Movement

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Calling all NBA fans – show your spirit and keep moving with Million Mile Month

Are you missing the sizzling competition of the NBA?

With NBA basketball games suspended and with much of the United States taking social distancing measures to slow the spread of COVID-19, HealthCode is stepping up to provide an opportunity for NBA fans to support their favorite teams while working to stay healthy as they participate in Million Mile Month.

The Million Mile Month is a virtual local-to-global wellness challenge in which participants track physical activity – from walking to running to cycling to yoga – with a goal of reaching 1 million miles collectively as a global community by April 30.

“By setting up the NBA fans pages, we have created a fun and real-time alternative to one of the most disappointing outcomes of social distancing – the suspension of the NBA season,’’ said Steve Amos, CEO and founder of HealthCode. “The NBA has led the charge to be responsible and healthy. With Million Mile Month, NBA fans can satisfy that craving for competition while working to stay healthy, active and connected. “

With schools, gyms and offices closed and millions of employees working from home to slow the spread of COVID-19, HealthCode is kicking off April’s Million Mile Month a week early  today (March 25) to encourage everyone to keep moving and stay healthy.

Signing up for Million Mile Month is simple. Participants sign up on the Million Mile Month registration page and log miles or minutes on the HealthCode online activity tracker.

When NBA fans register for Million Mile Month, they have the option to pick their organization – “NBA Fans’’ – and they are then select their team.

Throughout the month, the program leaderboard is updated with miles achieved globally by individuals and teams. Fans can keep track of how their team is performing and how they stack up against other NBA fans on their team’s leaderboard and on the public leaderboard.

Million Mile Month NBA fans are encouraged to follow HealthCode on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram and show their spirit with photos sporting their favorite teams’ apparel with their Million Mile Month race bib or shirt using the hashtag #MMMiam2020 and #MMMiamNBA.

“As a nonprofit, HealthCode is committed to raising awareness on living healthier, happier lives and weaving connected thriving communities. In this challenging time, it is more important than ever to be active and socially connected – but in a safe way,’’ Amos said. “With social distancing and quarantining, we run the risk of becoming even more sedentary and participating in Million Mile Month is a healthy option to remain active and connected.’’

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Working from home? Million Mile Month to Kick Off March 25

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media contact:

Stefanie Scott

stefanie@stefscottpr.com

Working from home? Million Mile Month to Kick Off March 25

Virtual Challenge Encourages Global Community to Keep Moving Amid COVID-19

AUSTIN, Texas – With people around the world staying indoors amid the coronavirus outbreak, HealthCode is kicking off April’s Million Mile Month early to encourage everyone to keep moving and stay healthy.

HealthCode’s Million Mile Month is a virtual wellness challenge in which participants track  physical activity – from walking to running to cycling to yoga – with a goal of reaching 1 million miles collectively as a global community by April 30.

With schools, gyms and offices closed and millions of employees working from home to slow the spread of COVID-19, HealthCode is kicking off Million Mile Month a week early on March 25.

“Nothing is more important than the health and wellbeing of our communities around the world as we battle COVID-19,’’ said Steve Amos, CEO and founder of HealthCode. “Still, social distancing and quarantining is forcing us to be even more sedentary and even more socially isolated. We are kicking off Million Mile Month a week early to give people and organizations an opportunity to maintain healthy habits while battling stress and remaining connected with colleagues, friends and family.’’

Whether it is an employer seeking to promote a culture of wellness or an individual wanting to stay healthy and motivated, the goal of Million Mile Month is to engage in healthy living and connect with the global community.

Million Mile Month 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 an organization.

Organizations can register at https://events.healthcode.org/wellness.

HealthCode is committed to raising awareness on living healthier, happier lives through physical activity, nutrition and the environment. Since launching the first Million Mile Month challenge in 2014, HealthCode’s programs have expanded.

HealthCode offers quarterly activity events with more than 50,000 participants and organizations across all 50 U.S. states and in 30 countries. In addition to Million Mile Month in April, programs include iResolve in January, Triathlon in a Month in July and Marathon in a Month in October.

About HealthCode

HealthCode, a nonprofit based in Austin, Texas, is dedicated to empowering people to live healthier, happier lives through education and raising awareness on the benefits of physical activity, nutrition, the environment and community connections. For more information visit https://healthcode.org.

