A day in the life of a HAWC rep

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Andrea F. Liechti
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Hit the ground running. That's what health and wellness center representatives here do every single day.

It's their job to keep Airmen and their families informed about ways to get healthy and fit so they can accomplish the mission at Barksdale.

"One of the most important steps to accomplishing the mission is meeting Air Force fitness expectations," said Arletta Eldridge Thompson, HAWC exercise physiologist, "We need our Airmen to be fit for deployment at all times."

Thompson teaches a physical training leader class to educate Airmen about the fitness expectations the Air Force has for them.

The morning sessions of the class include slide presentations filled with valuable information about the responsibilities of a PTL and physical training requirements for the Airmen they lead. Responsibilities include attending the refresher courses, leading commander approved physical training sessions and conducting unofficial PT practice tests.

"The PTLs may not use all of the information I give them today or tomorrow, but someday, down the road, they will need it," said Thompson.

The HAWC representatives spend their days preparing for and teaching several classes that provide Airmen with helpful health-related information.

Jennifer Coney, HAWC dietician, teaches Airmen about the dangers of high cholesterol and triglycerides, and offers suggestions to help improve their diets and exercise routines. The Healthy Heart class consists of two sessions, each running 90 minutes.

"Our goal is to help Airmen lead healthy and full lives," she said. "Minor adjustments in their diets can go a long way."

Throughout the class Coney offered many suggestions on how to improve cooking habits at home.

"Use chicken or vegetable broth to sauté vegetables instead of butter or oil," she said. "It will still give them the flavor you are looking for without adding extra fat and calories."

Coney strongly recommends exercising in addition to improving cooking and eating habits. For those who want to maintain a healthy lifestyle, she suggests exercising 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Those interested in weight management should increase that time by 15 to 30 minutes a day.

The HAWC representatives also spend their days helping Airmen jump-start their healthy eating plans and develop workout routines.

Leah Beckham, HAWC health and fitness specialist, enjoys helping Airmen get on the right track. She recently started a "Cool Running" program designed to help Airmen and their families improve their running skills. The program is designed to help distance runners and sprinters.

"It's extremely rewarding to sit down with Airmen, develop training programs for them and watch them succeed and reach their goals," she said. "I couldn't have asked for a better career!"

To see a schedule of classes offered by the HAWC or to sign up for any of the classes, call 456-8046.