Fort Huachuca, Arizona - Various sources on the Internet report that halfway through January, about 60 percent of those who've made New Year's resolutions this year had already broken them.
However, it's still not too late to get back on track or to make new resolutions to get healthy through various programs offered by Fort Huachuca organizations. Authorized patrons can find programs that cover nutrition basics, physical fitness, balanced lifestyles and financial health.
Fitness begins from within
Move Towards Health is a new 2016 Raymond W. Bliss Army Health Center program. This comprehensive, individualized wellness program is designed to inspire participants to get healthy. The intensive 26-week program offers support through interactive nutrition, exercise classes, a private Facebook group, and evaluation and support from a personal medical health coach.
Three iterations of the program are planned, and the first is already underway. Additional classes, limited to 20 people, begin on March 14 and May 16. Participants must have at least a year left at Fort Huachuca, a limiting weight condition, motivation to get healthy, desire to commit to the program and availability to meet at lunch time on Wednesdays.
The target audience is Soldiers, Family members and retirees. They must fill out an application and be accepted. Participants will undergo a thorough evaluation to assess cardiac risk, body fat and fitness levels prior to beginning the program. The health team will evaluate progress at 13 and 26 weeks.
Successful participants will experience improved cardiovascular fitness, reduced risk of injury for all activities, a reduction in body fat and weight, and a lower risk for heart attack and stroke.
For more information, call 520.533.5668.
Get fit physically
Authorized patrons can help meet their new year's fitness goals at one of Fort Huachuca's three gyms, Barnes Field House and the Eifler and Family Fitness Centers. Budget and personnel cuts prompted changes causing the elimination of some weekend programs.
During 2016, the Sports and Aquatics Division, Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (FMWR) Directorate has shifted the focus of many of its special event organized sports programs back on the Soldier. To make it easier for military to participate, running events were shortened to 5 and 10k races held during Soldier physical training times.
Races are held as a series of team-based events, and winners were determined by the team's total number of points, according to Les Woods, Sports and Aquatics director. The most recent run, a 5k event, was held on Jan. 22 attracting 150 Soldier participants with trophies awarded to the top three teams.
"Soldier fitness is very important as are competitive events," Woods said. "However, we've tried to plan some activities of a less skilled nature for the non-runner."
To this end, FMWR recently held an inner tube water polo competition.
"The participants seemed to have a lot of fun," Woods said, adding that the 2016 fitness lineup will focus on Commander's Cup intramural activities to include running and swimming events.
"Units and civilian teams can sign up," Woods said, adding that each major sport Commander's Cup event takes place over a period of about six weeks. Minor sports such as golf will be held in the afternoons. Major sports competitions will take place in the evenings.
"Soccer season kicks off Feb. 8," he said. "Golf begins April 4, softball starts on April 18 and volleyball opens on June 27."
Woods added that Army garrisons are preparing for the 5th Annual Strong B.A.N.D.S. (Balance, Activity, Nutrition, Determination and Strength) campaign May 1-31, in recognition of "National Physical Fitness and Sports Month."
Programs and activities that support resiliency and encourage individual fitness will be held at Army locations world-wide, including Fort Huachuca, and FMWR is currently planning activities. Participation in a designated Strong B.A.N.D.S. activity helps demonstrate commitment to a healthy lifestyle.
"Once activities are finalized, they'll be announced," Woods said.
Strive for life fitness, balance
Fort Huachuca Army Substance Abuse Program personnel offer three programs that focus on identifying factors that can lead to high risk behaviors and provide prevention strategies: Prime For Life, the Master Resiliency Program, and Living in Balance.
Prime for Life (PFL) is an evidence-based motivational prevention, intervention and pre-treatment program specifically designed for people who may be making high-risk choices, such as impaired driving offenses. PFL is designed to change drinking and drug-use behaviors by changing beliefs, attitudes, risk perceptions, motivations, and the knowledge of lifelong reduction of alcohol and drug-related problems.
Because PFL includes both prevention and intervention content, it is also designed in a way that serves universal, selective and indicated audiences with program delivery options for each. Soldiers are referred to the PFL by their commanders and clinical providers.
