Courtesy Photo | Retired Army Col. James Signaigo poses for a photo to show how the Army Public Health...... read more read more
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By Stephanie Soileau
Army Public Health Nursing Health Promotion
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas – Retired Army Col. James Signaigo first learned of Army Public Health Nursing Health Promotion Department by seeing a small 5x7 advertising card in his doctor’s office at Camp Bullis.
The advertisement was for a series of classes called “Healthy Life Balance” taught by nurse educators at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston.
“I was ready for a change,” Signaigo said, being significantly overweight and tired of his lifestyle. So he decided to make a call that would not only be a catalyst for weight loss, but truly focus him back to living life again.
Health Promotion registered nurses evaluated Signaigo in February 2016 for weight loss and insomnia.
Using the “Move To Health Model,” it was determined, that Signaigo’s top three areas of focus would be nutrition, activity and sleep. The Initial Health Risk Assessment would prompt a referral to several specialties including a clinical health psychologist, registered dieticians, sleep intervention and the Army Wellness Center.
The patient then entered the Healthy Life Balance Group, which included 13 weekly sessions of classroom didactics on nutrition and an activity component. For example, week one the class may have meal planning and preparation along with a walking or yoga activity.
Over the next four months, Signaigo was equipped with several tools that would be instrumental in his success including phone apps, social media, activity trackers, a medical health specialist and group support classes located on JBSA-Fort Sam Houston in Army Public Health Nursing.
Fooducate became one of Signaigo’s favorite apps. This app allowed him to scan the bar codes on products and get a rating on whether that was a healthy choice or not.
Apps allow participants to track activity, steps and calories thus providing positive reinforcement and biofeedback. The retired colonel would use these tracking devises along with behavioral modification in the Healthy Life Balance Support Group.
The group is a weekly source of strength renewal, positive reinforcement, coaching, and listening to other participants going through their own health journey. A team of registered nurses, clinical health psychologists, registered dieticians and a family nurse practitioner, supports the classes.
Mr. Signaigo was referred to Licensed Clinical Social Worker Jana Ballou at BAMC for a program called IREST, which is essentially sleepy yoga. Participants arrive with pillow and blanket to this class that teaches mindfulness, relaxation and sleep hygiene along with yoga. Sleep is very important in weight loss and body recovery to renew the body for exercise and daily activity requirements along with improving the ability to deal with stress and focus on work and family life.
The Health Promotion Team consisting of Beverly Benson, Antoine Williams, Julie Cordrey, Corey Fehr, Dr. Christine Setty and Army 1st Lt. Samantha Gerbine work together to engage patients in weekly exercise, education and coaching through motivational emails and phone calls to reinforce the participants.
Signaigo has lost 40 pounds since February and ran a 10K race, placing fourth in his category. He has also decided that he now wants to learn golf.
Signaigo said he has found a new spirit in himself of energy, confidence, wanting to get outside and live life again and enjoy the outdoors. He believes in the Health Promotion team so much he wants to “pay it forward” by volunteering back to the program helping others reach their goals.
| Date Taken: | 07.29.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 07.29.2016 15:14 |
| Story ID: | 205504 |
| Location: | FORT SAM HOUSTON, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 112 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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