Army MWR contest promotes healthy lifestyle, resiliency

By William Bradner
FMWRC

June 16, 2011

SAN ANTONIO — Fifty-nine garrisons worldwide will participate in the “Strong BANDS” promotion in support of National Sports and Fitness Month, last month.

BANDS stands for balanced lifestyle, actively motivated, nutritional health, determined to excel, strength and conditioning. The MWR promotion is designed to energize and inspire community members to live a healthy lifestyle.

“Resiliency is about more than just emotional, family, or social fitness,” said Darrell Manuel, Army Sports director at the Family and MWR Command. “It all starts with a healthy body. We want to inspire our Soldiers and Families to make nutrition and physical fitness a priority.”

Each participating garrison hosted a minimum of three fitness- or health-related events throughout the month. Participants were given Strong BANDS wristbands that symbolize the community’s commitment to a healthier lifestyle.

Soldiers involved in the Army’s World Class Athlete Program and All-Army Athletes Program served as ambassadors of the promotion and were featured wearing the Strong BANDS during National Sports and Fitness Month.

Family and MWR customers, regardless of whether or not their garrison participated, had a chance to win fitness- and health-related prizes through the online Strong BANDS giveaway in May.

“The real goal is to get people to commit to a healthy lifestyle, and get out and exercise,” Manuel explained. “But with the online contest, if we can get folks to start thinking about health and fitness, we’re headed in the right direction.”

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