Rain doesn’t deter feds from fitness campaign kickoff

For busy federal workers, staying in shape means fitting in exercise anytime and anywhere it's possible.

"There are many different ways -- you just have to do it," said Lt. Tim Merrell, health promotions program manager at the U.S. Coast Guard, during an event on the National Mall Tuesday to launch the governmentwide "Feds Get Fit" campaign. Merrell was at the exercise rally to demonstrate the Coast Guard's portable TRX Suspension Training Device, a set of straps that can be suspended from a metal frame or even a hotel door, allowing the health-conscious to do pull-ups or pushups wherever it's convenient without hurting their backs.

Merrell's theme of exercise without excuses was a common one at Tuesday's event, which drew hundreds of participants from inside and outside government despite drizzly weather and muddy ground. "This is a pretty simple campaign -- we want to show that we care about you," Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry told the crowd.

The rally -- headlined by a former National Football League star and Obama administration officials -- was the first of many wellness-related events that OPM is organizing nationwide with the help of regional federal executive boards. According to Berry, Feds Get Fit will focus on four areas: exercise, nutrition, healthy choices, and wellness and disease prevention.

"This is an area where federal employees can once again lead the nation," Berry said.

The OPM director encouraged attendees to track their footsteps using pedometers handed out during the event, and announced a contest to see which agency can be the first to walk around the world by logging 24,900 miles (the Earth's circumference). Employees can use the program's Web site to compare their mileage to that of former New England Patriots lineman Darryl Haley, who led the crowd through a workout routine to warm up for a fitness walk on the Mall, and Washington Redskins defensive tackle Lorenzo Alexander.

Berry said OPM officials still were considering whether to offer financial incentives to work out -- possibly through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program -- as some states have done. For now, the campaign encourages fitness and health through awareness programs. And for many, that's enough motivation.

"Hey -- it got me out here in the rain," said Elaine Young, 51, who works at the Justice Department. Young, and her co-worker, Marcia Hines, 57, were completing the fitness walk from 7th to 14th streets Northwest

"This is just a teaser -- you really have to walk at least 12 blocks," said Hines, who walks daily for exercise, getting off at the L'Enfant Plaza metro stop so she can traverse the Mall to the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building at 950 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.

"I try to walk as much as I can," said Hines, noting that after trekking to President Obama's inauguration in January, she's convinced she can exercise more in the winter months.

The event also attracted some participants from outside the government.

"I would like to be in a fitness program -- it's just a little easier to do it when there are people around you," said Doris Smith, 62.

OPM also hosted events on Tuesday in Chicago, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Atlanta, New Orleans and St. Louis.