White Plains Hospital Invites Area Workplaces To Join Third Annual Ex-STEP-tional Team Walking Challenge

Due to the overwhelming success of its Ex-STEP-tional Walking Challenge, first started in 2015, White Plains Hospital once again encourages area workplaces to promote employee health by joining the Hospital’s free community-wide walking competition from May 1-26, 2017. Registration is now open for the 2017 Ex-STEP-tional Challenge through May 1st at: www.wphospital.org/exsteptional

Walking is the perfect, low impact exercise ideal for all ages. A minimum of 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week is recommended for optimal health. Ex-STEP-tional makes walking fun by turning it into a communal activity with a competitive element.

To get started, employers should recruit a team (or teams) of five co-workers. Each team will track their steps as they compete with others in the community. To support their efforts, White Plains Hospital will provide free pedometers, educational videos and a website where employees can record their steps online. Teams can earn special prizes on a weekly basis during the competition. The team that accumulates the highest number of steps from May 1- 26 wins. Winning individuals and teams will be recognized at an awards luncheon on June 22 at White Plains Hospital.

In 2016 the Ex-STEP-tional challenge drew a record 700 steppers from 144 teams, including the City of White Plains led by Mayor Thomas Roach, The Journal News, Arch Capital, the White Plains Library, People’s United Bank and PKF O’Connor Davies. The White Plains School District alone had more than 50 participating teams in 2016. “We applaud the Hospital for its wellness efforts to get us moving. We hope to uphold our reputation as the employer with the greatest number of teams,” said Michele Schoenfeld, White Plains City School District Representative.

Pedometers can be picked up between April 7 and April 28 at four convenient White Plains Hospital locations: White Plains Hospital (41 East Post Road, White Plains); White Plains Hospital Medical and Wellness (99 Business Park Drive, Armonk); White Plains Hospital Women’s Imaging Center at Rye Brook (90 South Ridge Street, Rye Brook); or White Plains Hospital Physician Associates in New Rochelle (1296 North Avenue in the Wykagyl Shopping Center).

White Plains Hospital Orthopedic Surgeon Daniel Markowicz, MD will once again serve as the Physician Champion for the event. According to Dr. Markowicz, “The Ex-STEP-tional challenge is an excellent way for people to fit daily exercise into their busy lives. The benefits of walking on physical health, as well as weight management and stress relaxation are well known. I myself will be leading by example and stepping it up this spring!”

Participants are encouraged to post photos and updates on their progress on social media (Twitter, Facebook, etc.) using the hashtag #wphexsteptional.