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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.

HealthCode’s Marathon in a Month to support Hurricane Harvey relief

It’s time to step out and support students devastated by Hurricane Harvey.

HealthCode’s Marathon in a Month™ kicks off October 1, with participants challenged to complete 26 miles, 50 miles or 100 miles in the month of October. While there is no fee required to join the challenge, participants have the opportunity to make a donation at registration and support school districts in Houston and along the Gulf Coast in need of relief after Hurricane Harvey.

“More than 1 million students in 244 school districts were affected by Hurricane Harvey,’’ said Steve Amos, executive director of HealthCode. “HealthCode is committed to empowering people to live happy, healthy lives. Unfortunately, right now there are too many people who are in a world of hurt on the Gulf Coast. HealthCode is encouraging everyone to step out and support those rebuilding in Hurricane Harvey’s wake.’’

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 new, fun way to stay motivated to keep moving. Registration for Marathon in a Month is currently underway. 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.

Check out our Facebook page for more information on participants. Follow us on Twitter @HealthCodeIAM or Instagram @HealthCodeEvents and use the hashtag #MarathonIAM.

Participants who post their photos with their Marathon in a Month race bib on Twitter or Facebook using the #MarathonIAM hashtag will receive a chance to win prizes.

Now, it is off to the races.

Million Mile Month participants report they were motivated to exercise more, eat healthier

Participants in Million Mile Month 2017 reported the activity challenge motivated them to exercise more, to eat healthier and they felt more productive at work, according to survey results.

HealthCode’s Million Mile Month is a yearly activity challenge to complete one million miles of physical activity collectively as a global community in the month of April. In 2017, about 1.35 million miles were completed worldwide with participants logging miles of activity – from walking to swimming to yoga – on the Million Mile Month website.

HealthCode surveyed individuals who participated in Million Mile Month 2017, which ended on April 30.

Of 2,484 responses, 83 percent – or 1,948 – said the challenge motivated them to increase their physical activity – whether it was logging more miles, taking longer runs, exercising more days a week or simply getting off the couch, according the Million Mile Month 2017 Participant Survey via Survey Monkey.

In addition, some 55 percent – or 1,284 participants – said the Million Mile Month challenge motivated them to eat healthier, according to the survey results.

“When we launched Million Mile Month in 2014, our goal was to encourage people to eat better and move more – and these survey results show we are making great progress,’’ said Steve Amos, executive director of HealthCode. “Millions of people die each year from preventable diseases like heart disease, diabetes, obesity and cancer and our programs are designed to encourage people to take control of their health and embrace a lifestyle of physical activity and healthy living to help ward off disease. It’s gratifying to see we are making great strides.’’

Since 2014, more than 36,400 people have participated in HealthCode’s Million Mile Month, achieving 4.4 million miles of activity, burning 308 million calories and potentially saving an estimated $800,000 in health care costs.

Survey participants were asked how they felt after participating in Million Mile Month. A majority of respondents said they felt better and more productive at work. In addition, a majority of survey respondents said participating in Million Mile Month increased their overall satisfaction with their company.

“No question, healthy employees are happy and productive employees,’’ Amos said. “These survey results underscore the importance of companies creating a culture of wellness.’’

In addition, 96 percent of survey respondents indicated they would participate in Miliion Mile Month in 2018. About 26 percent said they would participate in HealthCode’s upcoming Triathlon in a Month that starts July 1.

HealthCode’s Million Mile Month 2017 Participant Survey of 2,484 participants was conducted via Survey Monkey in May.

For more information on HealthCode’s upcoming global challenges, which include Triathlon in a Month and in July and Marathon in a Month in October visit https://millionmilemonth.org/events.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield employees in five states step out for Million Mile Month

Blue Cross and Blue Shield employees in five states stepped out for healthy living during April’s Million Mile Month.
HealthCode’s Million Mile Month is a yearly challenge to complete one million miles of physical activity collectively as a global community in the month of April. In 2017, about 1.35 million miles were completed worldwide with participants logging miles through the activity of their choice – from walking to swimming to yoga –on the Million Mile Month website.

About 1,600 employees from Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in Texas, Illinois, New Mexico, Montana and Oklahoma participated in Million Mile Month that ended on April 30.

HealthCode launched the Million Mile Month in 2014 to help encourage individuals to take an active role in their health. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas has participated with Million Mile Month since its inception in 2014.

This year, the company expanded the program across additional Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans, said Alexis Penn, senior health and wellbeing specialist for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas.

“The whole goal was to get people involved,’’ Penn said. “And now we’re on the leaderboard.’’

Health Care Service Corporation, the parent company of the five Blue Cross Blue Shield plans, came in second of organizations on the Million Mile Month 2017 leaderboard with more than 123,000 total miles.

Whether it is an employer fostering a culture of wellness or an individual wanting to stay motivated, the goal of Million Mile Month is designed to encourage people to take control of their health and embrace a lifestyle of physical activity and healthy eating.

Dan Detar, manager of advertising sponsorships with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, said the company got involved with Million Mile Month in 2014 as part of an initiative with the Houston Astros to prevent childhood obesity. More than 200 employees participated that first year, Detar said.

“It was a fun and easy way for employees to be more active while raising awareness of child obesity,’’ Detar said.

Penn said some Blue Cross and Blue Shield employees got involved with Million Mile Month to jump-start an exercise program. For others, it was about the competition and “where am I in the stats?”

Penn said: “It’s about motivation. Challenges like this are fun.”

Penn said the five Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans are planning to participate in HealthCode’s upcoming challenges this year – the upcoming Triathlon in a Month in July and Marathon in a Month in October.

Throughout the year, Penn is encouraging employees to continue to use the HealthCode activity platform to log their activities and stay motivated.

“We will continue to stress to our employees that if you are logging your time, keep doing it,’’ Penn said. “Make it happen.’’