Training and Education Command

MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- The Naval Hospital Beaufort's Health Promotion Department offers a 30-Day Lifestyle Management Program for Navy and Marine Corps active duty service members in need of additional help with weight loss problems.

The program consists of two parts, assessment and treatment, and runs its course over 30 consecutive days including weekends. The fitness activities are held at the NHB fitness center and the Depot combat pool, while healthy eating counseling sessions are conducted in the Health Promotion department and the Depot commissary.

"Our 30-day Lifestyle Management program is directed to-wards a slow and steady weight loss," said Ivette Dixon, health education specialist and NHB health promotion coordinator. "Assessment of the active duty member's body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, motivation, attitude and general health history are needed before admission to the program."

The program is geared for Navy and Marine Corps personnel who have failed the physical fitness or physical readiness tests by not meeting height/weight and body fat percentage standards.  The service member must also have been in the remedial program for more than six months and still be struggling with the weight and lifestyle changes.

"The program has been in place since 1999, with more than 110 Navy and Marine Corps service members attending," said Dixon. 

The lone attendant in the current phase of the program is Petty Officer 1st Class Kimberly Y. Brown, flag mess manager Naval Reserve Forces Command, New Orleans. She requested to participate in the program and has received continued encouragement from her command.

"I actually requested this program," said Brown. "No one really knew about it except for my department Chief of Staff, and he said, 'Your whole lifestyle needs to be changed, and we are going to do that for you.'"

Brown has been in the program a week and has already shown personal progress.

"I have been here [a week] and have lost six pounds already," she said. "I started on Feb. 2 weighing in at 239 pounds, and I weigh 234 pounds now. I think most of it is fluid, but it works."

The positive changes in lifestyle coincide with the changes made throughout the program.

"The program was revised in 2000," said Dixon. "Comprehensive educational components were added and goals were established. The more comprehensive program was implemented to promote healthy behaviors among military personnel."

The program promotes a healthier lifestyle by replacing negative activities with attainable positive ones in three regions.

"Treatment includes maintenance counseling in the following areas: dietary/healthy eating, behavior change and physical activity," said Dixon.

Through her time with the program, Brown anticipates changes in her life and has already found new motivation to change.

"I hope to maintain a healthier lifestyle," said Brown. "I also hope to be able to lose weight effectively and keep it off, and just enjoy myself. I guess you have to find [activities] you like to do."

There are many daily reminders for Brown to keep pushing her motivation towards a healthier lifestyle.

"In my family, people have died from heart disease, and many have high blood pressure.  I am trying to avoid all of that," said Brown. "I had to change my lifestyle for the better, and that kind of pushed the effort."

"We tend to take care of everything at home and at work and forget to take care of ourselves. I just hope to lose some weight for me, not so much for the military, but for me," she added.

The program is a proven success with an average weight loss of 16 pounds for males and 12 pounds for females. Follow-ups are conducted one, three and six months after completion of the program.

For more information on how to register, call the NHB Health Promotion Department at 228-5344 or send an e-mail to idixon@beaufort.med.navy.mil.