Be healthy: Join the Wingman Health Challenge Published Jan. 14, 2015 By Airman 1st Class Nicolo J. Daniello 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- The Wingman Health Challenge begins Jan. 14 and will conclude March 25. The challenge is open to all Fairchild Air Force Base members to include active duty, civilian employees and family members ages 18 and over. The fitness center and the Health Promotion Office, formerly known as the Health and Wellness Center, are working together to offer group exercises and nutritional classes to those interested in receiving assistance throughout the challenge. "What we'd like to see from people participating in the health challenge is a decrease, or for those who want to put on muscle, to see an increase in their body mass index," said John Gahagan, 92nd Force Support Squadron fitness center director. "This is a challenge, not a competition," he said. "I think competitions result in negative behaviors and if that happens then we didn't do them any favors, we didn't help them." According to Gahagan negative behaviors include; not eating, reducing their calories or doing anything crazy to lose the weight and to have the greatest decrease in body mass index. This is to get you started on a healthier lifestyle, to get you more aware of what you're eating, drinking and other habits that you have, said Gahagan. "Most of us eat for the taste and enjoyment of food and that's fine, we should," said Will Saultes, 92nd Aerospace Medical Squadron health promotion program coordinator. "We also must remember our bodies require nutrients to sustain energy, so choosing foods that are nutrient dense should also be a factor in the food choices we make. The Health Promotion Office provides programs to promote nutrition, nutritional medicine and have a fully qualified dietitian to help with dietary needs. "What the 92ND Medical Group and health promotion office is trying to create is a culture of wellness, where choosing the healthy option is always the easy choice to make," said Saultes, who also teaches nutrition classes at the Health Promotion Office. "We're here to create a culture of wellness through education, knowledge and helping them make either minor adjustments or major modifications." The services provided by the Fitness Center and the Health Promotion Office are available not only during the Wingman Health Challenge, but also year round. For more information on services available, contact the Fitness Center at (509) 247-2791 or contact the Health Promotion Office at (509) 247-5590.