FORT SILL, Okla. (March 20, 2014) -- Fort Sill will host a health expo and safety fair April 4, as part of the Healthy Base Initiative project. The post is one of more than a dozen DoD installations implementing Operation Live Well -- a yearlong program to increase the health and wellness of the total force, including Soldiers, family members and DA civilians. The following story is part of a series on the HBI, and it focuses on how members have taken advantage of the free fitness courses offered through Fort Sill Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation.
In Georgia, family member LaTonya McLaughlin had an excuse for not exercising. The fitness classes on post cost $3 a session, and to go off post was even more expensive. Living a sedentary lifestyle, LaTonya's weight went from 135 to 207 pounds.
After arriving at Fort Sill with her husband 1st Sgt. Michael McLaughlin, B Battery, 1st Battalion, 14th Field Artillery, and children, LaTonya, age 43, was experiencing bulging disks in her neck, knee pain, high blood pressure and high cholesterol because of her weight.
"I used to have a brace on my knee because it couldn't support my body weight," said LaTonya, who stands 5 feet 5 inches.
Her doctor suggested surgeries, but LaTonya believed there had to be another way to improve her health, so she met with Claudia Mejia, Fort Sill Garrison fitness coordinator, who assured her exercise would improve her health.
"Claudia told me: I can help you get healthy where you don't need temporary fixes (surgery); you can build the muscles around these joints, that will make you fit for life if you continue with it," LaTonya said.
LaTonya began Zumba, nice and slow, in 2011. "I love Zumba because it doesn't feel like you're working out because you're having so much fun."
She recalled how Maj. Gen. Mark McDonald, Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill commanding general, opened Operation Live Well in August.
"He (McDonald) said if you're one of the people who visit the doctor often, then you may want to do a lifestyle change," she said.
At the expo, LaTonya said she learned about healthy eating from the Reynolds Army Community Hospital staff, as well as the Army Wellness Center.
As she began to lose weight, she expanded her wellness lifestyle and visited the Army Wellness Center here. The center's Bod Pod provided her with her body mass index.
"My muscle percentage was really low," she said. "The category was: 'Very unhealthy see your doctor.'"
Continuing with MWR cardio and weight training classes, her own exercise regimen and visiting the wellness center quarterly, LaTonya said she saw her weight going down.
She's now at 165 pounds and has 8 pounds to go to meet her goal.
When Army wife Kayla Magerstaedt, 24, and her husband arrived at Fort Sill last March, she took advantage of the fitness classes. She attended Zumba, Kickzumbuns, Body Sculpt and Biggest Loser Boot Camp. And, even though she got pregnant in April, Magerstaedt continued with the classes.
"I worked out up to my eighth month of pregnancy," said Magerstaedt, who had been active as a cheerleader in high school and later lifted weights. "I took the classes with a pregnant friend, and Claudia modified the moves for us as we went through our pregnancies."
After Aurora was born in December, Kayla began working out again in early March.
"I wanted to get back in the gym as soon as possible, and working out during my pregnancy helped me with my recovery time," Magerstaedt said. "I do have weight goals, but what really matters is feeling healthy and good about myself."
During a recent Body Sculpt session, Aurora quietly stayed in her baby carriage as mom worked out. Three other children were also at the class with their mothers.
"We're allowed to bring our children as long as we stay on the side of the classes," she said.
Magerstaedt said she also takes advantage of the Infant Massage class at the Graham Resiliency Training Campus. And, she attended the summer health and fitness expo.
"It was great. They had a lot of vendors and booths and there was a Zumbathon," she said.
Magerstaedt recommended the fitness classes.
"I'm a stay-at-home mom and I try to encourage other stay-at-home moms to get out of the house and attend the classes," Magerstaedt said. "People are so nice and welcoming regardless of your age, size or fitness level. It's wonderful."
June Williams, 53, a family member of an Army retiree, said she wants to stay healthy to see her five grandchildren grow up, so she attends fitness classes five days a week -- getting a mix of cardio and strength training.
Three years ago, Williams carried 175 pounds on her 5 -foot, 5-inch frame. She was at Rinehart Fitness Center for her husband's unit quarterly walk. Usually they were held at 3-Mile Track, but that day it was indoors. There she saw a Zumba class and the instructor encouraged people to try it.
"It was so fun that I didn't think I was exercising," Williams recalled. "I was breathing hard, but after a couple weeks it started getting easier."
Williams, who when she was younger had been active with basketball and track, said she came to a realization: "This (Zumba) is it! This is my way of getting back in shape."
She supplemented her exercise with a healthy diet.
The wellness center class instructors showed examples of healthy eating -- more fruits and vegetables, as well as portion control, said Williams, who is the mother of two.
"Today, I'm at a weight I want (140 pounds), and I'm going to continue to exercise to stay in shape," she said. She added that she likes the way she looks in her clothes and has more confidence and energy.
To see a complete listing of the FMWR fitness classes, visit sillmwr.com and click the 'Recreation' link, then select 'Fitness Centers.' The fitness class schedule is link is to the left. For information on the Fort Sill Army Wellness Center, visit its FaceBook page.
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