Family Physicians Launch Next Step of Fitness Initiative

AAFP president has lost 50 pounds, focus moves to office staff. When Michael Fleming, M.D., was inaugurated as president of the American Academy of Family Physicians one year ago, he challenged his fellow doctors to “walk the talk” about fitness and lead healthier lives.

Fleming announced today that for the past year he has walked at least 10,000 steps a day and eaten healthier. He’s not only shed 50 pounds, but several medications as well.

“By making small changes – just taking a 45-minute walk every day and practicing portion control when I eat – I was able to make huge improvements in my health,” Fleming said. “A year ago, I was on four medications for blood pressure and now I’m down to just two.

“But the best thing is that my patients have noticed the change in my habits and have been more open to talking about making changes themselves,” he added. “It’s immensely gratifying to have made a difference not only in my own health, but in the health of my patients as well.”

This year at the AAFP’s annual Scientific Assembly in Orlando, Fleming is issuing another challenge to family physicians – to encourage their office staff members to become more fit.

“Doctors aren’t the only role models for healthy behaviors,” Fleming said. “My patients may see up to three other staff members before they see me, and all of those interactions are opportunities to model and discuss healthy behaviors.”

As the next step of the AAFP’s Americans in Motion (AIM) program, family physicians are being encouraged to participate with their office staff in the “Healthiest Family Medicine Office in America” initiative.

Participants in the Healthiest Family Medicine Office in America initiative will record the number of steps they walk and the ways in which they improve their eating habits every day. In addition, they will be encouraged to choose and track activities that they feel will improve their emotional well-being.

Fleming is quick to note that the success of the Healthiest Family Medicine Office in America initiative will not be judged by the number of pounds participants lose, but rather by the ways in which individuals learn to make healthy lifestyle choices and integrate them into their daily routines.

“The goal is to make small lifestyle changes that can be sustained,” Fleming said. “The health benefits of small steps can be huge.”

“Being fit is not about being buff,” Fleming added. “It’s about proper nutrition, physical activity and emotion well-being. When all of those things are in alignment, you’re simply healthier.”

Learn about the new Steps-To-Health Program.
A program like no other. It will motivate your patients to increasing their physical activity while they are having fun. https://www.steps-to-health.org/