FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
This information is available by clicking on the FAQ link at the website.
Note: The highlighted areas indicate customizable content based on your program length.
WHAT IS WALKTOBER?
October is ideal for walking. The temperatures are moderate and colors are spectacular, vacations are
over, and the holidays haven’t arrived. Making the most of this great season, Walktober is a [31-day, 42day, or 56-day] walking campaign designed to:
—— Guide you through the benefits of walking
—— Help you incorporate walking into your daily routine
—— Dramatically boost the amount you walk
—— Inspire you to make walking a priority — in October and beyond.
It’s a perfect time to get into a regular walking routine that will carry you right through winter, then last a lifetime.
HOW DO I MOVE ALONG THE TRAIL?
Each day you record [exercise minutes or steps], you move to the next location on the trail. As you progress
you’ll see spectacular fall images and vivid descriptions of that autumn hot spot. It’s a fun, effective way to
track and increase physical activity.
WHAT IS THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM?
Your goal is to accumulate at least [20 leaves (31-day program), 30 leaves (42-day program), or 40 days (56day program)] by recording exercise minutes or steps:
30-44 minutes (6000-7999 steps) = Red
45-59 minutes (8000-9999 steps) = Orange
60+ minutes (10,000+ steps) = Gold.
Any combination of red, orange, or gold leaves counts toward your goal. If you’re just starting out, shoot
for [20, 30, 40] red leaves; if you’re already active, aim higher. The idea is to develop a consistent
walking routine.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
Everyone. Whether you’re just beginning your walking habit or are already an avid walker, Walktober gives
you simple, motivating tools to track your progress and see results. Consistency is the key — committing
to walk at least 5 days a week can help you reach your goal and inspire you to step it up… even after the
program is over.
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IF I HAVE A DISABILITY CAN I STILL PARTICIPATE IN WALKTOBER?
Yes; Walktober’s self-paced, flexible design fits people of all abilities. If walking isn’t possible, be as
active as you can in whatever ways you enjoy. If you’re unsure which activities are best, check with your
healthcare provider. The National Center on Health, Physical Activity, and Disability offers specific ideas.
The Steps Conversion Chart is helpful for equivalents. If your activity isn’t listed, estimate your steps
based on the closest in intensity (light, moderate, vigorous). And an odometer can gauge distance in a
wheelchair; 5 miles of pushing generally equals 10,000 steps (2000 steps/mile).
HOW DO[ES] THE ACTIVITY TRACKER[S] SYNC TO MY WALKTOBER
ACCOUNT?
Put it on in the morning, then each time you sync [the Fitbit® with your computer [or] Jawbone™ with the
UP app] and log into your Walktober account, you can see your steps add up. Walktober makes tracking
easy and fun. For more information, read the FAQs (Fitbit [and] Jawbone) and Getting Started PDF (Fitbit
[and] Jawbone).
WHAT IF I FORGET TO WEAR MY FITBIT® OR JUST WANT TO MANUALLY
ENTER MY ACTIVITY?
As long as your Walktober account is synced with your Fitbit account, your activity — whether you use a
device or track manually — will transfer between. To manually record data:
1. Go to the Home page.
2. Under Log Progress, click Edit (by Steps), then enter the number of steps, and click Save.
3. To revert back to Fitbit tracking, click Use Fitbit Steps.
IF I’M DOING AN ACTIVITY THAT’S NOT ACCURATELY MEASURED WITH A
TRACKER — LIKE CYCLING — HOW DO I COUNT STEPS?
Refer to the Steps Conversion Chart; multiply the number listed by total minutes.
Note: Steps/minutes are estimates, not actual step rates. Actual steps/minutes depend on the specific
activity, leg and stride length as well as fitness level. For nonstop activities, step equivalents are
determined by the metabolic cost (higher intensity = more steps/minute).
HOW CAN I PREPARE FOR SUCCESS IN WALKTOBER?
You can increase your odds of lasting success by gearing up for lifestyle change right now. To get
started, check out Great Ways to Win at Wellness.
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WHAT IS SOLE MATES?
Sole Mates is a buddy feature where you can invite others to a friendly challenge or to offer support as
they follow your progress. Your teammates are automatically your Sole Mates.
WHAT IS THE WALKING WALL?
With this interactive message board, you can inspire others, stay motivated, or simply view the posts of
the Walktober fitness expert.
HOW IS 60 MINUTES THE SAME AS 10,000 STEPS?
Technically, it isn’t. But to make dedicated exercise minutes and all-day steps the same points, Walktober
uses an average person’s typical movement pattern. For example, after wearing a step tracker throughout
the day, you might accumulate 3500 steps by the time you get home — without any dedicated exercise
minutes. So to get in another 6500 steps, you head out for a 40-minute walk (about 3.25 miles for roughly
2000 steps/mile). Thus, 60 minutes approximately equals 10,000 steps or 5 miles.
WHY DOES SOMEONE WHO WALKS FOR 30 MINUTES GET THE SAME CREDIT
AS SOMEONE WHO RUNS HARD FOR 30 MINUTES?
Walktober is designed to encourage people to get out there and move. Some will choose a lower-intensity
activity. Others will be training for their tenth race. The idea is to challenge yourself — no matter how fit
you are — while practicing healthy habits and having fun.
HOW DOES THE TEAM COMPETITION WORK?
Registration opens (date); you may begin recording (date). All teams must be formed by (date). The team
competition will end (date), but you may update activity until the team scores freeze on (date).
Team participation reinforces healthy habits with a fun, friendly competition that emphasizes the overall
goal of Walktober. Scores are based on the team’s average leaf points, not team total. Each person’s
individual contribution affects the team score, so it’s best to form a team with those who will encourage
and support each other along the way.
DO I HAVE TO JOIN A TEAM OR CAN I GO IT ALONE?
Team participation is optional. Although you can participate on your own, Walktober is even more fun
when you’re on a team. And numerous studies show that you’re more likely to stick with healthy habits
when supported by others.
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CAN ANYONE START A TEAM?
Yes. After you register, click the Team link to get started and invite others to join. The person who starts
the team is the team leader. Remember, teams consist of 4-5 members — yourself plus 3-4 others. Your
team becomes official when at least 3 people accept the team leader’s invitation.
MUST ALL TEAMS HAVE 4-5 MEMBERS?
Yes. A team is not official unless there are 4-5 members. Anyone who isn’t on an official team can still
participate in Walktober as an individual, but will not be part of the team competition.
DO TEAM LEADERS HAVE ANY SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES?
To make sure at least 3 others register and accept the invitation by (date) to form an official team. Other
than that, all team members are responsible for recording their own activity as well as encouraging and
supporting each other in the Walktober experience. To have your activity count toward your team’s score,
you must log by (date).
DO ALL TEAM MEMBERS HAVE TO BE IN THE SAME LOCATION?
No. Since it’s an online program, your teammates can be across the hall or around the world. There are
some advantages to having teammates close by, but the most important thing is to recruit individuals
who are supportive and motivated to be physically active.
WHAT OTHER RESOURCES CAN I ACCESS IN WALKTOBER?
We’ve compiled the best fitness and well-being websites on the Resources page. Check out the Fall
Festivals on the map for information on great events to walk. Plus we’ve gathered some fun fall activities
for you and your family to enjoy together; look for the link at the bottom of each website page.
WHAT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROGRAM?
Use the Contact link at the bottom of each website page. A Walktober representative will respond within 1
business day.
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