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| News > It's back! HAWC challenges Barksdale to beat the bird |
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Leah Beckham, Health and Wellness Center health fitness specialist, shows Amanda Bowman, HAWC health promotion dietician, applications on My Fitness Pal on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Oct. 12. The HAWC will be using My Fitness Pal to help track progress during their 2nd annual Beat the Bird challenge. Beat the Bird is a holiday challenge for Team Barksdale members to maintain a healthy weight and body composition over the holidays through exercise and healthy eating. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Kristin High)(RELEASED)
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It's back! HAWC challenges Barksdale to beat the bird
Posted 10/12/2012 Updated 10/12/2012
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by Senior Airman Kristin High
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
10/12/2012 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- As the holidays approach, many dream of sugar plums, Thanksgiving feasts and Christmas treats. Although the delicious meals are well received, packing on the holiday pounds comes with the territory.
In anticipation of the holiday season, the Health and Wellness Center has issued a challenge to the Barksdale community.
Beat the Bird, a competition promoting weight loss and a healthier lifestyle, will take place Nov. 1 to Dec. 31.
"Our goal is for Team Barksdale to not gain unhealthy weight over the holidays such as body fat," said Leah Beckham, HAWC health and fitness specialist. "The goal of Beat the Bird is not to lose the most weight, but rather develop a healthier lifestyle through eating and exercising."
Muscle mass does not count against participants. During the competition, contestants will be measured by overall body composition to determine the ratio of lean muscle mass to body fat, she added.
Unlike last year, the HAWC is allowing all of Team Barksdale to participate including civilians, guard members, Reservists, families and sister services. Teams will be broken down to groups of four members and will weigh in and determine body composition to get a total starting weight.
"During the course of the competition, we will be offering different classes that will be worth bonus points toward the teams," said Amanda Bowman, HAWC health promotion dietician. "These classes will cover everything from fitness, diabetes, healthy heart and food nutrition."
The competition will be easily accessible to users through a smart phone application called My Fitness Pal.
"Users will be able to log in from their phone or computer so it will be easier to keep track of their progress throughout the competition," said Beckham.
The key to the competition is for participants to live a healthier lifestyle by eating in moderation and continuing to eat fruits and vegetables, she added.
"We want people to stay away from starvation diets, fad diets and harmful supplements," said Bowman. "Those are not ideal ways to lose weight and if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."
Winners of the competition will receive gift certificates and various prizes from community sponsors.
Registration for Beat the Bird is Oct. 22 to 31. Initial weigh-ins for the competition will be held from Nov. 1 to 9. For more information, contact the HAWC at 456-6399.
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