November 10, 2016 • mccsokinawa.com
undrey/bigstock.com
H
oliday weight gain is a common fear tactic to urge people into new fitness routines around the New Year. But according to a study by The New England Journal of Medicine, the average person gains only about a pound over the holidays. The study reports that weight gained during the holidays adds up over time—one pound becoming 10 by spring—with the peppermint bark and turkey taking the blame instead of our actions after the festivities. There is no reason to fear holiday weight gain. The real issue is inactivity and poor diet over an extended period of time that leads to being overweight. A few holiday parties,
inside
pumpkin spice lattes and gingerbread houses won’t hurt you. Enjoy the holidays as they’re meant to be enjoyed, while living a balanced lifestyle the rest of the year. If you need help, MCCS Health Promotion can assist you. MCCS Fitness Centers offer tons of fun and challenging classes such as Body Bar, Cycle, TRX, Turbo Kickboxing, Warrior Training and Zumba. Find peace and serenity with a yoga class. Want something more personalized? Get in touch with a personal trainer. Read on for more ways to stay fit during the holidays. For more information, visit mccsokinawa. com/groupfitness, mccsokinawa.com/wellness,
DStress Line | 3 Nutrition Consultations| 3 Culture Corner: Masks in Asia | 5 Japanese Phrase of the Week | 5
"MCCS Fitness Centers offer tons of fun and challenging classes..."
mccsokinawa.com/semperfit or contact your nearest fitness center.
Pick of the Week: Going the Distance | 7 Black Friday Aerobathon | 9 Off-Base Events | 11 Semper Fit Events | 11
2 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | November 10, 2016
3 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | November 10, 2016
livingatlarge DStress Line
N
o one needs to tell you that life can be stressful sometimes. We all encounter times when our situation overwhelms us. It takes its toll on us mentally, physically and emotionally. No matter what your stress level, and no matter what the causes of your stress, remember that
you never have to carry it alone. Getting the support you need can be easy and anonymous. Visit dstressline. com at any time to chat with veteran Marines, Fleet Marine Force Navy Corpsmen who were previously attached to the Marine Corps, Marine spouses and other family members
as well as licensed behavioral health counselors specifically trained in Marine Corps culture. Talk to someone who gets it at the DStress Line. Call 098-9707734 or visit dstressline.com for more information and to talk with someone.
events&happenings
From top to bottom: Gunnery Sgt. Mark E. Bradley, Olga Miltsova/bigstock.com
W
Nutrition Consultations
hile dieting and exercise go hand-in-hand, some may argue that good nutrition is even more important than exercise. After all, you can’t outrun a bad diet. But learning the appropriate amounts of what to eat (or not eat) isn’t as instinctual as you may think. That’s one of the reasons dieticians exist, but to learn their knowledge or seek their advice can be costly. However, MCCS Health Promotion offers nutrition consultations for FREE. Their nutrition expert is available for individual nutrition consults, weight-management tips and unit nutrition briefs (by request). For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 645-3910 or visit mccsokinawa.com/wellness to learn more about the healthy living resources that MCCS provides absolutely FREE.
CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER | Jim Kassebaum MANAGING EDITOR | Ryan Anastoplus ART DIRECTOR | Hector Nieves CULTURAL RESEARCH SPECIALIST | Ayako Kawamitsu GRAPHIC ARTS MANAGER | Henry Ortega GRAPHIC DESIGNERS | Margie Shimabukuro, Lisa Miyagi, Catherine Newquist EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | Mike Daley DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER | Thomas Alan Smilie AD/SPONSORSHIP MANAGER | Roy Forster AD SALES | Yoshihiro Shinzato, Aya Chilcote, Yoriko Yamashiro, Tomoko Taylor, Lisa Hicks, Carina Fils-Julien DISTRIBUTION | Gideon Juko, Kelli Kreider MARKETING ACCOUNTS MANAGER | Andrew Menges ACCOUNTS & RESEARCH | Marissa DeSmet, Ashley Herring, Kristen Wong, Katherine Melrose, Allison Dixon BROADCAST | Kathlene Millette, Gabriel Archer, Emi Komiya VOLUNTEER | Jessie McKean INTERNS | Chloé Stevens, Valeria Solorzano
Questions? Comments? Please e-mail OLW@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. To advertise in Okinawa Living Weekly, call 645-2245, fax 645-0975, or email sales@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. MCCS is not responsible for designing and editing outside ads. No Department of Defense, U.S. Marine Corps or Marine Corps Community Services endorsement of commercial advertisers or sponsors implied.