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HealthCode®’s Marathon in a Month participants surpass goal for calories burned

Participants in HealthCode’s Marathon in a Month burned more than 21 million calories – more than double the goal.

In Marathon in a Month, HealthCode’s virtual gala throughout the month of October, participants were challenged to complete 26, 50 or 100 miles of physical activity through the activity of their choice, including walking, running or swimming. This year. HealthCode challenged participants to burn a collective 10 million calories throughout the month. Complete results can be found on the Marathon in a Month leaderboard.

“At HealthCode we are dedicated to empowering people around the world to live healthier, happier lives, free from preventable chronic diseases,’’ said Steve Amos, executive director of HealthCode. “This October, we focused on burning – versus consuming – calories through Marathon in a Month. Our participants far surpassed our expectations.’’

Of 4,458 registrants in Marathon a Month, participants from 47 U.S. states and territories completed 4.1 miles of physical activity and burned an estimated 21.8 million calories, according a survey of Marathon in a Month participants.

Moreover, participants reported they felt motivated to continue to exercise and embrace healthy living.

“This entire program keeps me motivated to keep walking and become a healthier person,” said one participant. “It’s fun to compete with people within our organization.”

Another participant said: “I lost my mom this year to heart disease. It has made me rethink my lifestyle.”

Other Marathon in a Month participants said the program helped them to set goals and get back on track with an exercise routine.

“It has helped set a goal, then crush the goal. I am eating healthier and constantly making sure I meet the miles I have set for myself daily,” the participant said.

Some groups competed against other organizations.

Susan Robinson, program coordinator with the Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services employee wellness program said: “It helped for us to have challenged another agency because I think most of our employees have already reached their goals a week ago”.

Whether it is an employer fostering a culture of wellness or an individual wanting to stay healthy and motivated, HealthCode sponsors creates activity challenges throughout the year and works with organizations of all sizes to encourage healthy lifestyles.  The events include iResolve™ in January, Million Mile Month™ in April, Triathlon in a Month™ in July and Marathon in a Month™ in October.

Registration is open for January’s iResolve program. For more information visit: https://events.healthcode.org/events

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Lace up your walking shoes – Austin, Travis County leaders kick off Million Mile Month 2019

AUSTIN, Texas – Austin and Travis County officials, business leaders and fitness enthusiasts on April 1 encouraged the community to embrace healthy living by stepping up and stepping out as part of the global Million Mile Month challenge.

Austin Mayor Steve Adler, Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt, Austin Technology Council CEO Amber Gunst, Brock B. Purslow, vice president of sales with Humana, Amy Foster, nutrition coordinator with the Texas Beef Council and representatives from USAFIT Austin and Fleet Feet Austin gathered at Austin City Hall to encourage the community to get moving as part of Million Mile Month throughout the month of April.

“The steps we take today, figuratively and literally, make us healthier and happier,’’Adler said. “Million Mile Month is a great way for us all to have fun while developing a lifestyle focused on good physical and mental health.  Let’s all get moving together.’’

HealthCode’s Million Mile Month is a wellness challenge in which participants track their physical activity – from walking to running to cycling to swimming to yoga – with a goal of accomplishing a collective 1 million miles as a global community throughout the month of April.

Steve Amos, executive director of HealthCode, said: “It’s time to lace up our walking shoes and get moving. We hear over and over again that sitting is the new smoking. HealthCode is committed to raising awareness on ways people can live happier healthier lives and physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health.’’

Whether it is an employer fostering a culture of wellness or an individual wanting to stay healthy and motivated, the goal of April’s Million Mile Month is to engage individuals in healthy living.

The Million Mile Month program is simple. Participants complete activity and log the miles or minutes on the HealthCode online activity tracker. Throughout the month the program leaderboard is updated with miles contributed by people all around the world.

Since the first Million Mile Month challenge in 2014, the program has expanded as companies of all sizes and individuals from around the world stepped up to take the challenge.

HealthCode’s programs focus on raising awareness and educating people on ways they can live healthier, happier lives with a focus on physical activity, nutrition and environment.

