CHPS Weight Management Challenge: Choose What You Lose

  • Published
  • By Civilian Health Promotions Services
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Oklahoma -- During the months of September and October, the Department of the Air Force Civilian Health Promotion Services is challenging personnel to get fit by making healthy changes to their lifestyle through nutrition and physical activity.

The one-size-fits-all challenge allows each participant to choose their goal, whether it be weight loss, muscle gain, or healthy weight maintenance.

In today’s world of social media, it can be difficult to look past the aesthetic motivations for losing weight. The web is full of fad diets and weight loss supplements that promise fast results. Unfortunately, these quick fixes are not sustainable, and typically end in failure.

Dr. Yoni Freedhoff, an obesity medicine clinician at the University of Ottawa, states “the scale doesn't measure health, happiness, success, effort, or self-worth. While extrinsic motivation and those quick results can be great for kick-starting your weight loss journey, they are not likely to carry you through to the finish line.”

How do we shift our focus?

By finding personal motivation for reaching a goal, individuals can tap into a more sustainable and fulfilling source of motivation. This can be achieved by concentrating on internal factors such as beliefs, interests, and personal enjoyment instead of external pressures.

The “Choose What You Lose Challenge” was created to inspire people to find their “why” for weight management. This reason could be to have more energy, or to establish a healthy habit.  

The ultimate goal of this challenge is to find what drives and helps an individual remain resilient through life’s challenges.

Success in this challenge is all about the individual and is determined by the predetermined goal of weight loss, muscle gain, or maintenance. The classes taught will provide information on the basic principles of a healthy weight, including exercise ideas, nutrition guidelines, and how to keep your focus going past the end of the challenge.

To participate in the Choose What You Lose Challenge:

  1. Visit USAFwellness.com to enroll from Sept. 1 through 29.
  2. Print or screenshot the confirmation email and bring it to a CHPS check-in event between Sept. 18 through 29 to weigh-in, choose your challenge goal, and receive a free long-sleeve t-shirt.
  3. Attend one CHPS class between Sept. 18 and Oct. 27. Only one class is required to complete the challenge, but participants are encouraged to join all five options. In-person and virtual sessions are available.
  4. Attend a check-out event from Oct. 30 to Nov. 9 to weigh-out.

For more information, visit USAFwellness.com or contact CHPSsupport@us.af.mil.