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Health Promotion Flight: Holiday fitness doesn’t have to be strenuous

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kiana Brothers
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  The average weight gain during the holiday season is about two pounds, but a few organizations at Scott have implemented programs to help individuals stay in shape. The 375th Force Support Squadron offered the 12 Days of Holiday Fitness Program and the Health Promotion Flight has started the Maintain Campaign.

The 12 Days of Holiday Fitness Program encouraged participants to workout each day between Dec. 1 and Dec. 17, excluding weekends. Each day involved a different workout including cardio, weight training, a 5k run, and aerobic classes.

Individuals wanting to participate were encouraged to pick up a calendar with the locations listed for the day's raffle drawing, but times were randomly chosen by the staff. Members of the Fitness Center or James Sport Center gave away prizes to those who completed an hour workout.

Various gifts were given away including gift cards from Olive Garden, Texas Roadhouse, Scott Credit Union, and more, but prizes do not outweigh the importance of staying fit. Members of Team Scott are encouraged to workout at other times and places.

"Holiday fitness can be used as a stress reliever by just being active; it doesn't have to be a strenuous activity," said Heather Braundmeier, Health Promotion Flight commander. "You can go to the bowling alley with the family, play ping-pong, ice skate at Forest Park, or build a snowman."

In addition to 12 Days of Holiday Fitness, the Health Promotion team's Maintain Campaign is challenging individuals to watch their weight gain over the holiday season.

Participants initially weighed in at the Fitness Center before Nov. 25, and their weights were recorded. Final weigh in will be after New Year, and prizes will be rewarded to those who haven't gained weight.

Braundmeier said, in her experience, when someone is holding their self accountable for their weight and they know that they are going to come to weigh in, they tend to have successful results.

"The Maintain Campaign is a jump start to the New Year; it kind of gets you in that mindset that you don't have to wait," said Kathy Steinbrecher, 375th Health Promotion Registered Dietitian. "Let's start working on our New Year's resolutions during the holidays."