The following are some of the most frequently asked questions to help you understand the program.
- What are the program requirements?
- Does each player need an email address?
- How do I enter my steps and servings?
- Can I change my weight or goal weight?
- Why do you need to know my weight?
- Is my information private?
- What is a pedometer?
- What is a Balance Book?
- What if I make a mistake entering my information?
- What if I forget to enter my steps or servings?
- How much weight is healthy to lose?
- How do I set a healthy goal?
- Can I Resend Invites to join a Healthy Competition?
- How do I view Healthy Competition Results?
What are the program requirements?
The program is offered FREE and is designed to be web-based so it does require internet access and an individual email account.
Does each player need an email address?
Yes. Each user needs to have an individual email account. The users email account is part of the authentication process to provide them access to their own personalized web page where they track their steps, servings and progress. It is also a key part of how we identify them and allow them to start or join a Healthy Competition(s).
Although web access can be through a shared computer, the program can't be used without each user having an individual email account. Email is how users are invited to participate and get registered to access the Individual and Healthy Competition features. We require each user to have an individual email account to protect their personal information, which is a key part of the program.
Some organizations have opted to put a computer in their break room for tracking purposes, but this still requires each user to have an individual email account. Other organizations have elected to launch the program at their sites where the majority of the staff is equipped with email.
NOTE: The email account doesn't have to be through work, it can be a personal email account. You may have to limit your competition to those users who do have email. Unfortunately this excludes users without email, an alternative is to have them track there progress and incorporate it into the final standings manually.
How do I enter my steps and servings?
Log-in then select “Enter Daily Info” from the menu to enter your daily steps and fruit/vegetable servings. We recommend you do this every day, or at least once a week, if that better fits your schedule. If you prefer, you can jot down your steps and servings in our Balance Book and sign in to the Web site once a week to transfer your results.
A pedometer is one of the easiest ways to track your steps.
Can I change my weight or goal weight?
Yes. Select "Edit My Profile" from the menu to update your weight or weight-loss goals.
Why do you need to know my weight?
For most of us, weight is a touchy subject, but it is important when outlining a safe and effective weight-loss program. Knowing your weight will help us customize the program to your personal goals.
Is my information private?
Your weight and weight-loss goals are completely confidential and will not be shared with anyone. If you participate in a team challenge, your team, Team Captain and League Leader will only see the number of steps and fruit/vegetable servings you record. For more information, please read our Privacy Policy.
What is a pedometer?
A pedometer is a small electronic device usually worn on the belt that counts every step a person takes. According to the Surgeon General, the average person should engage in at least thirty minutes of physical activity every day.
A pedometer is one of the easiest ways to track your steps.
What is a Balance Book?
The Balance Book is a free logbook that helps you keep track of your daily steps and servings of fruits and vegetables. Download a Balance Book.
What if I make a mistake entering my information?
If you make a mistake entering your number of steps or servings, the "Edit Daily Info" page allows you to make edits to your last 17 days. If further assistance is needed, please refer the entry error to your Team Captain. The Team Captain can request assistance from the League Leader to edit your steps and servings*.
* NOTE: Your individual weight/BMI remains private and cannot be viewed by others.
What if I forget to enter my steps or servings?
If you miss entering information for a few days, the next time you log in the Web site will prompt you to record information for the days you missed.
How much weight is healthy to lose?
Safe, healthy weight loss is a gradual process. You should expect to lose no more than 1-2 lbs. per week. Unlike fad diets, which promise fast weight loss and can be dangerous, Step Up helps you create healthier habits, which will help you lose weight gradually and maintain your loss.
How do I set a healthy goal?
- Make your goal behavior-oriented instead of outcome-oriented: "I will walk for 30 minutes five days a week" instead of "I will lose 10 pounds."
- Make your goal measurable: "I will eat breakfast five days a week."
- Set a target date: "I will eat one extra serving of vegetables every night for one month." Then re-evaluate to see how or if you still need to work on this goal.
- Post your goals where you'll see them every day: on your refrigerator, computer screen, calendar, or mirror.
- Record your progress.
It is better to lose weight gradually so the body can adjust to maintain the loss. A weight loss of less than 2 pounds per week is best. Permanent fat loss requires patience. It is not healthy to lose weight in 5 months that may have taken 5 years to put on.
| Top |Can I Resend Invites to join a Healthy Competition?
Yes. Should a user delete the original invite or not receive it, you can simply resend their invite.
- Go to the Healthy Competition page
- Select your League from the "View My League" dropdown menu
- Then under your League Tools select "Add a Team"
- Enter the email address of the person you want to re-invite to be a team captain, and click "Add Team"
- The system will recognize the user is being re-invited and resend the invitation.
- Go to the Healthy Competition page
- Select your Team from the "View My Team" dropdown menu
- Then under your Captains Tools select "Add More People"
- Enter the email address of the person you want to re-invite to be a team member, and click "Add More People"
- The system will recognize the user is being re-invited and resend the invitation.
How do I view Healthy Competition Results?
You can view Healthy Competition Results in several ways
Under your "League Tools" select the League Ranking button, which launches a new window with your Healthy Competition results. This allows you to view results for each week of the competition.
Team Captains and League Leaders can also view results by using the "View Team Input" (Team Captains) or "Edit Team Input" (League Leaders) buttons. Then click on the "Export to Excel" button to save the information you select to an Excel File.