Fitness program helps civilian resiliency

By Alton Dunham (USAG Fort Huachuca)December 6, 2010

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FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz.-- Last week the Fort Huachuca Scout ran an article in which Lt. Gen Rick Lynch, commander, Installation Management Command, stressed the importance of resiliency; the ability to realize personal growth and development in the face of challenging situations. IMCOM civilians are now encouraged to take advantage of a free tool that develops resiliency; the President's Challenge, and even earn a presidential award for doing so.

The President's Challenge is part of the newly launched Civilian Wellness Program, and supports IMCOM's Command Policy #17, the Civilian Wellness Policy. According to the program's Web site, the President's Challenge is the flagship program of the President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition. The challenge is intended to help people of all ages and abilities increase their physical activity and improve their fitness through research-based information, easy-to-use tools, and friendly motivation.

Enrolling in the challenge is simple.

First visit http://www.presidentschallenge.net/login/register_individual.aspx, to choose a username (first and last name), a password and password hint. IMCOM employees are encouraged to join the IMCOM group. To do so, once users have logged in, click the "Your Groups" tab. There, you'll find the "Join a Group" section. Enter your Group ID Number (ID# 90878) and Group Member ID/Name, (Army IMCOM).

Participants from any fitness level can compete in the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award challenge. The Presidential Champions challenge is available to those who already exercise regularly, or those who have completed the PALA challenge.

Here's how it works:

Aca,!Ac The goal is to be more active more often and see how many points participants can earn.

Aca,!Ac People earn points for every activity logged into a free online activity tracker. Points are based on the amount of energy each activity burns.

Aca,!Ac The more points people earn, the sooner they'll reach the point total required for a desired award: 40,000 points for bronze, 90,000 for silver, 160,000 for gold, and a whopping 1 million for platinum. Physical activities in the challenge vary from gardening to swimming, and the key is completing some type of daily activity, at a participant's own pace and ability level.

Leslie Woods, chief, Sports, Fitness and Aquatics, Recreation Division, Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, says fitness facilities on post are here to help IMCOM employees meet this goal. Many of the activities in the challenge are available at Barnes field house and Eifler fitness center, including aerobics, cardio machines, free weights, spinning classes and more. Even a round of golf is worth points toward a Presidential award.

All IMCOM employees are authorized DFMWR patrons.

Woods himself has already signed up and begun the Presidential Champions Challenge, and is impressed with the makeup of the President's council and the program.

He is encouraging 100 percent participation within the DFMWR Recreation division.

"This tool works, and it imparts not only individual fitness, but adds a sense of group and esprit de corps within the organization, which helps maintain consistency in activity," Woods said.

"You can be guaranteed that the programs that are set up on there are efficient, effective and safe."