This publication printed with
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An out-of-this-world dining experience...
I N T E RNAT I O NA L F U S I O N NOW, with a FREE Friday/Saturday shuttle bus service on Camp Foster. Visit TERRA International Fusion online or more information. mccsokinawa.com/terra #MakesOkinawaHome #TerraOkinawa
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japanese phrase
culturecorner
of the week
B
Ashi ga hayai ne! You're a fast runner!
Clockwise from the top left: Maridav/bigstock.com, Sira Anamwong/bigstock.com
For details about FREE Japanese language classes, please call Marine & Family Programs-Resources at 645-2104/2106.
Masks in Asia
etween 1918 and 1950, four significant events affected Japan’s air. First it was the flu pandemic of 1918. A few years later in 1923, the Great Kanto Earthquake left smoke and ash in the air for weeks. In 1934, there was the second global flu epidemic. In the 1950s, industrialization led to higher levels of carbon dioxide in the air, which encouraged rapid growth of pollen-rich Japanese cedar. The solution for each of these events was the face mask. The issues of airborne illness, pollution and allergens are not specific to Asia, so why has the mask become so commonplace in East Asia? It could be traced back to Taoism and traditional Chinese medicine, wherein breath and breathing are key elements to good health. Breathing bad air, or “feng,” is considered one of the most potent causes of disease. We can guess
that on some level, mask-wearing predates medicine, and is actually part of East Asian culture. As people continued to wear masks, its purpose evolved. Masks have become a fashion accessory and at times, a social crutch. Some claim to wear masks because they find comfort in the barrier it builds between them and the outside world. Some women prefer the “eyes only” look; one model told
reporters that she wears a mask after removing makeup at the end of photo shoots to conceal her natural face. Many women wear masks for a similar purpose, reasoning that slipping on a mask is easier than applying makeup. No matter what the purpose, surgical masks have a practical and esoteric function in Japan. It is just unclear which is which.
If you have any burning questions about Japanese culture, please send them to OLW@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.
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7 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | November 10, 2016
didyou know
pickoftheweek
Going the Distance
O Approximately 0.5% of the U.S. population has finished a marathon.
kinawa is a runner’s island. The Naha Marathon and the Okinawa Marathon attract 30,000 and 15,000 runners each winter, respectively, making them the two largest races on island. Apart from the two big ones, there have been 36 races on Okinawa and its surrounding islands, not including the 21 races currently open for registration on Sports Entry (sportsentry.ne.jp), a
site where you can register for sporting events throughout Japan. One of the staple races on Okinawa for the military community is the Camp Kinser Half Marathon. For those that are registered for either the Okinawa or Naha Marathons, athletes have been using the Kinser Half as the ideal warm-up race since 1989. The race is on November 8 at 8:05 a.m.
From top to bottom: HalfPoint/bigstock.com, soupstock/bigstock.com, Thomas Alan Smilie
photooftheweek
Happy Birthday, Marines!
Register by November 2 at any MCCS Fitness Center for $30. After November 2, registration will only be accepted at the Camp Kinser Fitness Center. This event is open to participants island-wide. Awards will be given to the first, second and third place finishers in each category. For more information, call 637-1869 or visit mccsokinawa.com/ adultsports.
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9 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | November 10, 2016
spotlight
didyou know?
T
og-vision/bigstock.com
The average Thanksgiving meal has over 3,000 calories.
