Physical activity is an important part of a healthier and more energetic lifestyle. Take steps to improve your health by participating in the Barron County 10,000 Steps Challenge. This heart-healthy event will start on Valentines Day, February 14th. Participants are encouraged to wear step counters (pedometers) to track daily step totals during the six-week program. The goal is to add 2000 extra steps to your daily activities, eventually working up to a total of 10,000 steps each day. To increase the fun and motivation, a trophy will be awarded to the Barron County community that has the highest percentage of participants that reach these goals. 

To join the Barron County 10,000 Steps Challenge:

1. Go to www.americaonthemove.org
2. Click “Join Now”
3. Select “Individual Registration”
4. Use the registration code for your community:

                RCU100828 for Cumberland
                RBA101150 for Barron
                RCA101129 for Cameron
                RCH101199 for Chetek
                RPR10115 for Prairie Farm
                RRI101829 for Rice Lake (third symbol is a capital letter I)
                RTU101136 for Turtle Lake

1. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete your registration. Select 2/14/2008 as your start date.
2. Starting February 14th, login on the America on the Move website and enter the total number of steps you take each day. America on the Move will calculate your baseline step count based on the average number of steps you take during the first three days of the program. You will be able to select a virtual trail to follow during the challenge and will have access to other fun tips and tools.

 
The Barron County 10,000 Steps Challenge is open to all ages. There is no cost to register or participate. Pedometers are recommended; however, America on the Move will convert minutes of activity to steps for people that don’t have a pedometer and for physical activities that don’t involve stepping, such as skiing and skating. Pedometers can be purchased for $5 at Cumberland Memorial Hospital, Lakeview Medical Center, or Luther Midelfort Northland while supplies last. Paper tracking forms will also be available for those that do not have access to the internet.

The Barron County 10,000 Steps Challenge is sponsored by Healthier Cumberland, Barron County Health Department, Lakeview Medical Center, Cumberland Memorial Hospital, and Luther Midelfort Northland. We hope that this will be a challenge in which everyone wins with better health and more energy. More information on the challenge can be found at www.healthiercumberland.org or by calling Barron County Public Health at 715-537-6580.