Free classes offered to improve health, fitness Published May 5, 2011 By Health and Wellness Center Health and wellness center KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The health and wellness center offers an abundance of free classes and services to help active-duty members, Defense Department employees, retirees and dependents improve and maintain their health and fitness. Balanced eating -- workout effectively -- live long -- BE WELL is a 2½-hour workshop for individuals interested in improving their health and fitness. The focus is on setting realistic goals for exercise and healthful eating behaviors. The class is held Tuesdays with alternating morning and afternoon sessions. The program is tailored for active-duty personnel, but is open to others as space permits. BE WELL modules on running, strength training and healthy weight -- Each hour-long module provides specific and detailed guidance in each subject area. Participants should wear running gear for the run module and workout clothes for the strength training module. Members can take one or all three classes. Gait analysis -- Hour-long individual appointments with the HAWC's exercise physiologist are available to analyze running gait. Individuals must wear running gear and shoes appropriate to run on a treadmill. Bod Pod -- This device accurately measures the percentage of body fat and lean body mass, which enables you to track your body composition effectively. The complete procedure takes about 10 minutes, but appointments are required. The Sensible Weigh -- This three-week lifestyle change program is designed to optimize long-term weight and fitness. Sessions are held on Monday afternoons and last 1 to 1½ hours each week. Week 1 targets strategies to achieve a healthful diet and developing techniques for self-monitoring. Week 2 focuses on behavior change strategies and building positive partnerships for lifelong weight management and fitness. Week 3 emphasizes building a physical activity and exercise program. Eating out healthfully -- This one-hour class assists participants with selecting healthy meal choices at restaurants, buffets, and fast-food establishments. This class is typically offered at lunch time as a lunch-and-learn activity. Participants are encouraged to bring a lunch. Food label reading -- This one-hour class provides an armchair tour of the various products found in the supermarket and assists participants in making more informed choices about what to eat by reading food labels more effectively. Tobacco cessation -- Choices include a classroom-based forum with four one-hour sessions. Start any Wednesday at either the noon or 5 p.m. class. Another choice two is the 12-week quit line to the American Lung Association. Blood pressures are required, along with weekly calls to receive medication. Continued support after completion of either program is available. Updates and participation are necessary for either program in order to receive medication. Library -- Material is available for checkout in both print and DVD on such topics as fitness, nutrition, diabetes, back care, arthritis, knee care, prenatal care and cookbooks. Relaxation chair -- This device is available for use during duty hours and the stereo system is equipped for cassette or CD use. No appointment are necessary; first come, first served. For more information, call 228-376-3170.