The evolution of you: Program focuses participants on embracing healthy lifestyle changes

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Eric Donner
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Being fit to fight is more than just passing a physical fitness test; it's about making lifestyle changes that will have positive effects on your life, both during and after your military career.

Aviano Health Promotion (formerly the Health and Wellness Center) recently teamed with Nutritional Medicine and Behavioral Health Optimization Program to offer "In Forma," a new program designed to help individuals make these lifestyle changes.

"'In Forma,' is an Italian expression for 'Are you fit?,'" said Kevin Egger, 31st Medical Group Health Promotion coordinator. "We are trying to help the individual make a healthy lifestyle change."

In Forma is based off of a 16-module U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs program, which has been condensed into eight sessions. The course addresses areas such as healthy eating, exercise and body image. 

During the first session, participants answer a questionnaire, take a waist measurement and sit in the body composition machine to get an accurate body fat percentage and resting metabolic rate. This gives them a baseline of their present health and where they may be struggling individually. The results of the health assessment help the facilitators tailor the curriculum and goals for the individual. 

"The classes address each participant's needs," said Egger. "It can't be that everyone gets the same program, because we all have different challenges."

The eight group sessions are divided into two sessions a month, Thursdays from 8 to 9 a.m. at Health Promotion on Area Flightline. Each month, new topics and healthy practices are introduced. Following the session, participants have a week or two to put their new skills into practice before meeting again to discuss their progress and challenges with the group.

"The whole team is here to help with the lifestyle change," said Amy Abroms, 31st Medical Operations Squadron internal behavioral health consultant and one of the specialists working with the groups. "It is a positive group support environment for the team and the participants."

According to Egger, each session is driven by group participation and motivation.

"You need the group to keep you motivated over time to learn the new skills and reach your goals. That is what the group is for," said Egger. "This class is not about looking at PowerPoint slides, it is about learning skills to overcome the challenges you are going to face when making the lifestyle change."

The program also reaches family members. When families cannot attend the sessions, all the information is made available to share at home to help make positive family health changes.

"We are not here for the short-term result," said Egger. "We don't want people to make the change overnight. We want them to make a more gradual change so it becomes their new normal. The real goal of these changes is to make you live when you get older and not just exist."

For more information on or to sign up for In Forma, contact Health Promotion at 632-4583 or email at 31MDG.HP@us.af.mil.