M-CARE employees get moving for the health of it

More than 120 M-CARE employees are participating in a new Active for Life (AFL) program in which participants track their physical activity during a 10-week period over the summer.

Taking it to the streets—M-CARE kicked off its Active for Life employee activity program with a June 17 fitness walk through Ann Arbor neighborhoods. Walkers included, from left, Tiffany Sherman, Barbara Extrom, Jill Halman, Tammy Ellies, Laura Morris, Marilyn Gutierrez and Carleen Champagne. (Photo by Ruth Sylvia)

The employees enter their activity to a Web site that provides tips for working out and staying motivated. For each minute of activity, participants earn points toward their individual goal. Participants also can earn bonus points for donating blood and participating in charity walks that M-CARE is sponsoring this fall.

Each participant is a member of one of five M-CARE teams stationed at its offices in Ann Arbor and Southfield. Teams support their member's efforts to reach individual goals. While prizes are available as incentives, the real aim is to help employees get fit while having fun.

"The purpose of the program is to encourage employees to be active on a daily basis," says Karen Schmidt, M-CARE Wellness Committee chair. "Whether employees want to improve their health over the long run or simply to have enough energy to get through the day, we hope this program provides the tools and support they need."

The AFL program is designed by the American Cancer Society (ACS) and encourages participants to set their own goals based on how active they are and how active they want to be. Participants focus on moderate goals such as walking or swimming, or more intense goals, such as running or weight lifting.

According to ACS, participants in AFL programs sleep better, feel better, and have less stress as they take steps toward preventing serious disease.

"Each year, an estimated 250,000 deaths are attributed to lack of physical activity," says Leah Hollier-Kerr, ACS quality of life director. "Regular physical activity can help reduce risk for major killers including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes."