We're facing an obesity epidemic in North America, and The Salvation Army is not immune to this challenge. Statistics show that the percentage of Canadians who are overweight or obese is growing rapidly. This has seen a corresponding increase in the number of obesity-related illnesses, such as diabetes and heart disease. The good news is that for the most part, significant weight gain is preventable. Forget flashy weight-loss programs, diet pills, specialty frozen foods and elective surgeries. For most of us, a healthy lifestyle consists of three essentials: a balanced diet, regular exercise and adequate rest.

As a mission-focused church, the Army is recognizing the importance of taking better care of itself. When health improves, ministries benefit. Increasingly, Salvationists across the territory are getting active and glorifying God with their bodies (see 1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

Office Dynamics
At British Columbia Divisional Headquarters, officers and employees can participate in 15 minutes of exercise each morning. For the past two years, at around 10 a.m., DHQ staff have voluntarily met together for aerobics. “It's offered us a boost and a break,” says Major Winn Blackman, divisional director of women's ministries. Recognizing the importance that health plays in work performance, the investment of even 15 minutes can produce great dividends.

At territorial headquarters, the Health and Wellness Committee brings the well-being of officers and employees to the fore. “We are promoting and encouraging a healthy lifestyle,” says Pandora Lewis, a member of the committee. Whether it's advocating for the health needs of THQ staff or hosting educational seminars or events, the Health and Wellness Committee is an active voice in the building.

“We've hosted healthy workplace weeks, offered flu- shot clinics, checked blood pressure, encouraged walking and running clubs, and held seminars on nutrition, exercise and mental health,” says Lewis.

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada (phac-aspc.gc.ca), healthier employees result in lower health-care costs, lower turnover rates, reduced absenteeism, fewer medical claims, higher productivity and improved employee morale. All good reasons for Salvation Army centres to promote better health among their staff.

Lose the Pounds
The personnel at Maritime Divisional Headquarters have found a way to make their health initiatives improve the lives of others internationally. Through their 12-week Melt for Missions Club, staff are losing pounds to raise money for the Partners in Mission Appeal. When members join, they are given a sheet to record their starting weight and the pounds they lose each week (this is all done privately and on a personal honour system). The weigh-ins take place every Wednesday and members pay $1 each week. In addition, members are encouraged to ask friends or colleagues to sponsor them for the 12 weeks, perhaps by contributing $1 per pound lost. On the last day of the club, members will submit their total weight loss and the total weight loss amount for the club will be announced, along with the amount raised for Partners in Mission (visit Salvationist.ca at the end of this month for details).

At the other end of the territory, Victoria Citadel operates its Weigh Down Club every Tuesday at noon. While corps members attend, people from the community are also actively involved. “It's an opportunity for fellowship and encouragement,” says Major Jacqueline Patrick. “They come to get weighed, but also to receive information about weight-loss and other health issues.”

Walk Aerobics
It's not just about watching the pounds, though. At St. Catharines Corps, Ont., Salvationists and members of the community are invited to participate in walk aerobics three mornings a week. “Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, we meet at the church for 45 minutes of exercise,” says Captain Dena Hepditch, corps officer. “We start with devotions and then walk about three kilometres. We use exercise videos and project them onto a large screen in our gym.”

The participants are mostly middle-aged or retired women who see the walking program as an easy way to keep fit and find fellowship. “The program isn't hard to do,” says Captain Hepditch, “but it can be hard to keep motivated on your own at home. The church program offers a support system to help people keep active.”

Walking clubs have become popular at other corps in the territory as well. At Ocean Crest in Campbell River, B.C., women meet twice a week to walk together. Last fall, Edmonton Temple commenced a group that meets regularly for six-kilometre walks. And in Newfoundland and Labrador, a number of corps boast walking clubs, such as Hare Bay, Birchy Bay/Horwood, Englee, Channel/Port-Aux-Basques, Grand Falls Citadel, Eastside Citadel and Glovertown.

Our social service centres also recognize the importance of promoting fitness. At Florence Booth House in Toronto, a shelter for women, the residents are invited to participate in weekly exercises or group walks. “We try to go for walks at least twice a week,” says Major Donna Barthau, chaplain. “We even bought pedometers last year to record the total distances of our walks. Sometimes we set goals to corporately walk the equivalent distance to Kingston, Ottawa or Montreal, and we've gone on walking field trips to different areas of the city, such as the harbourfront.”

Eat Right to Live Right
In addition to exercise, good nutrition plays a key role in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. In New Waterford, N.S., the corps offers its Walk Away the Pounds program on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. To complement the walking program, they have offered many workshops to address other areas of personal health. “We've looked at weight-loss facts, healthy-eating tips and different aspects of food and nutrition,” says Captain Eliza Keats, corps
officer. “We've also had nurses recommend some patients with diabetes to our program.”

In Williams Lake, B.C., the Army conducts both a fitness class and a healthy lifestyles cooking class at its drop-in centre. “We offer a low-impact exercise program twice a week,” says Captain Claudine Kadonaga, corps officer. “Many people lack the confidence or experience to exercise properly, so we offer this as a service to the community.”

They're also intentional about offering fresh fruits and vegetables through their community and family services ministry. “We offer cooking classes to help our clients cook nutritious meals. We encourage them to make healthy dietary choices with the resources they have.”

In Brampton, Ont., the community and family services office provides an educational program called Eat Well, Feel Well to help clients prepare nutritious meals. “We want to ensure that our clients know what types of foods they should be eating and understand how to prepare them cheaply and easily,” says Gordon Randell, director.

As an organization, The Salvation Army is doing its part to encourage its staff, members and clients to achieve a greater degree of health and fitness.