Manage your weight

From: National Defence

Maintaining a healthy body weight is key for your overall health and well-being. Body weight awareness is important in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) since obesity increases the risk factors of many chronic health conditions, and negatively impacts your operational readiness.

Weight wellness is defined as maintaining a healthy weight over the long term, which leads to improved health and well-being. Lifestyle factors such as good nutrition, healthy eating, and physical activity influence your weight and reduce the risk of chronic disease.

Weight Wellness Lifestyle Program

The Weight Wellness Lifestyle Program is a series of group workshops designed to motivate and help CAF personnel. This program will help you achieve and maintain a healthy body weight and teach you how to live a healthier life.

How this program will help you
The Weight Wellness Lifestyle Program will help you :

• Set realistic goals for losing weight and keeping it off.
• Develop a healthy eating plan and adjust portion sizes for healthy weight loss.
• Develop a physical activity plan to boost your metabolism.
• Understand and interpret nutrition labels and restaurant menus.
• Plan healthy meals and snacks.
• Manage hunger and food cravings.
• Tackle the common weight loss myths and misconceptions.
• Monitor your progress and help you stay on track.

How it works

• Attend eight interactive workshops that cover the topics of nutrition, physical activity and healthy habits.
• Receive handouts and tools to get you on the right track for weight management.
• Record your eating and activity habits to understand where you can improve and better manage them.
• Develop a realistic action plan so you can live a healthier lifestyle.

The Weight Wellness Lifestyle Program was developed by CF Health Services, Directorate of Force Health Protection as part of Strengthening the Forces (STF) health promotion programs for the CAF.

For more information, contact your Base/Wing Health Promotion Office.