HealthCode today offers quarterly global activity events with more than 50,000 participants and organizations across all 50 U.S. states and in 30 countries. More than 6 million miles of activity has been logged with projected savings in health care costs estimated at more than $1 million. In addition to April’s Million Mile Month, HealthCode initiatives include iResolve in January, Triathlon in a Month in July and Marathon in a Month in October.

“We are overwhelmed with the interest we are seeing from businesses, school districts, municipalities and counties – along with individuals – to take the Million Mile Month challenge,’’ Amos said. “Our sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy diets are killing us. While unhealthy has become the new norm, and we are hoping we can raise awareness on the benefits of physical activity.’’

For more information, please visit the Million Mile Month events page at https://events.healthcode.org/events.

Here is coverage from KEYE-TV in Austin of the April 1 kickoff at Austin City Hall on our Facebook page.

In case you missed it, check out this video from KEYE-TV Austin on the Million Mile Month kickoff April 1.

Posted by Million Mile Month on Thursday, May 30, 2019

Million Mile Month 2018: Registration is open

Are you ready for a million miles?

Now is your chance. Registration is now open for HealthCode’s 2018 Million Mile Month.

Million Mile Month is an April wellness challenge in which participants track their physical activity – from walking to running to swimming to yoga – with a goal of accomplishing a collective 1 million miles as a global community. Companies and participants can register here.

“When we started Million Mile Month five years ago, the goal was to engage individuals to take control of their health with a fun challenge to achieve 1 million miles of physical activity as one global community. We wanted everybody to get moving,’’ said Steve Amos, executive director of HealthCode. “The program has grown since then as companies of all sizes and individuals from around the world stepped up to take the challenge.”

HealthCode’s mission is to empower people to live healthier, happier lives by engaging people year-round through community-focused, goal-based challenges and programs.

“Physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health,’’ Amos said. ”Not only can physical activity help control weight, it can reduce the risk of chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes and some cancers. And it makes you feel good.’’

The program is simple. Participants complete activity and log the miles or minutes on the HealthCode activity tracker. Throughout the month the program leaderboard is updated with miles contributed by people all around the world.

For more information about Million Mile Month or to register, visit https://events.healthcode.org/mmm2018

How do you get your steps in? Send us your stories. Like us on Facebook and Instagram at @HealthCodeIAM. Or follow us on Twitter @HealthCodeIAM and use the hashtag #MMM2018.

IBM teams with HealthCode to combat obesity around the globe

Facing a global health crisis related to sedentary lifestyles, IBM teamed with HealthCode to tackle one of the biggest causes of disease today.

With a goal of combating a growing health crisis related to obesity while engaging IBM employees and their communities in more active, healthy lifestyles, IBM was one of the early corporations to participate in HealthCode™’s Million Mile Month when it launched in 2014.

Million Mile Month is a month-long activity challenge held each April, in which participants around the world track their physical activity – from walking to running to swimming to yoga – with a goal of accomplishing a collective 1 million miles as a global community.

“The idea is to get moving,’’ said Steve Amos, executive director of the nonprofit HealthCode. “We wanted to unite individuals around a collective community-wide goal of completing a million miles. People got to pick their activity – walk, run, swim, bike or dance. It doesn’t matter – just get up and move.”

When IBM joined Million Mile Month, IBM provided a valued boost to the program. Beth Tracy, IBM corporate citizenship manager, suggested the program extend beyond HealthCode’s home base in Texas and opened it to a global audience. IBM shared registration information on the company’s global On Demand Community website serving its global employee base. Also, IBM provided a local partnership discretionary grant to HealthCode to support enriched health programs and initiatives.

Beth Tracy, IBM Corporate Citizenship Manager, with HealthCode leaders kicking off April 2015 Million Mile Month.

Tracy said: “IBM’s amazing global employees jumped on it, with increased participation from Brazil to India.”

The IBM grant enabled HealthCode to develop new features, such as creating a global leaderboard.

Amos said: “The results have been incredible. She helped us go global.’’

As HealthCode grows, the nonprofit continues to introduce new initiatives, including expanding its programs to four global events: January’s iResolve™, April’s Million Mile Month™, July’s Triathlon in a Month™, October’s Marathon in a Month™

HealthCode’s programs have seen exponential growth with participants from all 50 states in the United States and from 30 countries. HealthCode’s programs are supported by companies with global employee networks, such as Dun & Bradstreet. For more information on Dun & Bradstreet’s participation please see their video.

