FitFamily provides families tools for success Published Jan. 27, 2014 By Staff Sgt. Ian Hoachlander Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- It's that time of year again when people resolve to lose weight, get in shape and eat healthier, which takes dedication and determination. To help Airmen and their families achieve those goals, the Air Force offers the Air Force FitFamily initiative which encourages families to develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle. More than 20,000 family members participate in the FitFamily initiative, launched Jan. 30, 2010 as part of the Year of the Air Force Family. FitFamily is a goal-incentive program open to all active duty, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard members, Department of Defense civilians and families, retired military members, honorably discharged veterans with 100 percent service-connected disability, and former or surviving military spouses and their family members. "Air Force FitFamily, is a web-based health and fitness initiative that encourages physical activity and healthy eating selections," said David Brittain, Air Force FitFamily program manager. "The FitFamily program stimulates an interest and awareness of the importance of healthy lifestyle choices and encourages families to get up, get out, and get fit - together." To enroll in the program, families can log on to http://www.USAFFitFamily.com and click on 'Register My Family.' Once enrolled, the system will email a password to each family member's address. "Families can register on 'My Goal Tracker,' earn points and achieve levels for participating in family fun activities, sports and fitness events and making healthy eating selections," said Brittain. "FitFamily intends to raise awareness of the importance of family fitness and nutrition to increase healthy lifestyles and the impact family activities can have on kids' well-being." The Air Force FitFamily website includes health and fitness articles, recipes and tips to help families become more active together. Participants can register to receive updates and articles in areas of their selected interest or their own healthy recipes and ideas on how to stay fit as a family. FitFamily introduced a Living Fit portion to the website, which helps participants reach weight loss goals through proper nutrition and balanced activity. Personalized weight loss goals can be set and Living Fit provides tools and advice on how to achieve these goals. Recognition will be provided at each of the five FitFamily levels to encourage families to continue on the path of wellness. Incentives include certificates, families being highlighted on the FitFamily website, parking spaces, AAFES coupons, letters from the wing commander and more. FitFamily achievement levels Each family can log a maximum of 4,000 points per day. During bonus months (March, May and July), families can earn up to 8,000 points per day. Activities are based on a 60-minute activity guideline, as recommended by the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. Level 1: Togetherness - 250,000 family points Level 2: Commitment - 500,000 family points Level 3: Determination - 750,000 family points Level 4: Perseverance - 1,000,000 family points Level 5: Wellness - 2,000,000 family points In addition, AFPC created a a step-by-step activity planning process to provide participants with a simple guide to having fun while staying fit and ensuring families can work through a healthy routine together. ABCs of wellness A - Plan Activities that include all family members B - Build healthy habits that will last a lifetime C - Count progress; small steps each day make a huge difference D - Schedule Day trips, game nights and fun time to develop togetherness E - Encourage healthy Eating and cooking as a family F - Have Fun as a family while creating healthy habits For more information about the FitFamily or Living Fit programs visit www.USAFFitFamily.com. To find out about other quality of life programs visit www.usafservices.com or www.myairforcelife.com.