AFMC to promote Employee Physical Fitness Month in May Published April 25, 2012 By Air Force Materiel Command Wellness Support Center WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- May is National Employee Physical Fitness Month, a time for everyone to focus on developing and maintaining a fit and healthy workforce. Air Force Materiel Command will promote its Be Active: Physical Fitness and Activity Initiative throughout the month. According to the Centers of Disease Control, regular physical activity can help control body weight, reduce risk of cardiovascular disease, improve brain function and mood and strengthen bones and muscles. During the month of May, Civilian Health Promotion Services will be offering these "Be Active Your Way" activities: · Be Active: Physical Fitness and Activity Initiative · Physical activity health education classes · Cardiac Risk Profile (CRP) screenings · Blood pressure screenings · Force Support Squadron links to fun run and walks and fitness center classes At Hanscom, the following classes will be offered: Exercise and Aging · May 2 from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Health and Wellness Center classroom in Building 1540 · May 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Brown Conference Room in Building 1305 Get Walking · May 7 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. in the HAWC classroom · May 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Brown Conference Room Benefits of Exercise · May 23 from 9 to 10 a.m. in the HAWC classroom · May 30 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Brown Conference Room AFMC's Be Active initiative involves the AFMC Wellness Support Center website at www.AFMCWellness.com and the physical activity log. The goal of this initiative is to log minutes of physical activity for a minimum of 420 minutes, or seven hours, during the month of May. Individuals who complete this task will receive "A Year of Health Hints" book. In addition, Department of Defense civilians at Hanscom who complete their Health Risk Assessment on the wellness website under the "How to Participate" section will receive a free T-shirt. Once the assessment is complete, participants may email a copy of the certificate to CHPSHanscom@foh.hhs.gov, along with their T-shirt size (M-2XL) and office location and it will be delivered to them. The Be Active: Physical Fitness Initiative is open to all active duty and appropriated-funded AFMC civilian employees. Participants should speak with their physician before beginning any exercise or physical activity program. Those interested are encouraged to visit www.AFMCWellness.com often to learn of opportunities to be physically active during the month of May, including base's fitness center class schedule, as well as sponsored fun runs and walks. Hanscom personnel may con tact Orlagh Pawlyk, CHPS coordinator, at 781-225-6377, CHPSHanscom@foh.hhs.gov or stop by the CHPS office in the HAWC. How to Participate in the Be Active: Physical Fitness Initiative: · Create an online account at www.AFMCWellness.com · Civilians need to have a current Health Risk Assessment. Active duty members do not need to complete a HRA to participate. · To be eligible for the completion award, participants need to log 420 minutes, or seven hours, between May 1 and May 31 · Log in physical activity during the month of May in the physical activity log at www.AFMCWellness.com. · May 1-5: Log 30 minutes a minimum of two days a week · May 6-12: Log 30 minutes at least two days a week · May 13-19: Log 30 minutes a minimum of three days a week · May 20-26: Log 30 minutes at least three days a week · May 27-31: Log 30 minutes at least four days a week