Emory employees are gearing up for the Move More Challenge, one of the largest wellness events ever held on the Emory campus. More than 5,500 employees have already registered for the challenge, which is open to both Emory University and Emory Healthcare employees,.

Registration closes on Sept. 14 and the eight-week challenge will take place Sept. 21 through Nov. 15.

“It’s easy to register,” says Dawn McMillian, wellness specialist with the Faculty Staff Assistance Program (FSAP). “Just go to the Move More website, read about the challenge and you can register right from there. We are very excited to have participants in over 35 Emory teams, but we want to encourage even more people to join the challenge. Our goal is to have at least 8,000 total participants.”

The Move More Challenge is unique in that it offers employees the opportunity to get a Fitbit at a reduced cost. A Fitbit is a wearable tracking device that measures steps, calories and more, depending on which device you select.

“Using the Fitbit really allows you to see how active you are each day and how you compare with others. It’s a great way to hold yourself and your teammates accountable,” explains McMillian.

Shelly Terrazas, director, program support at the Emory Global Health Institute, participated in the Move More pilot program last fall. “After seeing how much I moved or didn’t move throughout the day, I was able to consciously increase my movement over the challenge period which I’ve continued to maintain since," she says

To help people better understand the technology, Emory’s Wellness team has posted a recorded webinar on the Move More Challenge webpage. The webinar demonstrates how to install the Fitbit software, set up your Fitbit device and monitor your progress during the challenge.

“Increasing physical activity is one of the focus areas of the Healthy Emory initiative and the purpose of this challenge is to get Emory employees moving in a fun, participatory community-wide event,” McMillian says. “With the fall temperatures coming, it’s the perfect time to get outside and walk. We really just want people to have a good time, be an active part of their team, and move more.”

To register for the Move More Challenge, go to www.emory.edu/MoveMore.