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Official U.S. Navy file photo of a Sailor getting in ShipShape during a Physical Readiness Test. |
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Navy Fitness Program Gets Sailors ShipShape
Story Number: NNS030714-13
Release Date: 7/14/2003 2:24:00 PM
By Journalist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Sybil McCarrol, National Naval Medical Center Public Affairs
BETHESDA, Md. (NNS) -- The word “diet” stems from the Greek term “diaita,” which actually means a way of life. However, many people mainly associate dieting with what they put on their plates.
Lauren Thomas, a registered dietitian and exercise physiologist who is also the coordinator of the National Naval Medical Center’s (NNMC) ShipShape Weight Management Program, wants to change this way of thinking.
“This is a commitment, not a quick fix,” said Thomas.“Sailors who sign up for the ShipShape program have to be dedicated to making a change in their eating and exercise habits.”
Part of the commitment of ShipShape is attending all sessions of the eight-week class, held at NNMC’s Wellness Center in Building 12. Each session focuses on the necessary steps participants must take to learn how to manage their weight.
Topics include setting realistic short and long term weight and exercise goals. The program also helps Sailors devise personal strategies for healthful eating habits and effective stress management.
“I try to make the classes as interactive as possible,” said Thomas. “The individual must do a lot on (his or her) own. They self-monitor their progress. They maintain exercise logs, and keep food and behavior change diaries.”
Thomas adds that the class doesn’t just deal with what a person is eating, but also with “what’s eating them.”
“Many people eat when they’re stressed,” added Thomas. “Some are emotional eaters, meaning they confuse hunger with other needs. They try to manage their feelings with food.”
This multifaceted approach to health offered by ShipShape is even getting noticed by civilian health experts. Recently, Katherine Tallmadge, a registered dietitian and author of the book “Diet Simple,” made a guest appearance at a ShipShape session.
Tallmadge, who has a 20-year private practice in Washington, D.C., and also appeared on CNN and ESPN, and in The Washington Post and the USA Today, said the Navy’s ShipShape program works because it covers all the aspects of weight loss management.
“The Navy is doing a great job of promoting a culture of health and fitness,” said Tallmadge. “Some people might feel a bit of pressure to stay in shape, but it’s an important pressure that helps prolong life.”
Tallmadge and Thomas agree Americans, in general, need to spend more time in the kitchen and less time in fast food lines.
“Environmental influences antagonize weight problems,” said Thomas. “People are so busy they just want something to eat – quick! The more you eat out, the harder it is to lose weight.”
Thomas explained that fast food restaurants sell you combos that are quick and easy, which only perpetuates a weight problem, because people hardly even notice they are overeating.
“The portions are big and high in sodium, which makes the food taste good,” added Thomas, noting how ShipShape helps break the cheeseburger cycle. “In class, we talk about how important it is to prepare a meal and shop for healthy groceries.”
Tallmadge agreed with Thomas and said that it could be as easy as making a list.
“People need to plan what they are going to eat, just like what suit they are going to lay out for work the next day,” said Tallmadge. “If you leave the house without a plan, you could wind up a ‘vending machine victim.’ Take the extra time to chop up veggies for a healthy snack, and you won’t wind up noshing on greasy potato chips.”
Even though ShipShape is geared towards active-duty Navy personnel who have failed the body composition portion of the Physical Readiness Test (PRT), Thomas says Sailors who are also concerned about their fitness level can also enroll in the program before they reach that point.
“Weight management is similar to the pursuit of happiness,” explained Tallmadge. “You can’t sit around and wait for changes to happen to you. You’ll find that you don’t have a full life if all you do is sit in front of the television. It’s simply not natural for humans to be idle. We need to exercise our minds and bodies. If we don’t, we suffer.”
For related news, visit the National Naval Medical Center Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/nnmc.
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ShipShape Program Promotes Healthy Choices to Improve Quality of Life - 3/13/2003Navy Medicine's Nutrition and Exercise Program Gets You Ship Shape - 9/6/2002
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