Black Friday Aerobathon
hanksgiving is a day to get together with loved ones and show appreciation for all the good things in your life. It can also be a perfect time to shamelessly bury yourself in a mountain of turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, casseroles and pies. Fortunately, MCCS Health Promotion has a solution to help you enjoy your Thanksgiving feast and stay healthy along the way. Burn the calories from your second (ok, maybe fourth) helping of pumpkin pie and jump start the most infamous food-laden season with the Black Friday Aerobathon at Gunners Fitness Center on Camp Foster on November 25 from 8 to 11:50 a.m. Take part in four different classes (MixxedFit, Body Tone, Cycle and Yoga) to either get back into the fitness groove or maintain your healthy habits. Just because you
enjoy some delicious holiday treats doesn’t mean that you should quit exercising. No registration is necessary for this FREE event, but space is available on a first-come, firstserved basis. Win great prizes from Kafuu Resort Fuchaku Condo Hotel, Okinawa GRAND MER Resort,
and ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort. Participants should bring adequate hydration, a towel and be ready to sweat. For more information, call 6453910 or visit mccsokinawa.com/ wellness.
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11 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | November 10, 2016
tours+
adventure begins here Shuri Castle & Naha* November 12, 9 a.m.–5 p.m Adults $23; Children (3–11) $16 FREE (under 3) Tour the ancient 15th century castle, once home of the Ryukyu kings. Shuri is the only fully reconstructed castle on Okinawa. Spend the rest of the afternoon at the beautiful Fukushu Garden and Naminoue Shinto Shrine. Sweet & Salty Tour* November 12, 8:30 a.m.–1 :30 p.m. Adults $20, Children (3–11) $13 (under 3) FREE See the processes behind two of Okinawa’s traditional trades. First visit a sugarcane factory and learn the process of making Okinawa’s healthy brown sugar. Then tour a Sea Salt refinery to find out about the production of salt.
Battle Sites November 13, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Adults $28, Children (3–11) $18 (under 3) FREE Explore the Japanese Naval Underground Headquarters and end the day at Peace Memorial Park. Castle, Homes & Gardens November 13, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Adults $42, Children (15–17) $40 (13–15) $37, (6–12) $24, (under 6) FREE* *Children (4–5) must pay ¥600 at the restaurant. Enjoy a wonderful mixture of Okinawa’s beauty and culture by taking a stroll through Nakagusuku Castle, Nakamura House and the Southeast Botanical Gardens.
*Bring yen for additional food, drinks and/or purchases. For more information, contact MCCS Tours+: Camp Foster 646-3502 | Camp Hansen 623-6344 | Camp Kinser 637-2744
off-baseevents get out and explore
Okinawa Woody Fair November 10–13, 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Plaza House Shopping Mall, Okinawa City FREE
Proud sponsor of MCCS Youth Sports
Athletics/Adult Sports
From top to bottom: Thomas Alan Smilie
645-3521/3522
Aquatics 645-3180 Courtney Ironworks 622-9261/7297 Futenma Semper Fit 636-2672 Gunners Fitness Center 645-3985/2235 Hansen House of Pain 623-5558/4831 Health Promotion 645-3484/3910 Kinser Fitness Center 637-1869/1114 Schwab Power Dome 625-2654/2442 Taiyo Golf Club 622-2004 Tsunami SCUBA 645-9500 Youth Sports 645-3533/3534
Aloha Yose English Rakugo in Okinawa November 14, 5:30 p.m. Ashibina Theater, Okinawa City Adults ¥1,500, Children ¥800
Naha Youth Festival November 13, 1–9 p.m. Naha Shintoshin Park, Naha City FREE
upcoming semperfitevents Southern Commander’s Cup Softball Tournament November 18–20 Camp Foster Gunners Fitness Center Register at any MCCS Fitness Center by 1 p.m on November 14. This FREE event is open to eligible units on Camps Foster, MCAS Futenma and Camp Kinser. Tournament bracket and rules will be emailed to each participant. Awards will be given to top two teams. Details: 645-3003.
Open Softball Tournament November 25–27 Camp Courtney Softball Field Register at any MCCS Fitness Center by 1 p.m. on November 21 for $100. This event is open to participants islandwide. Tournament bracket and rules will be emailed to each participant. Awards will be given to top three teams. Details: 622-7297.
classof theweek Zumba Zumba features aerobic interval training with easy to follow dance steps derived from Latin backgrounds. Dancing skills are not necessary. Camps Courtney, Foster, Hansen, Kinser and Schwab For more information and a full schedule, visit mccsokinawa.com/groupfitness.