Freeze the Gain challenge Published Oct. 16, 2013 By Civilian Health Promotion Services HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- Are you looking for a way to maintain your weight during the hustle and bustle of the upcoming holiday season? Freeze the Gain challenge is an initiative open to all Defense Department civilians and active duty members to help manage weight gain throughout the holiday season. Freeze the Gain encourages participants to maintain or not gain more than two pounds during the challenge, which runs from Nov. 1 through Jan. 24. In addition, this year Freeze the Gain aims to help the AFMC workforce learn healthy lifestyle habits to prevent Type 2 diabetes. The keys to prevent or delay diabetes include weight management, physical activity and healthy nutrition. A study at the National Institutes of Health found that most people gained less than two pounds during the winter holiday season, but that the weight was not quickly lost. Over the years, these pounds add up, and weight gain may contribute to diabetes or other health problems. Participants who weigh-in and weigh-out, gaining no more than two pounds of their starting weight, and attend the Preventing Type 2 Diabetes class will receive a completion award. This year's award will be the "Eat Right for Life Cookbook Companion." Freeze the Gain has four parts: 1) Enroll Enroll online at www.AFMCWellness.com between Oct. 15 and Nov. 15. When you log in to this site, a box will pop-up asking you if you want to join Freeze the Gain. 2) Weigh In Participants must be weighed-in by a CHPS staff member between Nov. 1 and Nov. 15. DoD civilians must bring an Health Readiness Assessment certificate to weigh-ins. Participants can print it by logging in at www.AFMCWellness.com and clicking "Wellness Profile certificate" in the upper left corner. If it has been more than a year since the last assessment, a new one must be completed. 3) Attend Class Attend one CHPS class about Preventing Type 2 Diabetes between Nov. 18 and Jan. 10. 4) Weigh Out Participants must be weighed-out by a CHPS staff member between Jan. 13 and Jan. 24. Never visited www.AFMCWellness.com? Civilians and active duty must have an account at www.AFMCWellness.com to enroll in Freeze the Gain. · Go to AFMCWellness.com · Click on the "civilian wellness" or "active duty wellness" links · Create a new account by selecting a login ID and password · Civilians must click "Take the assessment now" to complete an HRA if necessary. Visit www.AFMCWellness.com or contact CHPS Coordinator Orlagh Pawlyk at 781-225- 6377 for times and locations of official weigh-ins, classes and weigh-outs. Freeze the Gain weigh-In opportunities: Nov. 4 Hanscom Conference Center, 10:15 to 10:45 a.m. Fitness and Sports Center lobby, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 5 Health and Wellness Center, noon to 2 p.m. Nov. 6 Health and Wellness Center, 7:30 to 10 a.m. Nov. 7 Building 1630 atrium, 7:30 to 9 a.m. Fitness and Sports Center lobby, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 12 Health and Wellness Center, 4 to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 13 Health and Wellness Center, 7:30 to 10 a.m. Brown Building Conference Room, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Nov. 14 Building 1614 lobby, 8 to 9:30 a.m.