Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Shape Up Texas Health Challenge?
The Shape Up Texas Health Challenge is a fun, team-based exercise, pedometer steps, and weight loss competition available to all employees.
When will it take place?
Registration begins on May 18 and runs until June 7. The competition begins on Tuesday, June 15 and ends on September 6. The total length of the competition is 12 weeks, organized into 6 rounds that each last 2 weeks.
What is the cost?
The program is free for all employees!
What’s in it for me?
Besides the reward of good health, the fun of challenging yourself and co-workers, and the satisfaction of meeting your personal goals – you’ll receive a welcome package that includes a high-quality pedometer, weekly newsletters with fitness tips, and access to a robust competition tracking website. And, all employees who complete the 12-week competition will receive a duffle bag.
How do I sign up?
If you would like to be a Team Captain click on the "Sign Up" button. If you would like to be a member of a team, a Team Captain can invite you or you can visit the online Team Forum to connect with other colleagues.
What do I get when I register?
We’ll ship you a welcome package that includes a digital pedometer and printed competition logbook—tools that will help you succeed.
When/Where/How will the welcome packages arrive?
Your welcome package will be shipped directly to your specified mailing address and should arrive within 5 business days from the date of your registration.
When is the last day to register?
Participants can register for the program through June 7.
Do I need a computer to participate?
No! Only Team Captains need access to a computer. If you want to join, you can ask a Team Captain to sign you up and log your results online at the end of each round. You also have the option to sign up and submit your results by calling our participant support line at 1-877-364-0807.
What are the responsibilities of the Team Captain?
Being a Team Captain is easier than you think! The Captain’s chief responsibility is to recruit the team (at least 5 members). Once the competition begins, the Captain can also help motivate team members and ensure that they report results on time. The Captain will also help log results for those without access to a computer.
How many people can be on my team?
You can have 5-11 people per team, including the Team Captain. The total number of people on each team cannot exceed 11.
What if I can’t find 4 other people who want to be on my team?
You can connect with other participating colleagues using the online Team Forum.
What are the competition divisions?
There are three divisions in this competition: weight loss, exercise minutes, and pedometer steps. Each participant can select to participate in 1, 2, or all 3 divisions. If at least 5 people on a team select to participate in a particular division, then that team will be included in the team standings for that division. If less than 5 people select a division, the team will not be included in the team standings, however each team member can still track personal progress in that division. For example, if 5 people on your team select pedometer steps, then your team will qualify for the pedometer steps team standings. If only 4 people on your team select exercise minutes, then your team will not be included in the exercise minutes team standings.
What if less than 5 people on my team choose a particular division?
Let’s say only 4 people on your team choose to participate in the exercise minutes division. Your team will not be included in the team standings for the exercise minutes division. However, the 4 members who selected exercise minutes will still be able to set exercise goals and keep track of their own personal exercise progress online.
Do I have to enter the weight loss category?
No. There are three divisions in this competition: weight loss, exercise minutes, and pedometer steps. You may enter one, two, or all three divisions.
Can I change which competition divisions I want to participate in?
You can change your selected competition divisions any time until the end of the first round (a round is 2 weeks) of the competition by using the online system or by calling our participant support line. After the first round, your selections will be fixed and cannot be changed.
How do I report my progress?
You keep track of your own progress using the printed competition logbook or by entering your results online daily. Every two weeks, at the end of each round of the competition, we will send you an email reminder to log into our online system to update your progress. If you wish, you may give your log sheet to your Team Captain to be entered on your behalf, or you can call the Shape Up Texas Health participant support line.
Will other people be able to see my weight online?
Absolutely not! Your individual weight will NEVER be available to anyone but yourself. We know this is a sensitive topic, so we protect your privacy.
Do I need to report my weight to my team captain if I do not have access to a computer?
No. Team Captains will know your weight only if you decide to share that information. You have the option to report your progress by calling our participant support line if you do not have access to a computer.
What counts as “exercise”?
Exercise is defined as moderate intensity activity. Any activity in which you are increasing your heart rate and breathing rate counts. This includes brisk walking, jogging, spinning, running, swimming, weight lifting, other sports, etc.
Can I wear my pedometer while I am exercising?
Wear your pedometer all day, every day! Any steps that you track on your pedometer can count toward your total pedometer steps, even if you are also counting that time toward your exercise minutes total. So when you are running on the treadmill at the gym, make sure you are wearing your pedometers.
What do I do if I lose my pedometer or it stops working?
Call toll free 1-877-364-0807 to order a new pedometer.
How are team standings calculated?
There are three separate team standings—one for each competition division. Team standings are based on cumulative results and are calculated as average weight loss percentage, average exercise minutes, and average pedometer steps per participating team member. Your team’s average for a specific division will be calculated based on the number of team members actually competing in that division, not the total number of members on your team.
When will team standings be published?
Updated team standings will be published once at the end of each round (a round is 2 weeks) of the competition. Team standings will not change in between rounds.
If I set personal goals online, does that affect my standing in the competition?
No. Goal-setting is designed to help you succeed in the program. Your goals will have no impact on your team’s standing.
How do you ensure participants report accurate information?
This campaign can only be successful by building a community with a strong spirit of trust and collaboration. To that end, we rely on the honor system to ensure that all progress reported by participants is accurate. It is fun to compete and win, but the real success in this campaign comes from being honest with ourselves and legitimately reaching the ambitious goals that we set.