ASHLAND — Ashland University’s Christine Covert recently brought home the top individual spot at the Summer Health Action Council’s Step It Up Challenge.
The Step It Up Challenge was introduced by the Health Action Council to support wellness cultures in business organizations and schools. It is a turn-key program for employers.
Each year the Health Action Council coordinates challenges in the spring, summer, and fall. The challenges promote walking and other physical activities, making participation accessible to a range of fitness levels.
Covert logged an impressive 1,136,380 total steps, placing her in the top 15 steppers. Three individuals from the top 15 steppers were entered in a drawing and randomly selected to win a new Fitbit Charge 5.
The challenge consisted of 851 participants and 82 teams, with an impressive total step count of 155,736,176. Participants averaged 6,536 steps individually. By meeting their collective step goal, teams unlocked a $500 donation to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California.
The theme was Summer “Olympics” and Wellness Tips, with a variety of mini challenges that encouraged physical activity, healthy habits, stress relief, and fun.
“If everyone meets their personal fitness goal and creates healthy habits, all while winning fun prizes and raising money for a great cause, then everyone is a winner,” said Patty Starr, President & CEO of Health Action Council. “We’re incredibly proud of everyone who participated in this summer’s challenge.
“We’re so glad that the teams were able to once again reach the total step milestone, all while building a culture of wellness in the workplace and creating lasting memories.”
Covert was excited not only about her achievement, but also taking on this challenge and discovering how much it meant to her.
“Participating in the step challenge was not just a personal goal — it became a daily reminder of how much movement is already woven into my lifestyle,” Covert said.
Covert achieved her steps daily through the physical labor required by working on a horse farm. This has created a constant in-motion lifestyle for Covert.
Not only does she work on a horse farm, but she is active in cycling and running. She also intentionally chooses to walk around the Ashland University campus during work hours, rather than relying on a vehicle or golf cart.
She noted how beneficial those extra steps were, adding up quickly. They became a part of her routine that she now values even more.
While Covert was an individual winner, she did not participate alone. Her co-workers Morris and Steve helped to give the challenge added purpose.
“We pushed each other, set collective goals, and stayed motivated knowing we weren’t doing it alone,” Covert said.
The support and encouragement they were able to give each other was a huge contributing factor for them to keep that momentum going. She said how their department is a very close-knit environment and that camaraderie really showed throughout the challenge.
“I’m proud of how our team worked together and how I was able to stay consistent through both support and determination,” Covert said.
Her co-workers were not the only ones with her through the journey. Her daughter was also someone who cheered her on every step of the way.
Covert said this challenge has reminded her that movement doesn’t always have to be structured exercise. It can be something that is a part of your everyday, relaxing life.
She took countless walks with her dogs, which became a peaceful and productive way to sneak in extra steps.
“It has been a rewarding experience that I hope we continue in the future,” Covert said.