President challenges Misawa Air Base Fitness

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Cammie Quinn
  • 35th Fighter Wing, Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, JAPAN --  The Department of Defense recently announced the kick-off for a 10-week challenge allowing fitness-focused individuals to log, monitor and be rewarded for physical activity.

The "Leap into Fall" program is a uniquely operated program initiated by President Barack Obama to motivate people to be active and follow a healthy lifestyle.
Those who are interested in becoming physically fit can sign up, either individually or as a group. Once their account has been activated, members can research physical activities, learn healthy eating habits and track their activity throughout the 10-week challenge.

One Misawa Airman is in line to sign up for the fitness challenge, and says the program can help anyone, regardless of their current physical state.

"The program benefits us all," said Tech. Sgt. La Monte Marshall, 35th Force Support Squadron sports director. "It's incentive to want to do better and push ourselves beyond our limits, while inspiring others to do the same. I plan to sign up and encourage as many people as I can to join me."
When looking for ideas, participants can refer to a list of physical activities provided by the site.

"The president's challenge Web site provides an extensive list of more than 100 physical activities," Sergeant Marshall said. "There's something out there for anyone, to include hiking, cross country running and power walking."
The site is open to anyone interested in getting in shape, and helping others get in shape too.

According to the President Challenge Web site, individual employees and military members or groups may register on the president's Web site. The DoD is asking for groups and individuals to register using unique identifiers at their specific locations or passwords in order to provide visibility to DoD participation rates.

"The Web site is based on the amount of participation done by the individual or group," said Sergeant Marshall. "Groups can log in and register the amount of hours they and their team participated."
Senior Airman Luis Escobar, 35th Force Support Squadron fitness specialist, said he plans to use the program to help him reach his fitness goals.
"My goal is to complete a half-marathon," said Airman Escobar. "This Web site is a good way to keep track of my progress."
He also uses the program to ensure he can keep up with his children.
"I'm having a second boy," he said. "Children are only little once, and it's important to be able to spend time with them."
At the end of the challenge, DoD will provide certificates of achievement to all individuals who log at least 25 hours of physical activity and groups who average at least 25 hours per participant.

For more information, or to register a team, visit www.presidentschallenge.org.