March into May

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March into May 

Winner of the 2007 Maine Cardiovascular Health Council
"Healthy Heart Recognition Award - Community Category"



Get more out of life with March into May

March into May is a FREE, community based motivational program, designed to help participants "GET MORE OUT OF LIFE" by improving their health through increased physical activity.

March into May is a great way for people to get active, be healthy, and have fun doing it!
The program has been successfully providing the tools and resources people need
to set and achieve their physical activity goals since 1998.

Here are the 2008 MIM Prize Winners!

Nordx - Brighton Campus: Personal training at the workplace, from Core Personal Training

Gennyfer H., Portland Community: $500 cash prize

Marc A., Portland Pip Line: $200 cash prize

Lysanne D., Bates: $100 cash prize

Susan C., Portland: $USM Lifeline Center for Wellness

Janis H., Westbrook Housing: $25 gift certificate to Skillin's Greenhouses

Patty B., Westbrook Schools: $50 gift certificate to LL Bean

Mary Jane M, Martin's Point: $50 gift certificate to LL Bean

Lynda S., City of Portland: $50 gift certificate to Saltwater Grille

Lisa S.: $20 gift certificate to O'Natural's restaurant

Jessica L, Dept. of Secretary of State: Fitness ball and tubes from Workout Fitness Store
 

Announcing the MIM 2008 Contest Winners!

Portland "Photo Scavenger Hunt" Contest
Congratulations to the First Atlantic Healthcare team of Jennifer C., Rhonda S., Barbara K. and Kim H.
won the $100 prize money. Their entry was creative, complete and showed how much fun
they have exercising together around Portland.  

Fit Family Contest
The powerpoint submission from Meg Q. and her son Jai M. won the $200 prize money--congratulations!
Meg and Jai clearly know that being active together makes for many bonding moments
and a good dose of fun, too!



If you want to run the program and help others at your site participate, simply click on the RED "coordinator registration" button to the left and follow the directions.

If you only wish to participate and not run the program simply click on the BLUE "participant registraion" button to the left and follow the directions.


Our Goal
Motivate and support our community, friends and families to improve their health through increased physical activity.



Our Objective
To give you the tools and support needed to help yourself and others get active.



Click on the links below for the information you need:
How does it work?
Why is the program so successful
How can I benefit from increased physical activity?
Who is the program for?
How can I join
MIM History
Our Privacy Policy
Contact Us  
Visit our Sponsors















How does it work?
Once you register online for March into May (MIM), you will receive your very own personal activity page.  This page will help guide you to be successful in these quick, easy steps:

1. Figure out how physically active you are now

2. Figure out how to fit in more activity and how much more is right for you 
(how many minutes a day and for how many days each week)

3. Use the online tracking form to keep track of your success

4. Receive weekly tips that will help keep you motivated and active

You'll also have access to physical activity and nutrition information and a number of other resources to help you be successful




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Why is the program so successful?
  Every year March into May  successfully helps people become more active, because its design incorporates the key components below:
 

Time: MIM lasts 10 weeks, allowing you the time to see and feel the benefits of better health.

Support: MIM is a community based program (worksites, organizations, and schools), team building and social support make it more likely that you will continue to be active even after the program ends. March into May also focuses on changing the spaces you spend time in to help you be more active.

Flexibility: MIM is based on the Stages of Change. This means we realize that your fitness levels and interests in being physically active are different than other peoples. Because the program considers your different wants and needs, it helps you start at a place that’s right for you and then moves you forward from there. Plus you don’t need any fancy gym equipment or special gadgets.  You just do what you love to do.  This means anyone can participate and be successful!


Getting more out of life
Each year participants report increased energy, improved nutrition, weight loss, and reduced stress as a result of increased physical activity. Companies who have participated in the past have also reported improved office morale.



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Benefits of Physical Activity
Employers, work site health promotion and intervention are cost effective. Savings are related to increased productivity, decreased absenteeism, and lower health care costs.

Community organizations benefit through increased morale and team building.

Schools benefit from more attentive students, lower absenteeism, decreased tardiness, fewer behavioral issues, and improved academic performance.

You can manage stress better, sleep better and feel better. Exercising can also enhance self-image, prevent illness, manage weight and increase energy.



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Who is March into May for?
· Worksites
· Schools
· Community organizations
· Families
· Individuals
· Faith-based organizations
· Anyone



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How can I join?
If you are a worksite, school or organization you can register to become a coordinator for your site by clicking the RED COORDINATOR REGISTRATION button. Friends and family are also encouraged to join. So if you have a friend or family member participating somewhere you can join with them as well.

If you are an individual, you can register yourself by clicking the BLUE PARTICIPANT REGISTRATION button. You'll be asked to choose which site you are participating at...  BE SURE TO CHOOSE THE CORRECT SITE.  If you live in Portland and you don't have a site to participate at you can choose Portland Community Member as your site.  You could also support this program at your site by becoming a coordinator and helping other people join.

*While Healthy Portland’s focus area for the March into May program the Greater Portland area, it is such a successful program that other areas from the Berwicks to Madawaska have joined in the movement.



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History
March into May started in 1998 as a worksite wellness program with 15 Portland worksites. Over the past nine years it has slowly evolved into a community based program. It now engages schools, worksites, and community organizations from the Berwicks to Madawaska, Maine. Trainings supply the coordinators with necessary tools and support to help them run the program, all at NO COST. In 2007 we had 123 organizations participating in March into May reaching over 3,700 participants. 



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*In order to qualify for prizes, participants must be 18 years of age or older.

         
2008 March into May sponsors to date:

Eastern Cumberland County Health Coalition

Platinum Sponsors
Maine Health Works on Wellness       Martin's Point       CIEE

Gold Sponsors
Peak Performance Communities Promoting Health Coalition PROP

Silver Sponsors
Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield