TLC, civilian wellness
initiative wrapping up
By Chuck Paone
66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
Hanscom's Civilian Wellness initiative formally wraps up next
week, along with the Team Lean Challenge, but base leaders and
wellness specialists are encouraging all Hanscom members to keep
working toward healthier lifestyles.
"Thanks to all
those Hanscom members who joined us for the Team Lean Challenge
and Civilian Wellness Campaign," said 66th Air Base Wing
Commander Col. Dave 'Iron' Orr. "I'm sure those who lost a few
unwanted pounds feel better physically and emotionally, and we
have heard from several civilians who got a 'save' by taking the
Cardiac Risk Assessment.
"One of our highlighted best
practices in our Voluntary Protection Program Star status was
our wellness programs," he added. "No other installation offers
so many HAWC, Fitness Center, Chapel, and Airman and Family
Readiness Center program options. Please take full advantage of
our unmatched wellness programs and add years to your life!"
From a long list of positives identified by Hanscom health,
wellness and fitness specialists, several emerged as
particularly noteworthy. The most significant is that the push
seems to have helped bring about a long-term culture change.
"People are definitely receiving encouragement from their
supervisors to take the time to participate in screenings and
other wellness programs," said Deanne Casey, R.N., a Civilian
Health Promotion Services nurse coordinator who works out of
Hanscom's Health and Wellness Center.
Ms. Casey also
noted that the base's many new hires routinely go on line at
www.afmcwellness.com
to take their online health risk appraisals and sign up for the
approved three hours of health and wellness time offered to all
civilian employees.
"It shows that people who have been
on the base for years and those who are just coming aboard are
all seeing the wellness and fitness options Hanscom offers as a
standard benefit of employment here," Ms. Casey said.
At
the base Fitness Center, officials have also seen some very
positive changes.
"During the past several months, we
have seen a trend where patrons are increasing their frequency
of workouts per week," said Fitness Center Director Jerry
Turnbow. "Whereas a person may have come in once or twice a week
to work out before the civilian wellness and TLC efforts
started, now we've seen patrons coming in three or four times a
week, or more."
As for the Team Lean Challenge, in which
teams of employees competed to see which could lose the most
weight, it's also important to keep momentum going, officials
said.
"TLC was very productive in getting base personnel
talking about fitness and giving them the tools to achieve their
fitness goals," Mr. Turnbow said. "TLC and the civilian wellness
initiative don't really end here; they continue onward."
Those who participated in the TLC should come into either
the Fitness Center or HAWC between June 1 and June 5 for a final
weigh in. The HAWC and the Fitness Center will be available for
weigh-ins Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
and from 7:30 a.m. till noon on Friday.
Everyone who
comes in for the final weight check will receive a prize. Team
results will be announced at Hanscom's Summer Bash June 26.
Thomas Ward, Fitness Program director, suggests using the
end of these programs as a way for people to re-evaluate their
efforts.
"If things didn't work, now may be the time to
meet with a trainer or other qualified professional," he said.
On the other hand, if people did meet their goals, now is the
time to look beyond them. He suggests they train for their first
5K race, join an intramural sports team or take on another
activity they might not have been willing to consider before.
Both the TLC and the Civilian Wellness initiative really
helped focus Hanscom employees on health and fitness, the base
specialists said.
"Our patrons are now seeking more
information concerning tailoring their workouts to get the most
benefit possible," Mr. Turnbow said. "If you are going to spend
time working out, it only makes sense that you use this time
productively."
Ms. Casey agreed that these efforts have
produced a real sea change on base.
"With so much
attention on all of this, people really seemed to get the
message," she said. "All of our critical numbers - in terms of
people taking their HRAs and signing up for the cardiac risk
profiles, and just coming in for classes and information - have
gone up. There seems to be a real understanding now of the value
of doing the right things, health-wise, and of taking advantage
of the support that's available."