RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Randolph has a chance to extend its winning streak in a Department of Defense-wide competition that promotes wellness.
Known as Crews Into Shape, the Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center-sponsored challenge gives "crews," teams of two to 10 members, a chance to earn points for exercising, maintaining or achieving a goal weight, eating fruits and vegetables and participating in other activities. This year's competition runs from March 1-28; deadline to register is Feb. 28.
Crews from Randolph started competing in the challenge three years ago and have already established a tradition with their level of participation.
"In the last two years, Randolph has had the most crews of any installation in the Department of Defense," said Jennifer Sides, Health and Wellness Center wellness dietitian.
In 2008 Randolph had 41 teams and last year the base had 33 crews with 271 participants.
Objectives of the challenge are for team members to eat two cups of fruit and three cups of vegetables daily, engage in 30 minutes of daily aerobic exercise (or 20 minutes of vigorous or muscle-strengthening exercise) and achieve or maintain a weight-loss goal. Crews can also earn extra points in a number of ways, including participating in a weekly activity together.
Crew members turn worksheets into their leader weekly, and the leader submits the data online via the NMCPHC Web site. Registration is also conducted online.
Ms. Sides said Crews Into Shape will be more challenging this year because the amount of fruits and vegetables has been increased from a serving to a cup. In addition, participants can no longer earn points for drinking water and other healthy liquids.
She said she likes Crews Into Shape because it promotes wellness.
"It's a healthy lifestyle challenge, not a weight-loss challenge," Ms. Sides said. "A lot of people enjoy this because it helps them establish a habit. Hopefully that routine will continue after the challenge is over."
It is also open to everybody at military installations, from Airmen, Soldiers and Sailors and their family members to civilians and contractors.
"We even had a couple of spouse teams last year," Ms. Sides said.
She said she believes Randolph's participation in the event is high because of its competitive aspect.
"I think people love team challenges," Ms. Sides said. "It's the competitiveness. You can form a team with your friends or co-workers."
She also said Randolph's crews are compiling good scores.
"We had several teams last year that were very close to the top score DoD-wide, so we do pretty well," Ms. Sides said.
For more information, call Ms. Sides at 652-3644 or visit the Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center Web site at www.nmcphc.med.navy.mil and follow the "Healthy Living" and "Resources & Products" links to "Crews Into Shape."