There are 12 Family Fitness 5K Walk/Run events scheduled in 2014, approximately one each month. The next event is the Icebreaker 5K, Jan. 18, at 8 a.m. Sign up at the starting line on the morning of the event. The public is invited to participate. For more information, contact Woods, 533.3246.

If you aren't ready to hit the weights solo, inquire about one-on-one, fee-for-service personal training at Barnes Field House. Certified trainers are available to assist gym-goers in achieving and maximizing health and fitness needs. To schedule an individual or small group session, call 533.2541.

While exercise plays a large part of weight loss and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, a balanced diet is just as beneficial. Those with access to Raymond W. Bliss Army Health Center, or RWBAHC, are invited to visit the nutrition clinic to obtain education on what to eat to promote a healthy lifestyle or to achieve your weight loss goals.

Sonia Blodgett, a nutritionist at RWBAHC, explained that a low fat, low cholesterol and high fiber diet could reduce the risk of health issues such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

"Good nutrition plays a role in improving overall health," she said. "Individuals who are overweight or obese tend to develop blood sugar or blood pressure problems at a younger age. Proper nutrition promotes a healthy body weight."

For more information or to schedule an appointment with the nutritionist, call 533.9033 or 533.2066.