Heidi Kraak
Latrobe Valley Bus Lines staff found their competitive side when they participated in the Latrobe Community Health Service 10,000 steps challenge last year and are gearing up for the challenge again this year.
Although the challenge doesn’t start until July 30, Latrobe Valley Bus Lines general manager Anna Tyben said there was already a little bit of “healthy rivalry” buzzing around the office.
The 10,000 steps challenge involves workplaces forming teams of eight to 10 staff members to see which team can cumulatively reach the highest number of steps over a five-week period.
“We like to offer our staff a range of health and wellbeing initiatives,” Ms Tyben said.
“This is a great challenge that we have teamed up with Latrobe Community Health for, for the second year running … it is an easy challenge, it doesn’t cost our staff a lot to do and it just gives another option, another avenue, to promote their health and wellbeing.
Ms Tyben said staff members became quite creative when thinking of ways to increase their steps during the day.
“They walk in teams – they get together with a few of their colleagues and go for a walk at lunch time or something like that.
“Last year we had three teams. It was highly competitive the last week or two.”
LCHS health promotion officer Laura Duff said the challenge was set over five weeks to help form long-term habits.
“If it is a longer period it is more likely we are going to form that into a habit that will continue beyond the challenge as well so it becomes part of everyday life,” she said.
“Studies show that people who do that self-monitoring behaviour with a Fitbit or a pedometer or similar device actually increase their physical activity levels by about 25 per cent.”
The 10,000 steps challenge will run from July 30 until September 2.
Interested workplaces need to register at healthyworkplaces@lchs.com.au by Friday, July 20, and teams will need to be finalised and submitted by Friday, July 27.
Pedometers can be borrowed from Latrobe City libraries from Monday, July 23.
LCHS will also host a Make Your Move launch on Tuesday, July 31 from noon until 2pm at the LCHS building in Buckley Street. There will be schoolyard games such as skipping, hopscotch and foursquare. The event is free to all 10,000 steps challenge participants.
