RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Teams from Air Force Personnel Center and Air Education and Training Command, a civilian from AETC and an NCO from the 359th Aerospace-Medicine Squadron emerged as winners in the Health and Wellness Center and Rambler Fitness Center's first Wellness Wars.
The 12-week challenge that began Jan. 17 and ended this month encourages healthy lifestyle changes such as physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption that help participants lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.
"It went very well," said Jennifer Sides, HAWC registered dietitian. "We got a lot of positive feedback. People said it impacted their health in good ways. For some, it lowered their blood pressure and enabled them to lose weight."
She said the more than 100 participants who finished the challenge lost a combined 975 pounds. Participants, who signed up as teams of four or as individuals, accumulated points based on daily fitness activities, fruit and vegetable intake and special at-home activities and attended periodic weigh-ins at the HAWC.
Participants also earned points by attending classes at the HAWC and the fitness center.
"We had several lunch-and-learn classes, such as eating healthy on the go," Ms. Sides said.
The team with the most points came from AFPC. Members were Cols. Deborah Aspling, Leslie Formolo and Lori LaVezzi and Senior Master Sgt. Kimberly Meyers. The individual with the most points was AETC A7's Roderick Oxford.
The team with the highest percentage of body weight loss, also from AETC A7, consisted of Lt. Col. Stephen Blake and civilians Steve Smith, Cindy Hood and Susan Bushman. The individual with the highest percentage of body weight loss was Staff Sgt. Anthony Cosentino of the 359th AMDS.
AETC A7 also had the most participants who completed the Wellness Wars.
Ms. Sides said participants remarked that the accountability required during the 12 weeks of the challenge - logging their own activities and their fruit and vegetable intake - and the support provided by the HAWC staff helped them succeed.
She said participants also enjoyed the competitive nature of the challenge.
Ms. Sides said the fitness center provided T-shirts for everyone who completed the Wellness Wars. Prizes that were awarded during the challenge included gift certificates, iPods, water bottles, pedometers and lunch boxes.
She said the Wellness Wars will return in January 2012.
"We will expand it next year," Ms. Sides said. "We plan to add more activities."