An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Eat right to be fit to fight

  • Published
  • By Airman Gwendalyn Smith
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- --  Making a New Year's resolution to lose weight? Whether it's getting rid of a stubborn few pounds or just fixing eating habits, understanding that what you eat is the biggest factor in reaching overall fitness goals.

"You can work out, and that's great, but you have to focus on what you're putting into your body," said Heather Braundmeier, 375th Medical Group Health Promotion coordinator. "You can work out your abdominal muscle groups, but until you shed that fat on top of it, you're not going to bring down your abdominal circumference. What you eat determines your body's health and size."

Not only should people watch what they intake, but also how much.

Christine Cooley, 375th MDG Health Promotions dietitian, explained, that "large portions are an issue we often see. When people go out to eat, they are served large portions, so when they get home they try and match those larger portions, which is way more than they need."

Food provides nutrients and energy, including proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, fats, and minerals needed to live a healthy lifestyle. For some, they use supplements to boost metabolism or speed up their fitness achievements. However, that may not always be a healthy choice.

"Supplements are a popular thing now," said Braundmeier. "Not all supplements are FDA approved; most aren't. Companies do not have to list ingredients that are not FDA approved. That means people who use those supplements aren't fully aware of what they are putting in their bodies. We recommend that people get their nutrients from their diet."

The 375th MDG health promotion office offers a variety of ways to help individuals get on track to a healthy lifestyle, including classes, food demos, individual meetings, the Bod Pod (body fat measurements), and running and strength clinics. Also, to kick off the New Year, they will be hosting a Biggest Loser contest.

"We are holding a Biggest Loser contest beginning in January," said Cooley. "We are basing the competition off of body fat percentage lost rather than pounds; that way it's fair for people of all sizes."

Ultimately, eating proportional healthy meals and watching what you eat on a daily basis will help with overall health.

"Make one healthy change at a time and work your way from there," said Cooley. "There is not one perfect diet plan. We are all individuals and have to find what works for us."