"Maybe a commander knows of a Soldier who drinks too much or has performance problems because of other issues. The commander will refer the Soldier for the program which is offered monthly, usually during the second week of each month, for two, eight-hour days," said Rosa Peralta, ASAP prevention coordinator.
While the program can handle between 10 to 20 clients, the average is about a dozen. PFL is not just for Soldiers; anyone can attend on a space-available basis. Robert "Nick" Gilmore, the ASAP Employee Assistance Program coordinator (EAPC), is the primary course instructor, Peralta added.
The Army's Master Resiliency Training (MRT), is managed by the units and is part of Comprehensive Soldier Fitness. It is designed to enhance a Soldier's overall well-being and focuses on the five dimensions of strength: emotional, social, spiritual, Family and physical. The core competencies are self-awareness, self-regulation, optimism, mental agility and strength of character.
MRT helps participants build strong relationships, use positive and effective communication, and increase willingness to ask for help and support others. MRT is designed to reduce the likelihood that individuals would receive a diagnosis for a substance abuse problems and be less likely to engage in other high-risk behaviors.
While each unit is responsible to schedule and conduct the training using Soldiers who have been trained in the process, ASAP has trained civilian staff who will conduct limited training sessions upon request.
"It's excellent training," Peralta said. "It teaches 14 skills to change behavior and relationships. When I took the [MRT] training in Korea, I learned to deal with conflict in other ways rather than in a negative manner. I learned to put things in perspective and deal with conflict more optimistically.
"Going through the program improved my relationship with my husband and Family. It builds strength because we become more aware of who we are," she said. "Taking Master Resiliency courses is good for Soldiers. Those interested should talk to their unit prevention leaders."
Soldiers, Civilians and Family members may have concerns related to their drinking or drug use, and they are encouraged to refer themselves for services through the ASAP Clinical Program. Services are provided in individual and group settings and allow clients to understand the functionality of their substance use and to develop healthy coping strategies for the issues underlying their risky behaviors and substance use. Many clients complete the Living in Balance program following their referral for services.
Living in Balance is a psycho-educational program for individuals who abuse or are addicted to alcohol and other drugs. It uses 12 sessions to build the foundation for participants' treatment and recovery. These sessions provide evidence-based information about addiction and recovery and emphasizes the individual and group processes. Interaction takes place through discussions, relaxation and visualization techniques, according to Kevin Mills, Army Substance Abuse Program manager.
Participants learn to identify situations that trigger cravings leading to substance use and pinpoint decisions that lead to the risky behaviors. The program helps clients create and implement a long-term plan for recovery, and focuses the client's development of effective relapse prevention strategies. During the program, attendees learn about drugs, alcohol and tobacco use; triggers; sobriety; spirituality; stress and coping skills; negative behavior and emotions; anger and communication; and relapse prevention.
Jeffrey Pixler, ASAP clinic director, encourages anyone suspecting they have a substance-use issue to come to ASAP, discuss their concerns and take advantage of the self-referral ASAP clinical services. Failure to do so early in the abuse process can lead to costly, painful consequences that will impact their career and significant relationships.
"It is just a matter of time before substance use issues impact a person's professional and personal life" Pixler said.
Financial fitness reduces stress
Those with the goal of better financial management during 2016 can help meet their goals with assistance from Army Community Service (ACS).
Jessi Richter, Financial Readiness Program manager, offers one-on-one counseling so clients can conveniently schedule a session to discuss their unique financial needs.
Additionally, Richter offers several classes to help people get finances on track.
Money Management 101 will be held from 9-11:30 a.m. Feb. 10 in the ACS conference room. Attendees will receive an overarching view of finances and the class will help orient them on the right path for financial planning, according to Richter. With the exception of February, this class is held on the first Wednesday of each month at the same time and location.
A Consumer Awareness Protection Class is held from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on the third Wednesday of each month in the ACS conference room. Learn about money-saving tips, the latest scams, and how to protect yourself from identity theft.
Other classes to be offered during 2016 will cover car buying, investment basics, financing college, saving for the Christmas holidays, and other topics. Check the ACS Facebook page regularly for class information.
Military units can request classes on specific topics, and Richter will offer them on location. Otherwise, all classes are held at ACS, Building 50010, Smith Avenue. The ACS parking lot is currently undergoing repairs. Temporary parking is available across the street in the Southwest Credit Union parking lot.
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