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That’s a wrap: Going the extra mile for a million miles

As millions worked from home to stop the spread of COVID-19, Million Mile Month participants walked, danced and ran the extra mile to hit a million miles as one global community.

In March, with schools, gyms and offices closed and millions of employees began working from home to slow the spread of COVID-19, HealthCode pivoted and kicked off its April Million Mile Month virtual activity event early.

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 a month.

By starting early on March 25, HealthCode worked to encourage homebound people to stay active and safely connected as one global community. In addition, HealthCode rebooted the April challenge to launch the inaugural May Million Mile Month challenge.

The result?

The community achieved more than 1 million miles, more than 11.6 million minutes of physical activity and burned more than 70 million calories as of June 2, according to the Million Mile Month results.

These results represent potential health care cost savings of $179,840, said Steve Amos, CEO and founder of HealthCode.

“It has been gratifying to see our global community come together to advance the common goal of staying active and staying healthy as we battle COVID-19,’’ Amos said. “Whether it is across the street or around the globe, the goal of Million Mile Month is about creating connections as we look for ways to adopt healthy lifestyles. While social distancing forced many of us to be even more sedentary, we challenged employers and individuals to take steps to stay motivated and maintain healthy habits.’’

Whether it is an employer looking to develop a culture of wellness or an individual seeing to stay on track, HealthCode offers goal-based challenges 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, Marathon in a Month in October and other initiatives.

“This year, to further support people, families, organizations and communities, HealthCode is working to deliver virtual activity events each month from June through December,’’ Amos said. “For instance, we are launching Triathlon in a Month in Training in June so participants can get ready to complete Triathlon in a Month in July.’’

For more information on June’s Triathlon in a Month in-training or other HealthCode events visit: https://events.healthcode.org/events.

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Ready for a reboot? Million Mile Month to kick off again May 1

With millions continuing to work from home to stop the spread of COVID-19, HealthCode is “rebooting” April’s Million Mile Month with a May virtual challenge to encourage people to keep moving and stay healthy.

“In a time when millions are staying at home, we are rebooting Million Mile Month on May 1 to give everyone another incentive to stay active and to maintain healthy habits,’’ said Steve Amos, CEO and founder of HealthCode. “If people missed Million Mile Month this year, this is an opportunity to join the challenge. For current participants, this reboot will enable them to build on their momentum — and raise the bar – while staying active, healthy and connected.’’

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 a month.

With schools, gyms and offices closed and millions of employees working from home to slow the spread of COVID-19, HealthCode kicked off Million Mile Month a week early on March 25 and as of April 23, more than 373,000 miles have been logged globally and 26 million calories have been burned.

Research shows getting moving will pay off in the long run.

A new study by the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  found higher daily step counts were associated with lower mortality risk for those over 40-years-old.

The study released March 24 tracked 4,800 people over 40 for seven days from 2003 through 2006. They then followed them for mortality through 2015. Researchers found those taking 8,000 steps per day lowered their mortality risk by 51 percent while taking 12,000 steps per day was associated with a 65 percent lower risk compared to those taking just 4,000 steps, according to a CDC news release.

Janet Fulton, Ph.D., of CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity. , said: “Being physically active has many benefits, including reducing a person’s risk of obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers. And on a daily basis, it can help people feel better and sleep better.’’

Registration is now open for the May Million Mile Month challenge. Participants  can 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.

There is no cost to participate. However, 10 percent of optional registration donations will go to support food banks through  Feeding America.

Amos said: “Social distancing is forcing us to be even more sedentary and isolated. Right now, it is more important than ever to provide an incentive for individuals to take steps to stay motivated while battling stress and remaining connected with colleagues, friends and family.’’

School superintendents are squaring off for Million Mile Month crown

Texas school superintendents are squaring off to take bragging rights during Million Mile Month.

School districts across the nation – including California, Florida, Missouri, New Mexico and Texas — are stepping out for the Million Mile Month challenge that began on April 1.

Charles Dupre, superintendent of Fort Bend Independent School District, said “around this time of year you can call me Mr. Million Mile.”

“This year, we at FBISD want somebody, anybody, to try to take away our Million Mile Month crown,” Dupre said in a You Tube video. “I dare your organization to join us this April in the Million Mile Month challenge.”

Killeen Independent School District quickly took up the challenge. Killeen ISD Superintendent John Craft fired back: “Hey Mr. Million Mile. This is Mr. Sole Man coming to you from Killeen Texas.’’

“We will accept your challenge the month of April for Million Mile Month. Our goal will be just over 200,000 miles. So, we hope you are ready because we here in Killeen ISD are certainly ready,’’ Craft said in a video posted on Twitter.

School districts are encouraging local communities – including students, teachers, families and friends – to join in the challenge.

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 the goal of achieving 1 million collective miles of physical activity to stay healthy.

In Million Mile Month, participants complete “miles” through the activity of their choice – from walking to swimming to cycling to yoga – and log them on the HealthCode website.

During the campaign, the program leaderboard is updated with miles from people all around the world.  As of April 26, global participants had logged more than 1 million miles – and counting.

Since 2014, more than 36,400 participants from 50 states and more than 30 countries have covered more than 5.5 million miles.

Million Mile Month is a signature program of HealthCode. 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.

HealthCode creates activity challenges throughout the year and works with organizations of all sizes to encourage employees to embrace healthy lifestyles. Learn more about HealthCode’s corporate wellness programs here.

Follow HealthCode on Facebook and Instagram at @HealthCodeIAM. Follow us on Twitter @HealthCodeIAM and use the hashtag #MMM2018.

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.

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.”

HealthCode’s Triathlon in a Month kicks off July 1

Have you ever wanted to complete a triathlon? You now have an opportunity.

HealthCode™ is kicking off Triathlon in a Month™ on July 1. Registration is currently underway on the Million Mile Month website.

After the remarkable success of April’s Million Mile Month, HealthCode launched Triathlon in a Month this year to encourage participants to adopt new goals to get moving and enjoy different activities throughout the month of July. Participants log into the HealthCode activity platform and set a personal goal for July.

“HealthCode is committed to encouraging people to embrace a lifestyle of healthy living – including eating healthy and moving more. The Triathlon in a Month activity challenge is another way for participants to stay on track with their exercise goals,’’ said Steve Amos, executive director of HealthCode. “What activities count? That’s up to the individual. We encourage people to mix it up – swim, bike, run, dance or practice logo. It’s summertime and it’s fun to try different activities to push your personal goals.’’

With millions of people dying each year from preventable diseases like heart disease, diabetes, obesity and cancer, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health.

Joining Triathlon in a Month is simple. Participants register and choose a mileage goal. Participants track their progress on the HealthCode activity tracker.

Join us.

If you have any questions about Triathlon in a Month, please visit https://millionmilemonth.org/triathlon2017.

Check out our Facebook page for more information on participants. Follow us on Twitter @MMileMonth or Instagram @millionmilemonth and use the hashtag #TriathlonIAM.

The first 30 participants who post their photos with their Triathlon in a Month race bib on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram using the #TriathlonIAM hashtag will receive a $10 Whole Foods Market gift card plus some cool store discounts.

Now get moving.

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.’’

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