Walk to Health is a free walking program that encourages residents to increase their level of physical activity to reduce the risk of chronic disease and improve overall health. It is open to all residents of SWNPHD's nine county health district (SWNPHD covers Chase, Dundy, Frontier, Furnas, Hayes, Hitchcock, Keith, Perkins and Red Willow counties).
The team walking challenge kicks off each spring and continues for twelve weeks. It is a self motivated walking program in which you log your walking steps to track improvements. At the end of the twelve week program, an ending evaluation form is submitted. Incentives and prizes are awarded to those who achieve their goals. Additional smaller challenges occur throughout the year.
Ideas to Boost Your Physical Activity
Exercise Options Available by County
MoveSpring is our fitness challenge app that can be used on your phone or computer thanks to a partnership with Community Hospital's Wellness for Life program. You can link to a step tracker (like Fitbit) or enter steps manually. Sync or enter your steps daily, or minimum every 3 days.
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Sign Up Instructions: new users
Join easily in just 4 steps!
You can create your MoveSpring account on a computer at app.movespring.com or by downloading the MoveSpring app to your mobile phone via the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android). Follow these steps:
1. Select “I am new to MoveSpring”
2. Enter the org code: WALK2H (not case sensitive), then confirm Walk to Health as the organization.
3. Follow the steps to create your account and connect a device.
4. Once your MoveSpring account is created select Join a Challenge and join an upcoming challenge.
Sign Up Instructions: returning users
For our returning users it’s just as easy to join in the fun! Follow these instructions if you already have a MoveSpring account:
1. Open the MoveSpring app or website and sign into your account if not already logged in.
2. Select Join a Challenge and join an upcoming challenge or create your own.
Inactive users who have not completed a challenge for the last year are removed from MoveSpring. All are welcome to join the challenges again.
You Can Create Your Own Challenges!
You can create a mini-challenge to keep your team in shape in between group challenges. You will be able to choose from three challenge modes: Streak, Target and Leaderboard. Challenges can be up to 7 days long and include up to 10 participants. Be sure to friend your teammates and wellness besties in the MoveSpring app so you can invite them to do your challenge!
Click the Create challenge button at the bottom of your MoveSpring app and follow the instructions to create your challenge and invite friends.
For those who do not want to use the MoveSpring app, there are Paper Step Journals to track your steps and participate in challenges.
Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department continues to encourage residents to become more active and sustain a higher level of activity. Be sure to check with your medical provider prior to starting any new exercise program.
The Walk to Health program was developed in 2004 as a part of a NDHHS Block Grant promoting Healthy People 2010.
See Updated Goals for Healthy People 2030
Nutrition and Exercise Options by County -We have put together a list of all the options available in each county for nutrition and excercise. Many of them are low to no cost. Walk a new trail or get the family involved in a new activity.
Walk to Unlock Nebraska - This is a physical activity program where teams can track activities of their choice on a website, which move them down a trail, “unlocking” it and revealing facts about the state as progress is made.