Participants can download the free Keep It Moving Challenge app to their mobile device to track activity, which can include dancing, aerobics, gardening, hiking — anything involving exertion.
Photo by Kali9, courtesy iStockphoto
Staying motivated at physical activity can be a challenge for many people — which is where APHA's Keep It Moving Challenge comes in.
Launched Jan. 1, the challenge helps people get revved up by tracking activity, inspiring progress and emphasizing teamwork. Participants track their activities and receive support throughout the three-and-a-half month challenge, which runs through April 12 — the final day of APHA's National Public Health Week.
“No matter your level of activity, this challenge can inspire you to be active,” Michelle Loosli, MS, APHA's director of Affiliate affairs, told The Nation's Health. “The friendly team atmosphere is my favorite part.”
Participants can download the free Keep It Moving Challenge app to their mobile device to track activity. As not everyone is a walker, the app recognizes activity spent doing aerobics, strengthening exercises, gardening, sports and more. A leaderboard keeps track of team progress while inspiring friendly competition.
Bonus points can be earned through the app. Besides logging activities, app users can engage in yoga sessions, listen to a curated Spotify playlist or engage in a group chat with teammates.
Last year, over 3,100 participants logged nearly 1.3 billion steps in the annual event, which was 3 million more than in 2024.
Among the 2025 participants was Obinna Olerbie, DrPH, MBBS, an assistant professor of health care management at California State University-Dominguez Hills. Olerbie's team, Xcell, was among the top teams last year.
“I make it a priority to exercise,” Olerbie told The Nation's Health. “I also like challenges and love to win.”
Keeping his small team motivated to stay active was part of his role as team leader. He sometimes offered advice about the importance of making a healthy lifestyle a priority.
“As public health specialists, we need to be examples for others,” Olerbie said. “We should practice what we preach. Physical exercise ensures healthy living.”
Marissa Whaler, a medical assistant at Santo Domingo Health Center on the Kewa Pueblo Reservation in New Mexico, was part of the 20-strong team last year called the Kewa Pueblo Health Corporation OPD. Despite being a working mother of three and full-time nursing student, Whaler still finds time most days for a 5 a.m. workout. Regular exercise helps her clear her mind, she said.
In addition to formal workouts, Whaler also participates in running events.
“Don't wait for motivation, create it,” Whaler told The Nation's Health. “Action comes first, motivation follows. Start by choosing a movement you enjoy: walking, dancing, stretching, gardening. It all counts.”
The activity challenge is part of National Public Health Week 2026, which has a theme of “Ready. Set. Action.” Activities during the April 6-12 celebration will be held in communities, on campuses, at health departments, online and beyond.
The official NPHW toolkit is available now with tips on organizing events, sample promotional language and social media shareables. Tools are available in English or Spanish.
For more information and to sign up for the Keep it Moving Challenge, visit www.nphw.org.
- Copyright The Nation’s Health, American Public Health Association
