fitness Archives - HealthCode

HealthCode encouraging global community to get moving with monthly virtual events year-round

With millions continuing to work from home to stop the spread of COVID-19, HealthCode is introducing a series of new virtual challenges to encourage people to keep moving and stay healthy year-round.

“The stress from the global coronavirus pandemic is immense and is leading to increased sedentary lifestyles and social isolation,’’ said Steve Amos, CEO and founder of HealthCode.”As millions continue working from home and as we adapt to a new normal, we are rolling new virtual activity challenges to give everyone new incentives to stay active and maintain healthy habits.’’

In March, after 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 April’s Million Mile Month virtual challenge early to give people and organizations an incentive to maintain healthy habits while battling stress and remaining connected with colleagues, friends and family.

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 to include iResolve in January, Triathlon in a Month in July and Marathon in a Month in October.

HealthCode is rolling out new virtual challenges for individuals and organizations, including Dog Days of Summer currently underway throughout the month of August as well as Fall into Action in September, Turkey Trek in November, Give the Gift of Health in December, Love Your Health in February and Spring Into Action in March and a Million Mile Month Reboot in May.

More information on each event can be found on the HealthCode events page.

HealthCode works with businesses, educational institutions and federal, state, local governments to incorporate virtual events into wellness programs to engage employees in healthy living. There is no charge to sign up for HealthCode’s virtual challenges, but Amos said donations support delivery of HealthCode’s programs and development of new educational programs.

Research shows getting moving pays off in the long run. A recent 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.

“Now more than ever it is important to keep moving and stay healthy. By adding more events, we are giving members of our global community more incentives to remain active and on-track with their fitness goals,’’ Amos said. “Engaging in physical activity has so many benefits, including reducing a person’s risk of obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers. And by remaining active daily, it can help people feel better and sleep better.’’

 

 

 

 

AFWERX Fusion Official Showcase Selection
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HealthCode teams with 4empowerment at AFWERX Fusion

HealthCode is teaming up with 4empowerment to compete in the “Base of the Future” challenge at the AFWERX Fusion 2020 showcase and virtual event July 28-30.

AFWERX, the U.S. Air Force’s innovation arm focused on fostering innovation within the Air Force, selected 4empowerment among 375 teams from more than 1,500 submissions from across the globe to compete in the Base of the Future challenge.

“Our goal is to select the best solutions and guide the teams through future contracting, funding and prototyping to further develop their concept into real-word implementation to benefit the Air Force, our warfighters, the Department of Defense and allied partners worldwide,” said Mark Rowland of AFWERX in a news release.  “The AFWERX Base of the Future Challenge is critical to our mission of increasing collaboration between large businesses and entrepreneurs to accelerate solutions for the Air Force.”

4empowermentSteve Amos, CEO of 4empowerment and founder and CEO of the nonprofit HealthCode, said: “Keeping our military fit and healthy is a top priority of 4empowerment and HealthCode. Through the HealthCode wellness platform, we provide a secure, easy-to-use tool to help achieve wellness goals of building resilience and readiness while keeping teams connected through virtual challenges.

In late 2019, 4empowerment was awarded a contract under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program to determine the feasibility of deploying the HealthCode wellness platform to help keep the military healthy and ready.

4empowerment teamed up with the Air Force’s Warrior Care Division of the Wounded Warrior Program based at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio to conduct the feasibility study and obtained input from airmen of all ranks, including active, reserve and National Guard as well as veterans, spouses and support services from the Pentagon and across U.S. bases in 14 states and Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

“In our study, we found this program has the potential to be used across the active U.S. military – including the National Guard, the reserves, veterans and military families — to stay fit and ready while battling loneliness and stress,’’ Amos said.

During the AFWERX showcase, 4empowerment and HealthCode will demonstrate the capabilities of the HealthCode platform to Air Force leadership and key military decision-makers and operators. A link to the virtual booth can be found here.

HealthCode is dedicated to empowering people to live healthier, happier lives free from chronic diseases through education and encouraging physical activity, promoting healthy eating habits, supporting the environment and cultivating community connections.

The HealthCode wellness platform has been successfully deployed in virtual challenges such as the Million Mile Month, Triathlon in a Month, Marathon in a Month and iResolve to raise awareness and help create a healthier, happier global community.

Both 4empowerment and HealthCode are based in Austin, Texas.

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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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Million Mile Month participants motivated to move more, felt more productive

In an era of state-at-home orders and social distancing, participants in Million Mile Month 2020 reported they were motivated to exercise more and felt more productive at work, according to survey results.

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 extended Million Mile Month through May 31 to provide an incentive for participants to maintain momentum.

INFOGRAPHIC Million Mile Month 2020

Here is a summary of a survey of Million Mile Month 2020 participants.

“When we launched Million Mile Month in 2014, our goal was to encourage people to move more and become more connected as a community. This year, when people around the world engaged in social distancing to slow the spread of COVID-19, it has been more important than ever to remain active and connected while battling stress,’’ said Steve Amos, CEO of the nonprofit HealthCode. “These survey results show we are making great strides in promoting active, healthy living in this challenging time.’’

HealthCode surveyed 240 participants April 30-May 1 on their progress. Of respondents,  86 percent reported the challenge motivated them to increase their exercise or physical activity, whether it was logging more miles, taking longer runs, engaging in activity more days a week or simply “getting off the couch in the first place,’’ according to the results of the Million Mile Month 2020 participant via Survey Monkey.

These numbers represent an increase over 2017’s results when 83 percent of reported they were motivated to exercise more, according to HealthCode.

“I am a critical care nurse and this challenge kept my mind off of work and allowed me to focus on fitness, mindfulness, and nature,’’ one participant reported.

In addition, 71 percent reported they felt more productive at work, compared to 65 percent in 2017, results showed.

“It just helped motivate me to stay accountable despite every obstacle in my way,’’ a Million Mile Month participant reported.

In addition, 82 percent of those surveyed said they felt better, which is an increase over 73 percent in 2017.  Of respondents, 54 percent reported they felt motivated to eat healthier, compared to 55 percent in 2017.

Several businesses and other organizations signed up for Million Mile Month to encourage their employees to remain active and healthy and the results show that commitment is paying off.

Survey results show 64 percent of respondents said participating in Million Mile Month increased their overall satisfaction with their company, compared to 57 percent in 2017. Also, 82 percent identified their company as supporting a healthy culture – an increase from 75 percent in 2017.

“I work in HR and have been really focused on providing ways for our employees to stay healthy and connected while working remote or staying socially distanced. Million Mile month provided a great program to help motivate employees and keep everyone connected about the leaderboard,’’ said one participant. “It’s also been great personally. My husband and I are both working remote at this time and we’ve been taking a mile walk together most days. It’s been fun to use that time to connect and to see the cumulative total on the leaderboards when I log those walks.’’

Amos said: “These results underscore that healthy employees are happy, productive employees. We are laying the groundwork for more virtual events this summer, including Triathlon-in-a-Month-in-Training in June and Triathlon in a Month in July to keep up the pace toward healthy lifestyles.’’

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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.’’

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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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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

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.

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