Ever wonder what it takes to walk a million miles? HealthCode is encouraging the global community find out in the Million Mile Month virtual challenge that kicks off April 1.
HealthCode’s Million Mile Month is a virtual local-to-global wellness challenge in which participants track physical activity – from walking to dancing to yoga to gardening – with a goal of reaching 1 million miles collectively as a global community in the month of April.
“The Million Mile Month challenge is a fun way to encourage people around the world to get off the couch and get moving this spring,’’ said Steve Amos, CEO and founder of HealthCode. “And as we are heading into Earth Month and looking forward to Earth Day on April 22, now is a great time to celebrate nature and get active outside.’’
Physical activity is anything that gets your body moving, according the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Each week adults need 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity and two days of muscle strengthening activity, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.
“Sitting is the new smoking and it is important to get active to ward off disease,’’ Amos said.
Participating in the Million Mile Month challenge is simple. Participants sign up on the Million Mile Month registration page and log miles or minutes on the HealthCode online activity tracker.
Throughout the month, the program leaderboard is updated with miles achieved globally. Participants can join as an individual or as part of an organization. Employers and other organizations can register at https://healthcode.org/organizations.
HealthCode is committed to raising awareness on the powerful role of physical activity in living healthier, happier lives along with mindful nutrition and care for the environment. Whether it is an employer looking to develop a culture of wellness or an individual seeing to stay on track, HealthCode offers quarterly goal-based challenges with more than 80,000 participants and organizations across all 50 U.S. states and in more than 30 countries.
Since launching the first Million Mile Month challenge in 2014, HealthCode’s programs have grown to monthly events, including the Spring into Action challenge, which ends March 31, and the upcoming Battle of the Branches in May to commemorate Military Appreciation Month.
“Millions of people die each year from diseases like heart disease, diabetes, obesity and certain forms of cancer, that can, in many cases, be prevented,’’ Amos said. “By creating a fun way to set and meet physical activity goals, we hope to create a healthier community and, hopefully, stem the tide of preventable diseases.’’