Members of a power-walking class use special strollers to workout while caring for their children. Healthy families are the focus of the April 5-12 Fit Family Week on bases throughout the Pacific. (Allison Batdorff / S&S)
Click here to see Fit Family Schedule
YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan — Meet the Couch Potato family. They sit around all day at their jobs and at school, come home, eat junk food and veg out in front of the television or computer.
In the Navy, at least one member of the family is reasonably fit — the sailor who takes the physical readiness test.
But true “fitness isn’t just about the fighter,” said Kyle Rhodus, Yokosuka’s athletic director. How the family is doing plays into both the mental and physical health of the sailor and is a part of the Navy’s expanded focus on families, he said.
“It’s not just about the sailor being ready to fight; it’s about the whole family being healthy,” said Rhodus.
That’s the crux of the April 5-12 Fit Family Week at Navy bases throughout the Pacific.
Events and activities — from family dodge ball to healthy dining-out meals — are planned at bases in Japan, Okinawa, South Korea and Guam.
Yokosuka families will get Fit Family passports, in which they can collect stamps at more than 30 of the week’s events at Yokosuka and Ikego and Negishi housing areas, including a three-kilometer race, yoga, bowling and kayaking. And there’s no need to give up the video games, because another event is the Dance, Dance Revolution video-game competition at the Arcade.
With enough stamps in their passports, families can enter a drawing to win a trip to Disneyworld, Rhodus said.
While many of the events are just for Fit Family Week, Rhodus said, the base also will showcase such regular Morale, Welfare and Recreation offerings as its Movin’ Mommas stroller walk and the PT for Tots.
“We hope that by the end of the week, we ignite a fire to make healthy choices and to do these things together as a family,” Rhodus said. “It’s a challenge at first, but it’s usually just a matter of getting started. Once you make it a part of your lifestyle, it’s easy to continue.”
Fit Family events around the regionSasebo Naval BaseApril 4 at 2 p.m. — Fit Family ChallengeApril 5 at 9 a.m. — Hario Scavenger Photo HuntApril 5 at 8 a.m. — Golf tournamentApril 8 at 11:30 a.m. — 5K Fun Run/WalkApril 9 at 3 p.m. — Junior golf tournamentApril 12 at 9 a.m. — Fit Family Scavenger HuntFor more information, contact Pamela Law, DSN 252-3588
Fleet Activities OkinawaApril 7 at 9 a.m. — Fitness center orientationApril 8 at 8 a.m. — Hiji Falls Trail hikeApril 9 at 7:30 a.m. — Expo Park adventureApril 10 at 8 a.m. — Mangrove River kayakingApril 11 at 8:30 a.m. — Forest hiking tripApril 12 at 9 a.m. — White Beach Family Wellness adventureFor more information, contact Dave Littleton, DSN 632-4014
Chinhae Naval BaseApril 5 at 9 a.m. — 5K Run and 2.5K walkApril 7 at 5 p.m. — Bowling tournamentApril 9 at 5 p.m. — 3-on-3 basketball tournamentApril 12 at 9 a.m. — Cherry Blossom Softball TournamentAll week — Healthy menu specials at Turtle CoveFor more information, contact Gary Larose, DSN 762-5221
GuamApril 5 at 9 a.m. — Family friendly aerobics class at CKFApril 6 at 10 a.m. — Check out snorkeling gear or kayaks at Rec ’N’ CrewApril 7 — Healthy snack options at C-Street all dayApril 9 — Healthy menus at Clipper LandingApril 10 — Free aerobics and Family Fitness Room activities at CKG and NCTS Sports CenterApril 11 — Healthy family dining at Top o’ the MarApril 12 — Kids’ Day at NBG Marina from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.For more information, contact Token Barnthouse, DSN 339-4153
Yokosuka Naval BaseApril 5 at 10 a.m. — Fit Family 3K Walk/Run/Tot Trot at Purdy FitnessApril 7-11 — Youth/Fit Family Gym Orientations at Purdy Fitness Center from 11 a.m. to noon.April 7-12 — Healthy meal options in all clubsApril 8 at 5 p.m. — Family dodgeball tournament, Thew GymApril 8 at 5 p.m. — Family Wacky Fitness Olympics, Ikego TrackApril 12 at 9 a.m. — Team Fit Family Duathlon at Purdy FitnessApril 12 — Fit Family Fair including free aerobics, family boot camp, family field day at Purdy Fitness from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.For more information, contact Debbie Deutsch, DSN 241-3077
Naval Air Facility AtsugiApril 7 at 8 a.m. — Junior golf clinic at Driving RangeApril 5-12 — Walk & Golf Special at Whispering PinesApril 5-12 — Family fitness classes: Body Combat, Body Pump, Family Fun CircuitApril 5-12 — Healthy choice menus at all base clubsApril 10 at 1:30 p.m. — Gym etiquette for kids instructional classApril 10 at 10 a.m. — Family bike repair clinic at Reid Field TrackApril 7-10 at 11 a.m., April 10 at 12:30 p.m. — Fit Factor Fever Program for kids 6-18For more information, contact Ken York, DSN 264-3560
From staff reports
