Photo By Cpl. Anthony Ward Jr | Marine Corps Cpl. Michael Cunningham performs triceps dips at G.J. Denich Gym, Nov....... read more read more
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GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba – Physical fitness is an integral part of being in the military. It can determine whether or not you are deployment ready, combat ready and promotion ready.
During the holidays maintaining a high level of fitness can have its challenges.
“The holidays can be a stressful time,” said Tanya Henigman, fitness coordinator for G.J. Denich Gym. “Whether or not you are home or away, exercise is a great release for stress.”
Henigman has more than 20 years of experience in her field and has seen many holidays and how service members on military bases cope.
One way during the holidays to include fitness is just going out for a walk, suggested Henigman. It helps the cardiovascular system and after eating it will help with digestion.
“Exercise always makes you feel good, sleep better and eat better,” Henigman said. “Exercise releases endorphins in your body that calm and relax the body.”
Relaxation is important this time of year. The holidays can be a hectic time with family members visiting, accommodating many guests in your house for a Thanksgiving dinner, traveling or just making travel arrangements.
“The holidays tend to slow down training a little, but I stay dedicated,” said Marine Corps Cpl. Michael Cunningham, of the Joint Intelligence Group.
Maintaining your training schedule during the season will ensure that fitness goals are continued.
“No matter what it is that you’re trying to accomplish, it takes self-discipline,” Cunningham added. “No one ever said it was going to be easy.”
This level of self-discipline not only goes for service members, but for those who support them as well.
According to Henigman, if the importance of physical fitness is shared throughout the family, it can be easier to maintain.
Another part of physical fitness is nutrition, especially at this time of year. All those dishes on the dinner table can be tempting; the turkey with its succulent skin baked to a perfect crisp, or the melt-in-your-mouth candied yams.
One word will help you through this holiday season and save your waistline: moderation.
Henigman suggested using the 80-20 rule. Make 80 percent of what you eat healthy and allow yourself that 20 percent to splurge a little. It’s OK to chow down during Thanksgiving and Christmas just remember one thing.
“Everything you put in your body, you are going to have to put out,” Henigman said.
Don’t let the holidays be an excuse to lead the sedentary life. Get up and get active.
MWR can aid in this, offering many classes for the most advanced fitness enthusiast to someone just getting back in the swing of things.
The Zumba class is one of the biggest growing classes here, according to Henigman. MWR also offers group exercise to commands, where a trainer comes out to your command and holds a training session. It also recently started offering belly dancing classes.
In the near future MWR will be offering full-body assessments, and personalized training programs. For more information on MWR fitness programs, contact G.J. Denich Gym at 77262.
For more information about Joint Task Force Guantanamo, visit the website at www.jtfgtmo.southcom.mil
| Date Taken: | 11.18.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 12.06.2010 09:25 |
| Story ID: | 61445 |
| Location: | GUANTANAMO BAY, CU |
| Web Views: | 76 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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