Frequently Asked Questions
General
Q: Does it cost anything to participate in America On the Move?
A: No - the website is free to individuals and groups. You may elect to purchase a step counter for use with the program through the AOM Store, but it is not required. Groups can also use the self-administered group option to form a group online free of charge. To learn more, click the Group link on the home page before you log in.
Q: Is America On the Move a weight loss program?
A: America On the Move is a physical activity and healthful eating program. The first goal of the program is to prevent weight gain by encouraging participants to increase daily average activity level by 2000 steps and to make wiser food choices that help participants eat 100 fewer calories each day. If your goal is weight loss, you'll want to be more active and cut more calories.
Q: Will America On the Move share my individual information with sponsors or partners?
A: No. Your individual information is never shared with any third party without your written consent. Your information is compiled with all other America On the Move participants and viewed only in aggregate for evaluation purposes.
Q: I'm already active... can I still benefit from America On the Move?
A: Absolutely! America On the Move can help everyone regardless of your current physical activity level. AOM encourages all Americans to gain the health benefits of moving more and reducing calories through smarter food choices, regardless of current fitness level.
Q: Can I participate if I do other activities besides walking?
A: Yes. All movement counts when you are setting a goal to be more active. To record your activities by minutes, join the full access program. When you log in to your My AOM page, use the My Program tracking tools on the right side of your my AOM page. Click Minutes and an activity list will appear. Just select your activity from the drop down list and enter the number of minutes you have engaged in that activity.
Q: How can I participate in My Challenge Buddies?
A: Join the full access AOM program and log in to your My AOM page. Click on the My Challenge Buddies tab and then click the sign up button. Now you can view the progress of other AOM participants in your group that have opted in to this feature by submitting their email addresses.
The AOM Program
Q: I need to change my start date. How can I do this?
A: Once the start date is selected, it cannot be changed. Doing so would cause a error in program calculations and messaging. The program will ask you to confirm your start date after it has been selected, to help participants catch entry errors. If you accidentally pick the wrong date, you will need to re-register with a new email address and re-select your start date in this new account.
Q: I just started a new challenge and can't see all the activity I logged in my previous challenge. Where are all my past entries?
A: The Challenge Calendar will refresh at the start of each new 6-week Challenge. Your tracking history will be stored under the "Step Log History" link that is available on the right hand side of your My AOM page.
Q: I participated in an AOM Challenge last year, and I would like to start again this year. How can I re-start?
A: Members that have completed a Challenge previously, can start a new Challenge at anytime. After each Challenge is completed, you will be asked if you would like to start a new one. If you are not interested in starting a new challenge right away, select the option that allows you to begin later. Once this selection is made, you will return to your My AOM page. Once you are ready to start again, click on "Start a New 6-week Challenge" in the blue side bar. This will allow you to select a new trail and start tracking once again.
Q: I just registered and can't see my tracking tools? Where do I enter my steps/activity?
A: Your tracking tools to enter activity and steps will appear on the start date you selected. Prior to this date, you will not have access to these tools.
Q: How can I re-set my step total to start over?
A: AOM allows members to track their activity continuously, therefore keeping a constant tally of all steps that are entered into the website. It is not possible to delete this activity from your account. If you are interested in starting over, you will need to start a new account with another email address.
Q: How do I log my daily activity on the website?
A: There are two places that you can log your activity. Some people prefer to log their steps directly into the blue side bar on their My AOM page. After logging in, you'll see the step calculator under Record My Progress.
Logging Steps: If logging Steps, click on "Steps" and enter your total steps into the white entry box that reads "STEPS". (Member Tip: Any data entered into the Notes field will not be added to your total.) Once you've entered in your steps, select in the appropriate date for this entry. You can enter steps for today or any date within your current 6-week challenge. Once the date is selected, click "Save". The system will then navigate to your selected virtual trail to show you how your latest entry has moved you toward your goal.
Logging Minutes: If you would like to log activity, rather than steps, click on "Minutes". After choosing Minutes, a drop down list of activities will appear. Click on "Choose Activities" to see the list. Select an activity that best matches yours and enter the minutes you've engaged in this activity into the white entry box. Then, select the date for the entry you are making and click "Save" to save your data.
You can also log steps or activity by clicking on the "View Challenge Calendar" link under Record My Progress. Once you click on this option, a calendar for the month will display and you'll see a link to "log steps" for each day of your challenge. Click on "log steps" to activate the Activity and Steps menu. Once the menu loads, you can choose whether you'd like to enter steps or minutes of activity. Fill in the remaining fields to log your entries for each day of your challenge.
Q: I finished my trail and want to start another one. How do I start a new trail without transferring my current steps?
A: If you switch to a new trail, after completing your initial route within a 6-week challenge, all of your steps will automatically transfer to this new trail. The program will not allow you to start two trails from the beginning within the same challenge. However, once you've completed your 6-week evaluation, you can then start a new trail from the beginning.
Step Counters
Q: I'd like to get step counters for my family/group. Are there discounts on multiple purchases?
A: Yes. Take a moment to visit the Store and learn about our discounts for multiple purchases.
Q: How do I know if my step counter is working correctly?
A: Just test it by doing the following simple steps:
Clip your step counter to your waistband or belt, directly above your knee; be sure it's horizontal to the ground, not angled or dangling from your clothing
" Test for accuracy by setting the step counter to zero and walking 50 steps
" Check the display - if the reading is 45-55, your step counter is functioning properly; if it reads more or less, reposition the counter on your waist and check again.
" Once you've determined the proper step counter position, you're ready to begin tracking your steps.
Groups
Q: How do I get my organization started?
A: Click here to find out how to get started.
Q: I've already registered as an individual. Is there any way for me to now JOIN a group?
A: Yes. You'll need to get the group registration code from your Group Coordinator. Once you have the group registration code, log in to your My AOM page and click on "my profile" in the top right corner of the page. Click on RAOM and type in the group code you were given. Click on save.
Q: I've already registered as an individual. Is there a way for me to now START a group?
A: Yes. To start a group, login using your username and password. Click on "Start a Group" at the top of your My AOM homepage. This will bring you through a few registration questions to set up your group. Once you've registered your group, you will be given a unique Group Registration code. Pass this code out to your friends and family so that they can enter this code when they register for AOM. This unique Group Registration code will allow each member of your group to see group progress on the My Group Progress tab. You can also communicate with one another using the Challenge Buddies feature on your My AOM page.
Q: If I am part of one group, can I switch to another group?
A: Yes, click on My Profile on your My AOM page and then click on your previous group code. An entry box will open, where you can then enter you new group code. Submit these changes and click "Next". If this change was successful, you will now see your new group name in the top right hand corner of the page.
Q: I have employees or members that do not have access to the web/do not have emails. Are there ways to engage them with AOM's program options?
A: Yes. Self administered group-Quick Start Guides, available through the AOM store, provide paper tracking tools for people that do not have web access. Downloadable materials can also be printed and copied for distribution.
Q: How many participants should I expect?
A: If the pedometer is free, you can expect a 30% participation rate, add 15%-20% if an incentive is being offered. If there is a charge for the pedometer, you can expect a 15%-25% participation rate.
If you don't find the information you're looking for in these frequently asked questions and answers, click the Contact Us button at the bottom of the page.
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