Getting more than gifts

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Joshua Stevens
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Thanksgiving... that turkey sure was good.

Christmas... eggnog and cookies hit the spot.

New Year's... there was even more food than last time.

Mid-January... look at all those pounds I've gained.

For many servicemembers, the winter season can have unfavorable results once the new year comes around, due to excessive eating and lack of exercise.

"The busyness of the holidays seems to take priority, and people tend to put fitness and exercise on the back burner," said Minda Smither, 28th Medical Operations Squadron Health and Wellness Center chief and wing fitness program manager. "Before they know it, they have stopped exercising."

The Bellamy Fitness Center offers several options for Airmen to stay fit during the winter season.

"The fitness center has a wonderful variety of classes and programs for individuals to participate in, such as aerobic classes," Ms. Smither said.

Some of the aerobic classes offered at the fitness center are spin, circuit training, bomber boxing, cardio with weights, Fit to Fight, PT Push and Awesome Abs, she said. 

The gym also offers personal trainers.

"For one person, a 60-minute session is $20, and a 30-minute session is $12," said Staff Sgt. Kesha Singletary, 28th Services Squadron Bellamy Fitness Center fitness programs NCOIC. "A group session (limit two people) is $30 for a 60-minute session, and $18 for a 30-minute session."

A few unique programs are offered by the gym as well.

Raider Challenge consists of four events, Sergeant Singletary said. Participants complete an off-road run, a biathlon (cycling and running), a triathlon (swimming, cycling and running) and an "Adventure Race" (running, cycling, and paddling).

The Iron Flight program is a quarterly competition between squadrons, she said. "Each quarter offers a different challenge, and the winning squadron will be titled the 'Iron Flight' champion and be awarded the traveling trophy."

In Fitness Survivor, teams of five compete in up to 10 challenges, earning immunity or elimination, she said. "These challenges test a team's strength, endurance and knowledge."

People often take vacations during the winter months, too, but there are ways to exercise - even off-duty.

"In most cases, people do not exercise during this time, and sometimes people do not get back into their [fitness] routines after their leave is over," Ms. Smither said.

Sergeant Singletary reminded that basic exercises such as walking, crunches, push-ups, squats and lunges can still be conducted during a vacation.

Both women offered advice for staying healthy during the winter months.

"Intake of food should be in moderation," Ms. Smither said. "There's no need to deprive yourself, but there's also no need to overeat! Try and exercise at least three times per week, and then get back into your normal exercise routine."

"Have a reliable work-out partner during the holiday season," Sergeant Singletary recommended. "Fitness is a lifestyle."

Physical readiness can easily go awry during the months of winter, but as long as Airmen are cognizant of their intake and personal fitness, hazardous outcomes can be avoided.

For more information about any of the programs offered, call the HAWC at 385-2349 or the Bellamy Fitness Center at 385-2266. The center also has information on their website http://www.ellsworth.af.mil/leavingsite.asp. Once there, click on the "Fitness Center" link.