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10 000Step Community Challenge
The 10 000 Steps Community Challenge has been the largest community lifestyle program ever undertaken by the Upper Hunter and Singleton communities. More than 280 participants took to the streets, walking their way to better health, improved fitness in the Hunter New England Health (HNE Health) eight-week program.
And while the life-changing experience has drawn to an end for participants, the lessons learnt will continue to keep the residents of the Upper Hunter and Singleton fit for life.
Community Dietitian for Upper Hunter Community Health Brodie Preston said
it was amazing to see the transformation in people’s attitudes and outlook on life after completing the program. The majority of participants realised they needed to increase their physical activity levels and most achieved their personal physical activity goals during the Challenge.
“I would like to thank the program’s partners who joined forces with HNE Health staff to make the Challenge a success, including Centacare, the Heart Foundation, Liverpool Plains Shire Council, The Cancer Council and TAFE,” Ms Preston said.
“We were overwhelmed with the response from members of the community who registered for the program, it exceeded our expectations. There were some outstanding performances during the Challenge and we would like to acknowledge their efforts,” she said.
Prize winners in the 10 000 Steps Community Challenge are;
• Consistent Attendance at Information Sessions - Kath Grabham from Singleton.
• Most Total Steps - Anne Wratten from Quirindi.
• The Most Improved Team - The Larrikans Team.
• Community Prize – Murrurundi, for the most participants per population.
• Most Improved Individuals;
o Alison Doughty - Singleton
o Elaine Sparrow - Merriwa
o Karina Swain - Murrurundi
o Ben O’Regan – Scone
o Bernard Smith – Quirindi
“On behalf of HNE Health I would like to congratulate all the prize winners and the community for not only embracing the Challenge but for changing their lifestyle and habits to achieve a healthier life,” Ms Brodie said.
An evaluation of the program was undertaken revealing some very positive statistics:
• 85 per cent of survey participants had improved fitness and energy levels.
• 76 per cent believed their mental well-being had benefitted.
• 59 per cent were achieving the recommended 150 minutes of exercise per week.
• 45 per cent had reduced weight levels.
• Participants had increased their vegetable intake.
Some of the participants’ feedback included:
“I didn't realise how few steps I was doing each day until I started this. It has been a wonderful motivation for me to get me more active.”
“The challenge was well organised and it definitely helped me increase my activity levels. I will continue to use my pedometer and maintain the extra activity.”
“I did my own research and discovered people perform their duties better in the afternoon if they walk at lunchtime, so I organised my students into a walking group to walk each Wednesday before lunch. Everyone is enjoying it and working more efficiently in the afternoon!”
Since the completion of the Challenge, three walking programs coordinated by the Heart Foundation have started in Mururrundi, Quirindi and Scone districts.
Contact: Kylie Dawson
Phone: (02) 6767 7136
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