The ISU Wellness Works committee is challenging employees to get out and walk for its first campuswide pedometer challenge called Every Step for I-S-You.

Last semester, a pedometer challenge was put on for employees in the College of Human Sciences.

“We started out small and just incorporated it within the College of Human Sciences, but had such a great success with that that we decided to implement it universitywide this semester,” said Melissa Dean, senior in kinesiology and Wellness Works co-coordinator.

Dean said this year’s challenge is set to kick off Oct. 3 and will run for four weeks. Registration begins Monday and goes through Friday. The first 500 people to sign up will receive a free pedometer.

Jesse Truax, senior in kinesiology and Wellness Works co-coordinator, said interested faculty and employees need to send names of three to five team members, a team name, and the college and department they are associated with to [email protected], along with whether they need a pedometer, in order to register.

“With the help of a free pedometer, one will be able to recognize their step counts and see where their physical activity levels are at. If they realize they are not getting enough physical activity, they can make behavioral modifications to become a healthier person,” Truax said.

Dean said the goal of Every Step for I-S-You is for all employees to incorporate a more active and healthy lifestyle into their lives.

“We felt that there was a need of a walking challenge like this to get employees up and active throughout the day. We want all employees to incorporate an active and healthy lifestyle into their lives,” Dean said. “We’re hoping this challenges them to realize that walking really can be beneficial.”

To further encourage employees, Sally Barclay, clinician for food science and human nutrition, said prizes will be implemented this year.

“We are still seeking funding and working on prizes, but they will happen. Rec Services is providing us with some water bottles, and we may have some incentives along the way as well,” Barclay said.

Barclay, a participant herself, said she hopes employees will become more aware of their activity level for a healthier lifestyle.

“While the surgeon general has encouraged us to walk 10,000 steps a day, just increasing activity from your usual level can give you health benefits such as lowering blood pressure, reducing risk of heart disease and diabetes, reducing stress and helping you to sleep better,” Barclay said. “You don’t need to compete with anyone but yourself. Just try to improve on the number of steps you take each day. October is a beautiful month for walking.”