Walk your way to wellness

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/walking-challenge.jpg” caption=”The 6 x 10 Walking Challenge encourages McMaster employees to incorporate 60 minutes of moderate physical activity into their daily routine. Photo by Susan Bubak.”]More than 100 McMaster employees are walking their way to a healthier lifestyle by taking part in the 6 x 10 Walking Challenge.

“A group of us have signed up for the challenge, and that is helping me be accountable,” said Mike Sowerby, business/web services analyst, Student Affairs. “Most of us aren't taking the Zone 7 shuttle now. [We're] walking back and forth instead.”

Instead of the instructor-led walking groups that were scheduled during lunch hours in previous years, this year's move to the Walking Challenge has made it easier to fit exercise into your daily routine and encourage collegial participation.

Now in its second month, the McMaster 6 x 10 Walking Challenge continues to grow. Why 6 x 10? Canada's Physical Activity Guide recommends 60 minutes of moderate activity every day, which can be done cumulatively.

Participation is simple: keep track of walking (or other cardiovascular activity) periods of at least 10 minutes throughout the month. Minutes are submitted monthly in a prize draw for a $50 gift card to the Running Room. All participants who send in minutes for all four months (April, May, June and July) are eligible to enter a grand prize draw for a wind/rain resistant jacket (retail value $90) and a pair of professional fitted walking shoes (retail value $150).

Participants from all over campus are taking part to get active, including Karen Belaire, vice-president administration.

“I'm enjoying my participation in the Healthy Workplace McMaster Walking Challenge,” she said. “The weekly newsletters keep me motivated and on track towards my own personal goals. I encourage everyone to join the over 100 McMaster employees who are already part of the challenge to be active both throughout the workday and at home.”

Every week, an electronic newsletter called Walking Weekly is e-mailed to all participants. A copy is also posted on the Worth Mentioning section of the Daily News. In addition, many walking-related resources are available on the Healthy Workplace website. New wellness information on fitness, nutrition, mental health and ergonomics has also been added to the site.

It isn't too late to join the Walking Challenge. Just send us an e-mail and we'll send you all the info.

Stay tuned for details about our first ever free Summer Fit Camp, an after work program that starts in June and is open to all employees.

If there is something that you would like us to include as part of the Healthy Workplace Program, please let us know. We're here to support healthy living for all employees of the University.

Employee Work Life Support Services is also available online with benefits information.

For more information, please contact Elizabeth Way, Healthy Workplace program coordinator, Human Resources Services, at eway@mcmaster.ca or call ext. 23275.