YOU'RE ALMOST HALFWAY THERE!

Captains, week 4 of Miles for Wellness Challenge 30 ends Sunday, October 20. This means your second check-in is soon. Please remind your team members to send their tracking sheets to you on Monday, October 21.

Once you have received your team's step counts, update your captain's spreadsheet and complete the bi-weekly reporting form. The deadline to complete the form is by end of day on Wednesday, October 23.

REPORTING ACCURATE STEPS

Please be sure your team members are accurately reporting their steps. If you are using a smartwatch, pedometer or step-counting app while taking part in physical activities you should not use the conversion function in the participant's spreadsheet to report those steps; they're already accounted for in the number of steps your watch or pedometer reports. For more help on filling out the participant's spreadsheet, find directions here.

COMPLETING THE CHECK-IN FORM

Below are some helpful tips for completing the bi-weekly submission form:

• If you cannot find your team name listed on the form, you can type it in.
• The step total you need to report can be found on your captain's spreadsheet in the blue box in the top right corner.
• Do not use commas or decimals in your step count.
• Do not attach your participant sheets; you should transfer all information to your captain's sheet and upload it when completing the bi-weekly check-in form.

Share the information below with your team as you make your way through each zoo along the Challenge's trail.

AUDUBON ZOO

Your steps may not physically take you to New Orleans, but you can get an inside look at this Louisiana landmark in the video here.

A CLOSER LOOK - AMERICAN ALLIGATOR

In Audubon Zoo's Louisiana Swamp exhibit, visitors can observe the American alligator, built for short bursts of speed to catch its prey, in the middle of the city. Take a page out of the large, semi-aquatic reptile's book and switch up your daily activity to enjoy the benefits of sprint training.

FORT WORTH ZOO

Explore the Fort Worth Zoo from afar through a virtual tour.

A CLOSER LOOK - FLAMINGOS

Fort Worth Zoo is home to three of the world's six flamingo species—Caribbean, Chilean and African flamingos. Research shows that flamingos exert more muscle power when standing on both feet, which is why they're so frequently seen standing—and even sleeping—on just one leg.

Sleeping on one leg seems unlikely, but you can perform a few balance exercises to improve your stability and log a few extra steps.

PHOENIX ZOO

While you're likely not physically visiting the Phoenix Zoo, you can still observe the newest residents of the largest privately owned nonprofit zoo in the United States. The zoo just debuted two 4-month-old lion cubs.

A CLOSER LOOK - AFRICAN LION

Did you know lions need very little water and usually get enough to stay hydrated from the meat they eat? Unlike lions, staying hydrated can be important when prioritizing physical activity in your day-to-day life. Find tips for staying hydrated in the previous Worksite Wellness lunch and learn here.

Lions are also the most social cats in the world, so let them inspire you to exercise with a friend!

BI-WEEKLY REPORTING FORM

Submit your team's steps for each check-in and the final deadline using the bi-weekly reporting form.

The reporting periods for each check-in are:

• Weeks 1-4: Monday, October 21-Wednesday, October 23
• Weeks 1-6: Monday, November 4-Wednesday, November 6
• Weeks 1-8 (Final Submission): Monday, November 18-Wednesday, November 20

TRAIL FACTS

Check out the points of interest guide here to learn more about each zoo your team will explore along this virtual adventure.

QUESTIONS? Email milesforwellness@nc.gov anytime.