DHA helps personnel stay “MissionFit”

  • Published
  • By Lauren Russell
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – A healthy diet, regular exercise and good sleep are all contributors to overall wellness. However, a new routine can be difficult to start and, between work schedules, family time and even commutes, difficult to stick with.

To assist in keeping goals on track, members now have access to a resource they can take with them wherever they go. The Air Force MissionFit app is now available through the Defense Health Agency.

The app offers a 12-week program of exercise routines along with a library of more than 90 exercises and detailed instructions with video, images and text. Users are able to guide themselves through the workouts by week, days and routines, allowing physical training leaders the ability to establish goal-oriented regimens.

“The app offers workouts for every level of fitness and allows users to set their own pace towards their goals,” said William Carpenter, Hanscom Air Force Base health promotions manager.

Members also have access to on-base resources like Fitness Centers and Outdoor Recreation, which offer means to get active and try new activities, while Civilian Health Promotion Services offers classes throughout the year on topics such as personal goal setting for a healthy lifestyle.

“The classes offer tips and tactics for keeping on target, and you can learn how your habits can make or break your success of reaching your goals,” said Carpenter.

At many locations, health promotions offers metabolic assessments through the bod pod, which provides information such as an individual’s body fat and lean mass percentages, making it an excellent tool to use before starting a new program, said Carpenter.

“The assessment is able to determine the exact number of calories your body needs during a day of rest, through a normal day of work and even while exercising,” he said. “It gives an accurate range for weight loss and maintenance.”

No matter what resource personnel choose to utilize, Carpenter says the key is to listen to your body, and jumping straight to the most intense workout may not be the way to go.

“Slowly working your way into more strenuous activity will make it easier to continue the program,” he said. “This is not a process that can be rushed, and consistency is the main factor for success.”