The HAWC: being fit for life Published July 10, 2009 By Rhonda Griffin 43rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Pope has a secret weapon. This weapon, housed in one of the most popular buildings on base, is seen by many every day but few realize its true value. Most walk right on by like they don't even notice it. What is this big secret, you ask? The secret is the key to a healthy life. The Health And Wellness Center, commonly called the HAWC, holds the resources that can lead all who enter on the track to being fit for life ... literally. From smoking cessation and stress management to fitness and nutrition, the HAWC is a one-stop shop with answers. Best of all, every program offered is absolutely free to those who use them. All programs offered by the center are available to both active duty and retired personnel and their dependents. The HAWC, located inside the Pope Fitness Center, is designed for the entire community. "The common misconception of the HAWC is that it is only for those who need help with their PT," said Kevin Davalos, the HAWC's fitness program manager. "But we offer so much more." Certified in strength and conditioning and a health fitness specialist, Davalos can assist with injury prevention methods, such as stretching and flexibility; work up a prescribed exercise regimen to fit specific needs and provide body fat and gait analysis. On top of getting someone moving, he ensures that exercises are being done properly and equipment is correctly utilized. Staying active is important in the Air Force, but making the most of your workout is even more important. Exercising in the wrong way not only makes the movements less effective, but can also lead to injury. Davalos offers gait analysis, which consists of evaluating a runner in motion. By simply examining a runner's form, Davalos can assess errors in technique and help with choosing the correct running shoe. He can also assess body fat and show how it changes over time, he said. To go hand-in-hand with exercise needs, registered dietician Kim Schorn offers assistance with building healthier eating habits that can lead to an overall healthier lifestyle. Schorn, one of only 150 board certified specialists in sports dietetics, offers counseling in several areas of nutrition; assists with weight and fat loss or gain and provides educational programs on food portion sizes and healthy food choices. A program designed for parents, Fit Kids, helps care givers with providing children better foods to fight childhood obesity. Schorn also offers cholesterol classes for those who need them. Health educator LaTreva Rush, who stays busy in the community with various fitness opportunities, provides help with tobacco cessation and prevention by offering classroom programs and a quit line through the American Lung Association. She also offers the Fit to be Pregnant program that assists expectant mothers, both active duty and dependents, with education on topics such as breastfeeding. The HAWC partnered with the Fitness Center on the Biggest Loser program, and also with Pope Elementary School on a walking program for the students and teachers. They offer family fitness education classes, a walking club and a video series that assist with various needs to lead to a healthier lifestyle. When the workout is over and it is time to unwind, there is no better way than to hit the relaxation room. A quiet place away from it all, the room is equipped with a relaxation massage chair, soft music and dim lighting. It is, without a doubt, the perfect place to go to leave the world behind. The mission of the HAWC is "to provide the knowledge and skills necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle for a longer, happier life." With the vast array of programs offered, all free of charge, the center holds the key to the secret we all need to find ... how to be fit for life. Regardless of the area of help needed, the HAWC has the answers you're seeking. Contact Davalos at (910) 394-2169; Rush at (910) 394-4291; or Schorn at (910) 394-3438.