Team Lean Challenge coming back to Edwards in 2009

  • Published
  • By James Baker
  • Skywrighter staff
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The command-wide program known as the Team Lean Challenge was so successful in 2007 and 2008 that it's coming back to Edwards and other bases across Air Force Materiel Command within the next couple of months. 

The theme of the Team Lean Challenge "Cleared for Take Off," which focuses on clearing the way for permanent, healthy lifestyle changes. These changes can, in turn "take off" the weight. 

"It is an awareness campaign that promotes team building," said Todd Amon, 95th Medical Group Health and Wellness Center information systems manager and TLC coordinator. "Through this program, team members are helping each other toward a common goal -- to change their lifestyle. We want to facilitate a culture change where health is the primary focus." 

The Team Lean Challenge will be highlighted and kicked off with a Health and Wellness Expo Feb. 18, 10 a.m., at the Rosburg Fitness Center. Weigh-ins for TLC participants, along with information on nutrition, exercise, health and more will be available. 

The AFMC program is designed to help the command's military and civilian workforce develop a healthier lifestyle. Using the Health Risk Appraisal tool available at the Wellness Support Center Web site, www.afmcwellness.com , TLC begins with a simple assessment of each participant's overall health. 

The challenge spans a three month period, beginning March. 2 and ending May 29, allowing participants the time to instill good habits, build a routine and lose weight in a safe, healthy manner. 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. 

"Once they have joined the site, it will be their central source for information on the four dimensions of wellness, as well as a place to enroll in TLC, log activities and accumulate wellness incentive points," said Lt. Col. Barb Anderson, AFMC Surgeon General's chief of Health and Productivity Management. 

At each AFMC base, awards will be given to the top three teams with the highest percentage of weight loss, the winning unit and a winning individual, Colonel Anderson said. 

TLC participants will have access to the Flight Plan Incentive Program on the Wellness Support Center Web site. Points are garnered for participating in classes and activities as well as for healthy eating habits. Participants earn fun incentive prizes as they progress through Bronze, Silver and Gold levels of wellness. There are a variety of ways to earn points: Participants will receive 50 incentive points for enrolling in the TLC, 100 points for completing the TLC with a final weigh-in. 

Over the last two years the AFMC has lost an average of 8,100 pounds, and is looking to increase that figure. Additionally, the base with the highest weight loss percentage will be recognized at the end of the competition. 

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 weight, chat with team members and view online support. Once the Challenge begins March 2, participants will start receiving weekly motivational e-mails that could present mini-challenges to complete weekly. 

For more information, call the Health and Wellness Center at 275-HAWC.