Dun & Bradstreet employees in Taiwan in April 2017

In addition, HealthCode’s programs have:

  • Provided support for school districts struck by Hurricane Harvey. Read about Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s proclamation on Marathon in a Month.
  • Grown to more than 36,400 participants from 200 organizations including school districts, municipalities, state agencies, nonprofits and businesses of all sizes.
  • Generated more than 4.7 million miles of activity, burned more than 334+million calories and potentially saved some $859,000 in health care costs. At the same time, HealthCode events have helped individuals, families, organizations and communities be healthier and more positively connected with others.

We are honored to be partnering with IBM in our shared vision to promote health and prevent disease, so that everyone can enjoy the benefits of a healthier, happier life,’’ Amos said. “As we focus on physical activity, nutrition, education and community; delivering goal-based community-wide challenges, we are grateful for our partners like IBM. By 2020, our goal is to engage more than 100,000 people a year in our programs and help save $1 million in healthcare costs.”

For more information, please visit  HealthCode.org or send us an email at contact@HealthCode.org.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott cheers on Marathon in a Month participants

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott cheered on Marathon in a Month participants as they stepped out this month for Hurricane Harvey.

“As Governor of Texas, it is my pleasure to extend greetings to everyone participating in HealthCode’s Marathon in a Month,’’ Abbott said in a proclamation recognizing the challenge that kicked off October 1.

“I applaud HealthCode for promoting physical fitness and helping to make Texas a healthier place to live. I would also like to comment your organization for its contributions to support kids and school districts impacted by Hurricane Harvey. Your efforts highlight the best of the Lone Star State,’’ Abbott said.

HealthCode’s Marathon in a Month™ kicked off on October 1, with participants challenged to complete 26.2 miles, 50 miles or 100 miles in the month. While there is no fee required to join the challenge, participants can donate at registration and support school districts in Houston and along the Gulf Coast in need of relief after Hurricane Harvey.

Steve Amos, executive director of HealthCode, said participants can still sign up to participate in Marathon in a Month.

Whether it is looking for a new weight loss or fitness challenge or a desire to get out and move with friends or co-workers, Marathon in a Month participants have a fun way to remain motivated to keep moving.

Participants can sign up on the registration page at https://millionmilemonth.org/events and make a voluntary tax-deductible donation to support Hurricane Harvey relief.

For more information read Abbott’s proclamation on Marathon in a Month.

Mid-way checkpoint: Marathon in a Month off to a strong start

HealthCode’s Marathon in a Month is off to a strong start. So far, about $18,000 has been raised to support about 1 million children impacted by Hurricane Harvey.

HealthCode’s Marathon in a Month™ kicked off October 1, with participants challenged to complete 26.2 miles, 50 miles or 100 miles in the month of October. While there is no fee required to join the challenge, participants can make a donation at registration and support school districts in Houston and along the Gulf Coast in need of relief after Hurricane Harvey.

Steve Amos, executive director of HealthCode, said participants can still sign up to participate in Marathon in a Month.

“There is no penalty for late starts,’’ Amos said. “If participants still want to take the challenge this month, they can log all activity completed as of October 1.”

Whether it is looking for a new weight loss or fitness challenge or a desire to get out and move with friends or co-workers, Marathon in a Month participants have a fun way to stay motivated to keep moving.

Participants can sign up on the registration page at https://millionmilemonth.org/marathon2017 and make a voluntary tax-deductible donation to support Hurricane Harvey relief.

Several participants have posted their photos with their Marathon in a Month race bib on Twitter or Facebook using the #MarathonIAM hashtag. Here are a few:

 

 

Dun & Bradstreet team members from across the globe make their move in Million Mile Month

With the goal of achieving sustained high performance, more than 1,000 Dun & Bradstreet employees from across the world took collective steps during April’s Million Mile Month.

“Movement is a key pillar of our approach to sustainable high performance and has been connected to boosting brain performance,” said Roslynn Williams, Chief People Officer for Dun & Bradstreet.

