The command-wide program known as the Team Lean Challenge was so successful from 2007 to 2009 that it's coming back to Hill Air Force Base and other bases across Air Force Materiel Command this month. The official theme of the Team Lean Challenge, "Cleared for Take Off," focuses on clearing the way for permanent healthy lifestyle changes. These changes can in turn "take off" the weight.
"Lifestyle changes are necessary to combat obesity, which is a significant risk factor for chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, stroke, heart disease, certain cancers and arthritis," says Antoinette Greene, Health Promotion coordinator for the AFMC Surgeon General's office. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 33.8 percent of Americans are obese and there is a combined overweight and obesity rate of 68 percent.
The AFMC program is designed to help the command's military and civilian workforce reduce conditions of obesity and being overweight by developing a healthier lifestyle. Over the last 3 years, a total of 23,204.5 pounds have been lost in the Team Lean Challenge. Using the Health Risk Appraisal tool available at the Wellness Support Center Web site, www.afmcwellness.com, the TLC begins with a simple assessment of each participant's overall health.
"Once they have joined the site, it will be their personal online resource for a broad range of health and wellness information, featuring an incentive program, a number of personal logs (weight, physical activity, blood pressure, cholesterol value obtained in a blood panel and pedometer), health and wellness resources arranged by topic, an area to create workouts and more," said Judi Holl, AFMC Surgeon General's team lead, Occupational Health and Wellness. The site also serves as the enrollment portal for Team Lean Challenge.
The challenge spans a three month period, beginning March 1 and ending May 21, allowing participants the time to instill good habits, build a routine and lose weight in a safe, healthy manner. Final weigh-ins will be conducted May 24-28. The intent of TLC is to foster the AFMC Wingman concept by encouraging participants to work together to achieve their goals. Each team will consist of five members, Holl said.
At each AFMC base, awards will be given to the top team with the highest percentage of weight loss, the winning unit and a winning individual, she said. This year, the bases will be split into two categories, large and small. Eglin AFB, Hill AFB, Robins AFB, Tinker AFB and Wright-Patterson AFB will vie for the "Winning Base" title as Arnold AFB, Brooks City Base, Edwards AFB, Hanscom AFB and Kirtland AFB will compete against each other for the same title within the small base category, not to mention a few installation bragging rights.
In 2007 and 2008, Wright-Patterson was named the winning installation. Last year, Hanscom seized the title with compiled excellence in the areas of average percentage of weight loss, percentage of base participation, pounds lost per assigned personnel, and program retention. Do you want to help Hill AFB claim the title this year?
For more information and to register, visit The Wellness Support Center at www.afmcwellness.com. As an official participant, you should access the Web site often to log your weight, chat with team members and view online support. Once the challenge begins on March 1, you'll start receiving motivational e-mails that will help you along your journey for a healthier lifestyle!
Steps to completing online enrollment
In addition to the official weigh-in, participants must be enrolled online for the Team Lean Challenge. Your weigh-in information cannot be entered until you have completed online enrollment. If you don't already have access to the Wellness Support Center at www.afmcwellness.com, you must take the Health Risk Appraisal or HRA (not required for active-duty).
Taking the HRA does not enroll you in the challenge
Please adhere to the following instructions:
Select the most accurate status:
- For first-time visitors to the Wellness Support Center (Never created an account), begin at STEP 1
- Civilians who have an account, but need to re-take the HRA can log-in and begin at STEP 4
- Active duty and civilians with current HRAs can log in and begin at STEP 5
Steps to begin
Step 1: Go to www.afmcwellness.com
Step 2: Click on Civilian wellness or Active duty wellness
Step 3: Create your new account by selecting your own login ID and Password (Active-duty members can create an account and access the site without taking the HRA- proceed to step 5)
Step 4: Click on "Take the Assessment Now" and answer all of the questions (Approximately 10 minutes)
Step 5: From the Home Page, click the link near the "Team Lean Challenge Logo"
Step 6: In the upper right hand corner of the screen, click "Enroll Here"
Step 7: Fill in your first and last name and requested team (team name preferred)
You will see a pop-up box that states "Thank you for registering for Team Lean Challenge." This will complete the online registration/enrollment process. See a Civilian Health Promotion Services or Health and Wellness Center staff member to officially weigh in. Once the online enrollment and official weigh-in is complete, participation will be official.
For more information contact CHPS at (801) 586-9586 or HAWC at (801) 777-1215.
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