UAH fitness program JMI celebrates 10 year anniversary

jmiLogo

The University of Alabama in Huntsville's (UAH) annual fitness program, Just Move It is celebrating 10 years of promoting healthy lifestyles and wellness in the university community. The campus-wide health and fitness competition is open to all faculty, staff, students, and alumni.

Just Move It (JMI) will celebrate the 10 year anniversary by "going back to the basics," according to Liz Redding, program specialist in the UAH Department of Health and Physical Education. "The goal of JMI is to encourage everyone to incorporate exercise and healthy behaviors into their daily lives," she said. "Participants may still compete as part of a team or on their own and will earn points for exercising and other healthy behaviors, but the real emphasis this year is on each individual’s health and fitness, which is why we’ve changed the goal setting and added a new level of awards for individuals.

"Everyone will be challenged to meet a fitness goal and a healthy behavior goal," Redding said. "We looked at exercise recommendations from several respected health organizations (American College of Sports Medicine, American Heart Association, National Institutes of Health, etc) and set the goal at 150 minutes of exercise/moderate activity a week," said Redding. “Even though that may sound daunting to some, that equates to about 30 minutes of activity most days of the week, and that 30 minutes can be broken down into 10-15 minute segments. We will also identify a healthy behavior for each week of the challenge and participants will be challenged to accumulate 50 points for healthy behavior each week." At the end of the 10-week competition participants who reach the bronze level (60-74% of the challenge total) will have their name entered into a drawing for a prize. Participants who reach the silver level (75-89% of the challenge total) will have their name entered into a drawing for a prize, and those who reach the Gold level (90% or above) will be entered into a drawing for a prize. The team with the highest challenge total will be recognized with the President's Cup trophy.

Redding said additional JMI incentives for 2015 include:

  • Participants will be able to sign up after the holidays, and may participate as an individual or as part of a team
  • HPE will still offer several special activities and seminars throughout the program, including a seminar at the beginning of the program detailing all the changes to the program
  • All participants who complete the program will get a free t-shirt

Additionally, JMI is once again taking part in the Scale Back Alabama program (www.scalebackalabama.com). This state-wide weight loss program offers cash incentives to participants who lose at least 10 pounds during the 10-week program. Registration for JMI and Scale Back Alabama will begin Tuesday, Jan. 6. Please visit the website at www.uah.edu/jmi for more information about this year’s programs. Specific questions about JMI 2015 may be directed to Liz Redding 256.824.6007.

 

Contact

Joyce Anderson-Maples
 256.824.2101
joyce.maples@uah.edu