W.O.W. Frequently Asked Questions

Registration Questions

Participant Questions

General Questions



Registration Questions

How much does participation in the W.O.W. challenge cost?

  • It's free! While supplies last, we will provide each participant with one pedometer and one tracking log. The rest is simply access to the internet.

How long is the W.O.W. Challenge?

  • The W.O.W. Challenge takes place over 12 weeks.

When does the W.O.W. Challenge start and end?

  • The W.O.W. Challenge begins on Sunday, May 8, 2005 and ends on July 30, 2005.

What is a virtual course?

  • A virtual course is a course that is on the internet. In our case, it is across Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico. At the WOW challenge your marker will be in Louisiana. As you log your steps, your marker will move the appropriate distance along the course. This will happen each week until you have reached New Mexico and completed the course!

How did you calculate the number of steps between each city?

  • On average, there are 2,000 steps in a mile. Using a straight line between the city (as the crow flies), the number of steps between each city were calculated.

Can I have more than one girl or woman on my Intergenerational Team?

  • Unfortunately no, BUT we encourage participation of as many people as possible.  Teams should be composed of one woman and one girl. However, if there is more interest among your family or friends please consider teaming them up with another girl/woman or suggesting they register as a W.O.W. Individual Participant.

Can we have more than two people on a Two-Person team?

  • Unfortunately, teams are limited to two members. The virtual course was designed so that two people (together) can walk the entire course in 12 weeks. Should you know of more women or girls who are interested in participating in the W.O.W. Challenge, please encourage them to sign up as individuals or form additional two person teams.

What if a girl younger than 9 years old wants to participate in the W.O.W. Girl/Woman Intergenerational Team?

  • As part of the challenge, participants will be receiving motivational emails as well as health information. The health information for girls is targeted to those 9 years of age and older. We are willing to entertain exceptions to the guideline. Please email region6wow@mailplus.wisc.edu for consideration.

Can boys and men participate?

  • That's terrific!  Boys and men are welcome to register as a W.O.W. Individual Participant. Please note that the email messages with valuable health information are geared towards women and girls.

Participant Questions

When will I receive my pedometer and tracking log?

  • You will receive it approximately one week after you register for the Challenge.

Where can I purchase a pedometer?

  • You should be able to purchase a pedometer at a sporting goods store, a department store, or online.

What should I be tracking on my tracking log?

  • Please record the number of STEPS you take per day (not the number of miles!) in your tracking log.

Do I need to set the step length on my pedometer?

  • You do not need to set the step length on your pedometer. However, if you wish to know the number of miles you are walking each day, you will need to set the step length on your pedometer. For instructions, please refer to the Pedometer Troubleshooting Page.

How many steps must I take each day to reach the target city each week?

  • The course is designed that each member of a two person teams must walk approximately 10,000 steps per day to reach the target city each week.

I am going to be exercising or participating in an athletic event, etc. Should I leave my pedometer on?

  • Yes! You should be using the pedometer to measure all of your daily activities in order to get the most complete picture of your physical activity.

When should I take off my pedometer?

  • You should never wear your pedometer when it might get wet (in the shower, pool, etc.). If you don't plan on getting wet, please keep wearing it and recording your steps! And, of course, take it off when you go to bed!

What do I do if I have a problem with my pedometer?

Do I get to keep my pedometer?

  • Yes! The pedometer is yours to keep so that you can continue to track your progress long after the W.O.W. Challenge is over!

What can I do to increase my daily steps?

  • To increase the number of steps you take each day, you can:
    • Take the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator.
    • Park your car in a parking space farther from the store than you normally would.
    • Take your children, dogs, etc. for a long walk.

How do I submit my steps?

You can submit your steps by logging onto the Participant Log-In section of the W.O.W. website using your team/user name and password.

When should I submit my steps?

You should submit your steps each week starting May 15th. Don't worry, we'll remind you with weekly email messages.

Can I submit my team member's steps?

Yes! In fact, you will not receive the team progress report until both team members have entered her steps.

What if there is a period of time when I won't have access to the internet?

  • That's no problem.  If you are traveling or simply away from a computer there are two options: visit your local library to access the internet and submit your steps as usual OR wait until you get back to your computer and submit your steps then.

What if I forget to log my steps or my pedometer clears?

  • If you forget to log your steps for one day or your pedometer accidentally clears, please just estimate the number of steps you walked that day based on the number of steps you had been walking and your level of physical activity.

How do I change my contact information once I have registered?

  • You can update your contact information by logging onto the Participant Log-In section of the W.O.W. website using your team/user name and password.

General Questions

Who is sponsoring the W.O.W. Challenge?

What is National Women's Health Week?

  • National Women's Health Week is sponsored by the Office on Women's Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The goal of National Women's Health Week is to encourage women to take simple steps for a longer, healthier, and happier life. The Week runs from May 8-14, 2005, and kicks off with National Women's Check-Up Day on May 9, to encourage women to schedule an appointment with their doctor or other health care provider for an annual check-up and health screenings.

Where can I find out more about the W.O.W. Sunbelt Challenge in addition to what the website offers?