Race Across the U.S. with this New Healthy Monday Program

We all know maintaining healthy habits can be challenging, whether you are starting a new routine, or finding exciting and novel ways to keep up your momentum. One way to make health-related goals more manageable, sustainable, and fun is to commit or recommit to your health on Mondays. By checking in with yourself every week, you can more easily stay on track and achieve your goals.

To support our community in achieving healthier lifestyles, the Syracuse University (SU) Lerner Center for Public Health Promotion has teamed up with DIEMlife to create a comprehensive Healthy Monday challenge. No matter your health goals –moving more, managing stress, eating healthier, or increasing social connection – we’ve got you covered!

The Healthy Monday Race Across the U.S. is a 12-week challenge on the DIEMlife mobile app and website, designed to encourage people to create and continue healthy habits. Through the platform, individuals accumulate virtual miles when they log healthy activities like exercising, eating healthy, and practicing stress management. The goal is to get you and your team from Syracuse, NY to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, CA by tracking your activities and engaging with friends. This challenge offers a supportive community to connect with peers and spark a little friendly competition from your fellow racers to keep you motivated, of course!

What is Healthy Monday?

Healthy Monday is the signature program of the Syracuse University Lerner Center, and a national public health initiative from The Monday Campaigns designed to prevent chronic disease by offering individuals and organizations a weekly prompt to start and sustain healthy behaviors. The bedrock of Healthy Monday is the Healthy Monday Refresh, a unique way to recommit to your health intentions, by starting each week with a healthy activity.

Why Monday?

Research shows that people view Monday as a day for a fresh start, and they are more likely to start diet and exercise programs, attempt to manage stress, and schedule doctor’s appointments on Monday than any other day. A Monday start helps you carry out your healthy intentions for the week. By intentionally beginning your week with a positive mindset, you can stay focused, productive, and energized throughout the week. The best part is, Monday is always around the corner, giving you a chance to recommit to a healthy habit every week. Using Monday as a tool for health can help maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

What is DIEMlife?

DIEMlife was born out of a mission to help communities thrive. DIEMlife offers an integrated online platform and free mobile app to help members reach their goals, build healthy habits, and connect with others who are equally keen to stay fit and focused. Through the app and website, users embark on ‘Quests®’ with all the tools they need to track progress, learn about local events, and connect with worthy causes.

How the Healthy Monday Race Across the U.S. Can Help Improve Your Wellbeing

Habits rely on a ‘cue’ for you to engage in a specific behavior. Typical cues include a certain time of day or day of the week. Using Monday as a cue to engage in a healthy behavior is an evidence-based way to create sustainable habits.

The Healthy Monday Race Across the U.S. is designed with the Monday cue in mind. By joining the DIEMlife community and this Quest®, you start the week with any number of healthy activities, and then keep it up throughout the rest of week. The Quest provides a welcoming platform for you to join or create a team, log your healthy activities, and track your progress, all while bettering your health. The best part? Not only will you generate momentum and begin to feel better, but you’ll have chances to win gift cards and prizes throughout the race.

The Healthy Monday Race Across the U.S. features weekly Healthy Monday tips as inspiration to move more, eat well, manage stress, and connect with others. Each healthy activity is associated with number of miles – the more you do, the further you get! The Quest also includes a leaderboard and interactive map to support your teammates and keep an eye on the competition. Share your progress “crossing the country” and cheer on your team members in the newsfeed and gallery.

We Support Organizations in Achieving Healthy People 2030 Objectives

Not only does the Healthy Monday Race support individuals in attaining healthy lifestyles, but it serves as a framework for organizations to revitalize employee health through the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Healthy People 2030 initiative. Healthy People identifies public health priorities to help individuals, organizations, and communities across the U.S. improve health and well-being. With over 300 Healthy People 2030 objectives to choose from, the Healthy Monday Race provides simple action steps organizations can take to achieve their company’s Healthy People 2030 objectives.

How to Sign Up for DIEMlife and Race Across the U.S.

1. Sign up for DIEMlife on the Website:

• Create your free DIEMlife account here.
• Verify your account with the PIN sent to your email address.
• Create your free account.

2. Sign up for DIEMlife via the Mobile App:

• Download the mobile app from the iOS (Apple) app storeor Android play store.
• Download the DIEMlife app.
• Create your free account.

3. Join the Healthy Monday Race Across the U.S.

• Create your DIEMlife account using the steps above.
• On mobile: Click on the magnifying glass in the top right corner of the screen. On web: Click on the three lines in top right corner of the screen.
• Search “Healthy Monday Race Across the US.”
• Click the yellow button that reads “Register.”
• Create a team or join an existing team.
• Follow the directions in the Quest (and have fun!)

For questions or more information about the Healthy Monday Race Across the U.S, contact:

Mary Kate Schutt, Program Coordinator