Move it Cayman, the national movement challenge, kicked off on Sunday, 29 March, at the DG’s 5K Challenge to get the nation moving. The 12-week challenge, the first of a series of planned projects and initiatives that will make up the Step into Wellness campaign, aims to help individuals increase their movement no matter what level of activity they currently partake in.
To facilitate access to activities that promote movement, and to provide additional encouragement and incentive to those participating, the Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability (MHES) and Move it Cayman CIG partners has launched two key features for participants: the Move it Cayman activity calendar and the Move it Cayman challenge on the TeamFit app.
“The Move it Cayman activity calendar, which can be found on gov.ky/moveitcayman, has a list of both free and discounted activities that is being offered for the duration of the challenge by our partners,” explains Chief Nursing Officer Felicia McLean. “The calendar offers a variety of classes, webinars, consultations and other opportunities for movement, and is regularly being updated. We wanted to give people the opportunity to try something new that they may otherwise not have been able to access.”
The movement challenge is also being supported by the TeamFit app, which is made available to participants once they register for the challenge. The TeamFit app allows participants to form or join teams to help them motivate one another and earn points throughout the challenge. The app syncs to wearable devices, such as smartwatches, but participants without such devices can also input workouts manually. Premium features of the app, including guided workouts, meditation and sleep guidance, will be available to participants for the duration of the challenge. The challenge on the app begins on Sunday, 12 April.
“I am happy to see the uptake on the app,” adds Hon. Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, Minister for Health, Environment and Sustainability. “I see family teams, work teams, and even district teams. The app is a great way to connect with one another and to encourage participation. It will also give our Ministry team some invaluable information on engagement with the challenge so that we can learn how to improve on it next year. I encourage everyone to sign up for the challenge and get involved.”
“The challenge has provided us with a great opportunity to engage with staff in a different way,” states Chief Officer Tamara Ebanks. “While the calendar of events and the app provide staff with opportunities for movement they can do in their own time, as a Ministry we have created an opportunity for us to move as a team by carving out one hour per week for a staff walk. We will be checking in with the team to see how they feel about this at the 6 week and 12-week mark, but we are hopeful that this will be very beneficial for both their physical and mental health.”
Registration for the challenge is still open. “It is not too late to sign up!” adds Mrs. McLean. “Our generous private sponsors have made it possible for us to offer weekly prizes for individuals to help keep people engaged and motivated, so stay tuned to our social channels to learn more on how to enter. We cannot wait to see which businesses and organisations will earn the shout-out for the highest staff engagement and which school will be crowned the most consistent in getting students active week after week. We want people to feel inspired and we’re excited to celebrate everyone who takes part. Movement is for everyone, at all ages!”
To join the Move it Cayman challenge, or for more information, log on to www.gov.ky/moveitcayman.