Fort HealthCare, Fort Atkinson, has announced that it will be hosting its annual community wellness initiative, which, this year, is titled: “Rock the Walk 2023.”

According to information released by the healthcare institution, this year’s challenge, which centers around  a theme of building healthier habits, will begin Tuesday, Sept. 5, and run through Tuesday, Oct. 17.

Participants will be given access to a “wellness portal,” which will offer educational information, exercise trackers, meal plans, strength and cardio training examples, recipes, and other tools to support efforts in wellness building.

Participation in the fully digital program is free, according to the release. 

Those interested in participating are asked to register online through the Fort HealthCare website, using this link: www.FortHealthCare.com/RockTheWalk, by Tuesday, Aug. 15.

Once registered, the release states, participants will be invited to join one of the Rock the Walk teams, organized by either their employer or local municipality.

“Fort HealthCare shares a common goal with these local entities to motivate individuals to understand how their health impacts the overall community wellness,” the release noted.

A goal is to encourage area residents to be “more mindful about their health and physical activity,” the release stated.

As outlined in the release, “experts recommend at least 150 minutes of moderately intense physical activity per week, which equates to just over 20 minutes per day.”

The program is designed such that participants can log their activity using the program’s online tool, which also provides opportunities to compete for prizes, according to the release.

The release states: “Any form of exercise that gets the heart pumping and encourages movement is welcome, regardless of one’s current fitness level. From swimming, walking, and biking to weightlifting, aerobics, gardening, and more, every effort counts in contributing to a healthier community.”

For more information about participation in the program, including information about group sponsorships for organizations, visit the Fort HealthCare website.

Participants are encouraged to share their progress and positivity on social media using the hashtag #HealthiestHereWeCome and tagging @FortHealthCare and/or their team coalition or organization, the release states.