Fit2Be Cancer Free Challenge: Week 1 top steppers announced

Congratulations to the top steppers for the first week of the 2024 Fit2Be Cancer Free Challenge!

Note: Top steppers can't win the weekly prize twice.

The top steppers for Oct. 7-13 are:

Methodist Hospital/Methodist Women’s Hospital
Eric Beechy – 258,347 steps

Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital
Jessica Ottis – 179,977 steps

Methodist Fremont Health
Todd Cattlett – 130,083 steps

Methodist Physicians Clinic
Josh Harper – 162,242 steps

825 Building/Shared Service Systems/Nebraska Methodist College
Jessica Gill – 203,338 steps

Together, Methodist employees took 62,719,286 steps last week!

More on this year's challenge

It's not too late to join the American Cancer Society’s Fit2Be Cancer Free Challenge! This year's event is Oct. 7-27, with a goal for each participant to run or walk 60 miles during that time.

So lace up your shoes and join us to help reduce your cancer risk and raise funds for the Hope Lodge and the American Cancer Society!

How does it work?

When you join the 2024 Fit2Be Cancer Free Challenge, you’ll be competing against employees at your affiliate location. Each week, the top stepper at each affiliate will receive a prize. At the end of the challenge, each affiliate will also award a grand prize to its overall top stepper. Overall health system gold, silver and bronze winners will also be named. 

Participation in the challenge is voluntary. Be sure to check with your primary care provider prior to starting any exercise regimen or physical activity. 

How to join

• Download the MoveSpring app in the Apple iOS App Store and the Google Play Store, or click here to create your account online.
• Enter the Methodist code to join our challenge: Methodist2024
• Select your affiliate location and provide your employee ID number. 
  • Foundation employees should join their affiliate team. Example: Methodist Hospital Foundation employees should join the Methodist Hospital team.
• Create a username and profile.
• Connect your wearable and/or smart device via the MoveSpring app to your profile to automatically track your miles. 
• That’s it. You’re all set and ready to get moving!

Free gift pickup

Pending availability, the first 1,500 employees who register and participate in the challenge will receive free wireless Methodist earbuds! Stop by the appropriate location below to pick up your free gift! You will be asked to show proof that you're participating in this year’s challenge. Pending availability, gifts can be picked up Oct. 7-31 on a first come, first served basis at:

• 825 Building: Front desk
• Methodist Hospital: Administration
• Methodist Women’s Hospital: Administration
• Methodist Fremont Health: Front information desk
• Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital: Administration
• Methodist Physicians Clinic: Gifts will be distributed to participating clinic locations
• Nebraska Methodist College and Shared Services: Gifts will be sent directly to those locations

FAQ

Why is this challenge important? 

We know that nearly half of all cancer deaths are causes by risk factors like smoking, excess weight and physical inactivity. The Fit2Be Cancer Free Challenge is a virtual step-tracking fitness event that helps help promote cancer prevention. Through this friendly competition with your Methodist coworkers, we can take steps to live healthier and lower our cancer risk.

Do I need to list my unit/department/clinic location when I sign up? 

No. Please just provide your main affiliate location. 

Does it cost anything to participate? Do I have to raise funds? 

No. There is no cost to employees to join the challenge and there is no fundraising component. Methodist has already made a donation to the American Cancer Society on behalf of our staff. 

Do I have to download the MoveSpring app to participate? 

The MoveSpring app is required if you would like to sync a wearable or smart device. If you chose to enter data manually, you can do so at movespring.com throughout the challenge. 

Do I have to have a fitness tracker, smart watch or other device to connect to MoveSpring? 

No! Data can be entered manually at movespring.com throughout the challenge. 

What fitness trackers, smart watches and devices connect to MoveSpring?

MoveSpring is compatible with multiple smartwatches and devices. Click here to see a full list. 

How can I check my current steps?

A live leaderboard is available on the MoveSpring app so you can see how you match up to your coworkers. 

Is walking the only activity that counts toward the challenge? 

No! Your favorite activities can be converted to steps for the purposes of this challenge. For example, elliptical exercise converts to 203 steps per minute. So a 30-minute elliptical session equals 6,090 steps! Click here for a full list of challenge-specific conversions, or use the activity converter in the MoveSpring app for easy conversions! 

Are there tools for differently abled participants as well? 

Absolutely! Please see this chart to help with wheelchair conversion. It is recommended that differently abled participants enter their data manually vs. connecting a smart device. 

Help! My app isn't updating my steps. What do I do?

Make sure your data is syncing from your wearable device to the MoveSpring app. Learn more about syncing here, as it varies by the type of device you have.

Quick tip: many devices require you to open the device app first, then the MoveSpring app, to sync your data.