Step Up to Better Health in 2019

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 11, 2018) — This month, many of us are thinking about holiday preparations and celebrations. We may also be looking forward to our goals for 2019. If one of your goals is to increase your physical activity, University of Kentucky Health and Wellness has not one, but two ways you can “kick off” the new year.

UK faculty, staff, retirees and spouses are invited to join the “Kick Off 2019 Step Challenge” beginning Jan.6. You will have the opportunity to sign up for either of two challenge options:

• 10-day streak: Take 9,000 steps every day from Jan. 6-15. This challenge does not average your steps — every day counts. The 10-day streak challenge will run from Jan. 6-15.
• Six-week challenge: Complete an average of 8,000 steps per day over six weeks to meet this challenge. Let 2019 be the year you commit to steady exercise! This challenge averages your steps, so if you have an off day, you can move a little more the next day. The six-week challenge will run from Jan. 6-Feb. 16.

During the challenge, it is important to sync your fitness tracker often (at least every 72 hours) for your steps to be recorded. The challenge platform, MoveSpring, is compatible with most fitness trackers. For more information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

If you meet your goal, you will win your choice of UK gear. Prizes are the same for both challenges. 

The “Kick Off 2019 Step Challenge” is the latest physical activity challenge since the program began in 2015. Many past challenge participants have used Fitbits offered as a benefit to UK employees.

“We want to keep something in front of our employees, retirees and spouses that reminds them that moving and exercise is important throughout the year,” said fitness specialist Carrie Davidson, who is part of the Health and Wellness team at UK Human Resources working to develop a culture of health on campus.

“One of our top priorities is to encourage our university community to commit to engaging in healthy behaviors. Adding a little bit more movement to your day is a great first step,” says Health and Wellness Manager Jody Ensman. “Something as simple as walking daily can help you to maintain a healthy weight, and prevent or manage many conditions, including heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.” 

Registration is open now for both of the challenge options. To sign up, log in to your UK Human Resources Health and Wellness dashboard. The deadline to sign up for the streak is Jan. 5; the deadline to sign up for the six-week challenge is Jan. 12.