Team Lean Challenge returns to Edwards Published Feb. 23, 2010 By James Baker Skywrighter staff EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE,Calif. -- The command-wide program Team Lean Challenge was so successful from 2007 to 2009 that it's coming back to Edwards and other bases across Air Force Materiel Command March 1. The official theme of the Team Lean Challenge this year is "Cleared for Take Off," and it will focus 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," said 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 to reduce overweight and obesity 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, blood panel/cholesterol 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 through 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, said Mrs. Holl. 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, each base 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 title of "Winning Base" in the large base category 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. 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. For more information and to register, visit The Wellness Support Center at www.afmcwellness.com. Official participants should access the Web site often to log their weight, chat with team members and view online support. Once the Challenge begins March 1, they will begin receiving motivational e-mails that will help along the journey for a healthier lifestyle! Steps to completing online enrollment: In addition to the official weigh-in, participants must be enrolled online for Team Lean Challenge. Ones weigh-in information cannot be entered until they have completed online enrollment. If they don't already have access to the Wellness Support Center at www.afmcwellness.com, you must take the Health Risk Appraisal (not required for active-duty). taking the hra does not enroll you in the team lean challenge. Please adhere to the following instructions: Select the most accurate status: For First-time visitors to the Wellness Support Center 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 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 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 CHPS or HAWC staff member to officially weigh-in! Once the online enrollment and official weigh-in is complete, participation will be official. For more information or to schedule a weigh-in, call the HAWC at 275-4292.