Yokota Air Base, Japan -- As we become consumed with the routines of our daily lives, there may be times when we lose our ability to live a healthy lifestyle. This is where members of the 374th Aerospace Medicine Squadron come into play as they offer a healthy living course the first Friday of every month at the Professional Development Center from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The healthy living course is a wellness workshop where the instructors go in depth on the important factors related to healthy living. Some of those factors are nutrition, exercising, exercise planning and meal prepping, which is also accompanied by a commissary tour.
“The main idea of this course is to help educate those who are not living a healthy lifestyle,” said Brandon Waller, 374 AMDS health promotion coordinator. “There is always something new in the fitness industry and so many things out there, that nobody knows what or who to truly believe. So, I think the education portion we offer can really make it personal to each individual and help make it achievable for everyone.”
In the nutrition portion of the course, the instructors focus on correcting healthy eating myths such as not eating carbs and brown rice is better than white rice; reading nutrition facts, measuring standards of health and intermittent fasting.
Waller points out those morning briefings when someone will bring donuts to share. Others might ask, ‘why didn’t they bring bagels instead?’
“If you break it down, a glazed donut is about 250 calories where a regular bagel is about 350 calories and that isn’t including putting cream cheese on it,” Waller explained. “So, when you talk about which one is healthier, it depends on what your concern is. The donut is fried and higher in sugar, so it’s not as nutrient dense as a bagel.”
On the exercise portion, the instructors are more specific on helping the participants reach their fitness goals. The members will also learn about the difference between aerobic and anaerobic exercises.
“A lot of people generally misunderstand the benefits and significances of the different styles of exercising,” Waller said. “We educate on the differences of exercising depending on what people’s goals are, and the importance of exercising and strength training as it relates to the longevity of life.”
After discussing nutrition and exercising information and plans, the class will go over to the commissary to look at items the participants purchase frequently, and look at food labels to compare and contrast different foods there.
“We don’t want healthy living to be a chore or difficult; we focus on teaching people to enjoy life, be healthy and how to make foods that are considered unhealthy work for their life,” Waller said.
The AMDS hosts the healthy living course every first Friday of every month and a variety of courses throughout the year. For more information on what courses are offered and how to attend contact Mr. Waller or MSgt. Meyenburg at 225-8322.