FAQ

What is HealthTrails?

HealthTrails is a wellness program that draws on the excitement of seeing and learning about new places and people by tracing famous trails around the world.

How does it work?

Each time you record a HealthTrails activity you move along the trail. As you progress, you’ll see great images and vivid descriptions of that location as if you’re right there. It’s a fun, effective way to track health habits because you actually see your progress.

What is the goal of the program?

Your goal is to travel 300+ virtual miles along the trails — you have 6 to choose from (with distances of 240-2663 miles). If you record at least 7,000 steps a day/5 days a week, 5 produce servings a day/5 days a week, plus 7-9 hours of sleep a night/5 nights a week, you’ll reach 300 miles easily. And you can add to your mileage by taking the daily Tip Test. Aim for at least 50 miles a week to achieve the goal in 6 weeks.

What health practices count toward the goal?

• Steps — Aim for 7,000 steps or more a day for the greatest health benefits, including more energy, better mood, weight control, and lower risk for many chronic conditions. You may record as many steps as you’d like, but to encourage consistency a maximum of 15,000 steps a day will count toward your movement on the trail.

• Produce servings — Choose from a variety of colors to get the most produce has to offer — vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phytonutrients — for better health. Aim for 5 or more produce servings (5+ cups) a day, 5 days a week. What’s a serving? You may record as many produce servings as you’d like, but to encourage consistency a maximum of 9 a day will count toward your movement on the trail.

• Sleep — Adults typically need 7-9 hours of sleep to avoid accumulating sleep debt. Quality sleep not only helps you feel revived when you wake, but also can improve memory and recall, regulate appetite and the release of certain hormones, and protect/repair muscles as well as your immune system. (1 sleep session of 7-9 hours will count toward your movement on the trail).

Who can participate?

HealthTrails is available to all U.S. and Canada based Chevron employees. Contractors may gain access by sending an email to chevron@hesonline.com (including first name, last name, and CAI) and paying a $15 fee when registering.

If I have a disability can I still participate in HealthTrails?

Yes; HealthTrail’s self-paced, flexible design fits people of all abilities. If walking isn’t possible, be as active as you can in whatever ways you enjoy. If you’re unsure which activities are best, check with your healthcare provider. The National Center on Health, Physical Activity, and Disability offers specific ideas.

The Step Conversion chart is helpful for equivalents. If your activity isn’t listed, estimate your steps based on the closest in intensity (light, moderate, vigorous). And an odometer can gauge distance in a wheelchair; 5 miles of pushing generally equals 10,000 steps (2000 steps/mile).

Is there a limit to the amount I can record each day?

Yes. To encourage consistency, each activity has a daily maximum. Click on the name of the activity in the Record Progress box to learn more.

How do the activity trackers sync to my HealthTrails account?

After you register and have connected a device or app to your HealthTrails account, it’s simple. Just put your device on in the morning, then each time you sync it with your computer or app and log into your HealthTrails account, you can see your steps add up.

Can I log manually if I’m using a tracking device?

Even if you have a device connected in HealthTrails, you can still manually record steps:

1. Go to the Home page.

2. Under Log Progress, click Edit (by Steps), then enter the number of steps, and click Save.

3. To revert to device tracking, click Edit again, then Sync.

If I’m doing an activity that’s not accurately measured with a tracker — like cycling — how do I count steps?

Refer to the Step Conversion chart; multiply the number listed by total minutes.

Note: Steps/minutes are estimates, not actual step rates. Actual steps/minute depend on the specific activity, leg and stride length as well as fitness level. For nonstep activities, step equivalents are determined by the metabolic cost (higher intensity = more steps/minute).

How did you choose the tracking devices and apps?

After carefully reviewing features, testing, and tracking reliability for the best user experience, we’ve compiled this list — some of the highest-quality and most popular devices on the market. We’ll update it as needed.

How does the team competition work?

All teams must have 4-6 members (yourself plus 3-5 others) and be formed by Friday, August 31. The team competition will end on Tuesday, October 2, so to have your activity count toward your team’s score, you must log by Wednesday, October 3.

In this friendly competition, teams challenge each other to see who can top the leaderboard. Although you can participate on your own, it may be the most fun part of this path to better health. Scores are based on the team’s average miles/day. Each person’s individual contribution affects the team score, so gather a group who will encourage and support each other along the way.

How do you form a team?

After you register, click the Team link — invite others to join or accept invites from another team leader. Although there are advantages to having teammates close by, they can be across the hall or around the world; the most important thing is to recruit others who are motivated to be healthy.

Can I get points towards health rewards for participating in HealthTrails?

If you are an eligible U.S. or Canada based employee, participation in HealthTrails will qualify for points toward health rewards. Visit the U.S. health rewards page or the Canada health rewards page for more information.

To qualify for points you must:

• Log your HealthTrails qualifying activities (miles) for 24 out of the 42 days of the challenge (August 22 – October 2).
• Complete the HealthTrails evaluation by October 12, 2018.

Why is HealthTrails 2018 good for me and good for others?

This year, when you participate, every 20 virtual miles earned will be turned into a life-saving food packet and donated to children suffering from severe acute malnutrition. 

To see Chevron’s collective progress toward donating lifesaving meal packets, visit healthtrailsforgood.com. Donations are capped at the million-mile mark – that means that up to 50,000 meal packets could be donated to children in need. How many miles can you earn for the good of others?

How can I learn more about the good we're doing?

Chevron has partnered with Active for Good, a non-profit organization, to send lifesaving meal packets to children suffering from Severe Acute Malnourishment (SAM). For more information about the impact of this partnership check out the following resources:

• Active for Good’s mission
• Stories of hope
• Impact for kids

To see Chevron’s collective progress toward donating lifesaving meal packets, visit healthtrailsforgood.com. Donations are capped at the million-mile mark – that means that up to 50,000 meal packets could be donated to children in need.

What if I have questions about the program?

Use the Contact link at the bottom of each page on the website. A HealthTrails representative will respond within 1 business day.