Challenge over but walking workplaces not stopping yet

Published on 08 December 2014

Lower Murray Water’s ‘Mexicans’ team have once again taken out this year’s Healthy Together Mildura 10,000 Steps Challenge and are encouraging everyone to keep Mildura moving over the festive season.

With the holiday season well and truly on its way, we’re all being encouraged continue to strive to take 10,000 steps each day and to get up, get moving and ensure regular exercise is built into our day to combat any extra Christmas calories.

Spanning five weeks in September and October, 26 workplaces, 47 teams and 418 people took part in the 10,000 Steps Challenge and committed to aim for 10,000 steps every day.

125,378,025 steps were taken over the five week period, which is equivalent to walking around the Australian coastline 2.7 times. The ‘Mexicans’ from Lower Murray Water took an average of 17,019 steps per person per day.

Lower Murray Water’s Managing Director Philip Endley said they are committed to continuing offering staff healthy opportunities through programs such as the Healthy Together Achievement Program.

“It’s great to see staff so enthusiastic about programs like the 10,000 Steps Challenge and we are encouraging staff to continue their healthy habits in the upcoming festive season.” Mr Endley said.

“We believe in the wellbeing of our staff and look for opportunities to continue to develop a great culture. Lower Murray Water also has an in-house Wellness Program, as part of this staff have access to a wellness library containing resources on exercise, diet, healthy living and managing stress etc.”

Healthy Together Mildura, Active Communities Officer, Louise Tarrant said she was very happy with the level of participation and commitment shown by teams.

“We got great buy in from workplaces this year and they really supported staff to get up and get moving. The feedback from participants has been really positive, with many people saying that they will keep their level of activity up after the Challenge” Mrs Tarrant said.

“Many workplaces are continuing to encourage staff to keep active by implementing active travel policies, providing onsite fitness equipment and creating their own 10,000 Step Challenges in-house.”

Community Wellbeing and Services Portfolio Councilor Sharyon Peart said one thing we can all do to make ourselves feel better both physically and emotionally over the festive season, is to go for a long walk.

“I really enjoyed participating in the 10,000 Step Challenge. It made me really aware of the need to move about more.” Cr Peart said.

“Not only will going for a walk enable you to spend quality time with your family over the festive season, you'll also burn off some of those excess calories and be able to clear your head, settle your stomach and increase your steps.”

Pedometers purchased by Healthy Together Mildura are available to the public on a 6 week loan through the Mildura Rural City Council Library system.

For information on local walking groups and maps, visit www.healthytogethermildura.com.au

Healthy Together Mildura is funded by the Victorian Government and is a partnership between Mildura Rural City Council and Sunraysia Community Health Services.