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Health Promotion may boost New Year’s fitness resolutions

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Erica Holbert-Siebert
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  The 375th Medical Group Health Promotion may have recently moved locations, but they are ready to kick off the New Year and educate people on how to get back to healthier fitness practices.

Now located on the first floor of the Scott AFB Clinic, Health Promotion is planning several classes starting this month to inspire Team Scott to achieve their fitness goals, including a Pain-Free Running class, Running Clinic and a Be Well Strength Training Clinic.

The Biggest Loser competition is also starting this month, where small teams compete to lose the most weight collectively, whether through exercise, diet or both.

Whatever the fitness goal an individual has, Health Promotion most likely has a class or clinic to help improve both strength and cardiovascular health.

Al Bromley, 375th Medical Group Health Promotion exercise physiologist, said most injuries happen or reoccur when people jump into a workout too hard or too fast after not being active.

"The classes we provide are meant to help people move past an injury and learn from it. Sometimes with an injury, people are told to take some pain medications and to rest," said Bromley. "A lot of people get off track with that and as a result, gain weight, get depressed and start to struggle with any kind of exercise, which is discouraging for many."

Bromley advises not to over-reach goals, because making small realistic goals will help people actually reach their goals such as being able to run a 5k instead of a half marathon right away.

"Stopping one bad behavior can add up to big improvements. You can wish all you want to get a 90 percent or higher on your fitness test, but how is that going to happen? You need to set realistic goals that you can achieve and then keep improving on that," said Bromley.

In addition, Bromley runs the Pain-Free Running class, which is a two-part class focused on preventing running injuries, performance nutrition, proper running form and an individual running gait analysis. The Be Well Strength Training Clinic meets on Mondays and Wednesdays and is focused on improving pushups and sit ups, and serves to get people comfortable with basic weight lifting.

Lastly, as the most popular class, the Running Clinic is a six-week course designed to improve running time with a training plan that is three days a week and customized to the individual's running ability. Each day is focused on either endurance, pace or speed improvement.

Staff Sgt. Cornelius Harris, 436th Supply Chain Operations Squadron, has been a Running Clinic group leader since April. Before he signed up for the Running Clinic, he said he never expected he would lead a running group, let alone enjoying running. He used to hate runs, and his PT test suffered because of it. But, after one month, he made such improvements that he wanted to lead a group.

"The first time I ran the 6.4 mile flight line loop run, I felt such a huge sense of accomplishment, and was amazed I could actually do it," said Harris. "I saw how the Running Clinic helped me improve, as far as my fitness and overall health. I want to help others get to where I am now."

Harris said one of the things he never used to do before Running Clinic was warm up prior to a workout, but now sees it as a way to enhance the workout and prevent soreness and injury.

"The clinic taught me the importance of warming up before a run or workout," said Harris. "Dynamic stretches, not static stretching, prior to the workout improve your overall performance."

Bromley also suggests using the "Couch to 5k" mobile app to progressively build up running endurance and strength, but whatever the training plan, gradual increases in intensity is key.

"You have to harden your body to running, because of the high impact," said Bromley. "If you don't, injuries can come, and you won't be able to run at all. The goal is to avoid chronic pain, avoid defeat, and build on small successes."

For more information on the upcoming clinics, classes, and the Biggest Loser competition, please call Health Promotion at 618-256-7139 or check out their Facebook page, "Scott AFB Health Promotion."