Penn Wellness Challenge
Challenge Yourself to Make Healthy Changes!
The Penn Wellness Challenge has officially begun! Remember to track your nutrition and activity information each week. You can use the online tracking website or log your information manually.
If you’re looking for ways to incorporate more healthy habits in your life, enroll in the Penn Wellness Challenge. It’s free and open to all benefits-eligible Penn faculty and staff. Plus, it’ll lead to a new and healthier you.
What is the Penn Wellness Challenge?
The Penn Wellness Challenge is a creative, fun, and motivational wellness program to help you improve your health by making small, but effective changes to your lifestyle. It consists of eight weekly challenges that’ll teach you how to incorporate new, healthy behaviors into your daily routine. When you enroll in the Penn Wellness Challenge, you’ll receive:
- A welcome packet
- Access to the Penn Wellness Challenge tracking website, where you can record your daily nutrition and activities online and fill out short weekly surveys to help us gauge your overall health and wellbeing
- Small incentive gifts at the beginning and end of the program
- One entry into a raffle for each weekly challenge that you successfully complete and log
How Does the Penn Wellness Challenge Work?
Some basic information about the weekly challenges and what’s expected of you is posted here. You’ll also receive weekly emails with helpful and fun information to help you successfully complete each week’s challenge.
You’re responsible for recording your activity in a Food and Physical Activity Log (manually or online). You’ll be asked to complete and submit your log by the end of the program. For every challenge you successfully complete, you’ll be eligible for one of three raffle prizes. That means if you complete each challenge, you’ll have earned eight chances to win a prize!
You must register for the Penn Wellness Challenge and attend an orientation session to receive your welcome packet and get an overview of the program.
Why Should I Join the Penn Wellness Challenge?
Tracking your activities and food intake is important. It helps you become more aware of your body and can help you make lasting changes for healthier living. No matter what your goal—whether it’s increasing your fitness level, eating healthier foods or testing yourself with a new routine—the Penn Wellness Challenge will help you take an active role in your health. You’ll learn how to make small, healthy changes to your lifestyle that’ll make a big impact on your body (and mind) in the long run.
How Do I Register?
Contact Human Resources at to register for the Penn Wellness Challenge.
After you register, you’ll also be required to attend an orientation session to receive your welcome packet and an introduction to the program. The Penn Wellness Challenge will run from Monday, February 20–Sunday, April 15. You’re welcome to register for the program at any time. But in order to really benefit from the health challenges, you’re encouraged to register no later than week three.
When/Where Are Orientation Sessions?
Orientation sessions will take place on the following dates and times. Please come during the hours listed to pick up your welcome packet and discuss any questions you may have.
- Tuesday, February 14
10am–2pm
Business Services, 3401 Walnut Street, 4th Floor Conference Room
- Wednesday, February 15
10am–2pm
Wharton, 213 Steinberg-Dietrich Hall, 3620 Locust Walk
- Thursday, February 16
10am–2pm
School of Nursing, 418 Curie Blvd., Fagin Hall, Lower Level Lobby
Click here to register. Or contact Suzanne Smith at 215-898-5116 or if you’re unable to attend an orientation session.
How Do I Track My Progress?
You can track your progress online or manually. No matter which method you use, all information must be submitted by Friday, April 20.
- Online tracking
The Penn Wellness Challenge tracking website makes it easy for you to record your efforts online and monitor your progress from one day to the next. You’ll be given access to the tracking website once you register for the program. You can submit your activity log on a weekly basis or at the end of the program.
Your results will be recorded by a third party administrator and only accessible by Suzanne Smith, MS, CHES, Penn’s Health Promotion Program Administrator.
- Manual tracking
If you prefer not to track your data online, you can monitor your progress manually using a tracking booklet you’ll receive in your welcome packet when you register. You can also download the tracking booklet. Once you complete your activity log, you can send it to Suzanne Smith via the following ways:
1) Scan and email it to
2) Print and mail it to 3401 Walnut Street, Suite 527A
3) Fax it to 215-573-2216
Do I Have to Get Weighed?
Weighing in is optional. But if you’ve been trying to follow a weight loss plan, weighing in may help you stay on track with your goals.
Can I Win Prizes?
You’ll earn one entry into a raffle for each
weekly challenge you successfully complete. You must submit your activity log by Friday, April 20 to be eligible for the raffle. Winners will be announced during the week of April 23.
Questions?
For more information, contact Human Resources at 215-898-5116 or
.