“Dun & Bradstreet, in deep partnership with Tignum – a world leading expert in Sustainable High Performance – fosters a culture of Sustainable High Performance with a focus on four key pillars: Mindset, Movement, Nutrition and Recovery. We enable team members to achieve high performance in both their work and personal life, supporting them to be their best selves,” Williams said.

Million Mile Month provides an avenue for employees to stay moving and spark their high-performance mindset. Million Mile Month is a signature program of HealthCode, which is dedicated to empowering people to live healthier lives, free from preventable diseases.

In the  Million Mile Month that ended April 30, participants across the world completed about 1.35 million miles of physical activity collectively as a global community. Participants logged miles through the activity of their choice – from walking to swimming to yoga – on the HealthCode activity platform on the Million Mile Month website

In 2016, Dun & Bradstreet became the first company to participate globally in Million Mile Month with employees from 52 company locations worldwide participating. In 2017, more than 1,000 employees from across Dun & Bradstreet offices across the globe participated in Million Mile Month, completing more than 94,000 miles .

Kevin McGeehan, delivery consultant at Dun & Bradstreet, said: “The Million Mile Month has been great fun.  It has provided me with the extra motivation to push myself beyond my normal routines and has improved my overall work performance.”

Sandra Anne Roth, ER&C and contract SLRM lead support at Dun & Bradstreet, said: “Million Mile Month helped me feel more accountable, improve my focus, and provide me with the drive to achieve my personal and professional goals.  On April 1,2016, I started the journey to become my best self by ensuring I completed at least the minimum of 10,000 steps a day.  That first month of my journey I exceeded the 100-mile goal and achieved 154.71 miles simply by walking.  A year into my journey, I achieved 305.51 miles within the walk/run category.  I have completed my last two 5Ks running most of the races and my work performance significantly improved as well.  I am grateful to work for a company that invests in its people and for the opportunity to be part of the MMM program.  I am looking forward to what next year will bring as I continue my strive to improve and encourage others on the sustainable high performance journey,’’ Roth said.

Williams said the company is looking at participating in future HealthCode challenges, including Marathon in a Month in October.

Former UT swimmer Chris Kemp cracks the code on healthy living

As participants gear up for Triathlon in a Month that starts July 1, many are looking to incorporate new activities in their workout routines to stay motivated.

Chris Kemp, who swam for the University of Texas at Austin, knows the value of mixing it up.

“I actually was a basketball player in high school and turned to swimming while rehabbing from a knee injury. I started competitively swimming my junior year of high school,’’ Kemp said.

Kemp quickly gained attention from college coaches and went on the swim at UT, where he was member of two American record-setting relays. He was a 12-time All-American swimmer and won three NCAA Championships while at UT.

After Kemp’s swimming career, he coached swimming in the Cayman Islands and Orlando, Florida. Today he coaches a masters swimming program in Austin, Texas. In addition to swimming, after an injury forced him to give up sports like basketball and volleyball, he took up indoor rowing.

“My height, weight, and aerobic capacity from swimming translate really well to rowing,’’’ Kemp said. “I found myself getting very competitive with my times and eventually competing in indoor rowing races.’’

Kemp plans to participate in Triathlon in a Month and said he supports HealthCode’s mission to empower people to live healthier, happier lives through education and raising awareness of the benefits of physical activity and healthy eating.

“More and more attention is being focused on preventative health care and it’s something that makes such a positive impact on peoples’ lives,’’ Kemp said. “Triathlon in a Month is great because it provides people an opportunity to track activity and progress in whatever activities they enjoy and is accessible to everyone. “

When it comes to embarking on an exercise program, Kemp said “it’s important to try and find the environment and activity that sets you up best for success.’’

With a new exercise regime, Kemp advises starting with smaller goals and working up.

“I am lucky in that exercise for me is something that I enjoy and love how it makes me feel, especially when I’m done. The mornings I get up to go swim, when I’m leaving the work out all I think about is why don’t I start every day like this? It really sets the tone for the rest of my day and I’m in such a good mood after I finish the workout,’’ Kemp said.

He acknowledged, it is a challenge to stay motivated.

“My health is important to me, but even as a former collegiate athlete I find myself challenged to consistently make the right decisions when it comes to diet, exercise and sleep,’’ Kemp said. “I like the idea of helping an organization that encourages a community that supports each other in their efforts to live healthier lifestyles.”

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