Wellness Center assists servicemembers with fitness goals

By Staff Sgt. Rauel Tirado, Third Army/ARCENT Public AffairsOctober 4, 2011

Wellness Center assists servicemembers with fitness goals
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - Spc. Kassidy King-Taylor (left), wellness center technician assigned to the 230th Sustainment Brigade and native of Memphis, Tenn., conducts a body composition test using a Body Stat machine on Staff Sgt. Shelia Sledge, Third A... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Wellness Center assists servicemembers with fitness goals
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - Staff Sgt. Shelia Sledge, Third Army/ARCENT public affairs and native of Champaign, Ill., reviews her body composition and individual metabolic rate tests results. The comprehensive report highlights the estimated number of cal... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

By Staff Sgt. Rauel Tirado

Third Army/ARCENT Public Affairs

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait -- For a few Soldiers, weight control is a constant struggle and can be challenging for someone who is trying to maintain military height and weight standards.

Third Army, with the help of the 230th Sustainment Brigade, Tenn. National Guard, operates a Wellness Center here that gives servicemembers the opportunity to understand their current physical state, as well as develop a plan to achieve physical fitness goals.

"We check body composition by using the Body Stat machine which measures body fat, lean muscle and hydration levels," said Sgt. Stephen Sheppard, noncommissioned officer in charge and native of Goodlettsville, Tenn. "We also measure individual metabolic rate and calculate results to create a diet plan."

Servicemembers also receive a comprehensive report from an indirect calorimeter, which estimates the number of calories used per day and the amount of calories needed for daily consumption in order to lose or maintain weight.

Troops are instructed to fast for 4 hours (water only), not to exercise six hours prior to coming in, and not to use tobacco products, gum, mints or mouthwash.

"During the visit, servicemembers height and weight is recorded, body fat composition is measured and a 10 minute test on the indirect calorimeter is taken," said Spc. Kassidy King-Taylor, wellness center technician assigned to the 230th Sustainment Brigade and native of Memphis, Tenn.

After testing, Sheppard and King-Taylor provides a coaching session to review results and help setup personal physical fitness goals.

"This is a really great program," said Sheppard. "Everyone who has put forth the effort has achieved their goals or made significant progress."

One of Sheppard's success stories was an individual who lost 38 pounds.

"I've seen people turn their life around after doing this program," said King-Taylor.

Through the Wellness Center program, Third Army/ARCENT continues to promote the importance of physical fitness and healthy living to sustain servicemembers' readiness.

The wellness center is open Monday through Saturday, 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and no appointments are required. For more information contact the Wellness Center at 430-7902 or grp.ARF.wellness_center@kuwait.swa.army.mil.

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