HomeMy Public PortalAbout2011-11-23_Walk em Sock emPRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 23, 2011
WALK ‘EM, SOCK ‘EM
MUNICIPALITY OF CHESTER –The Municipalities of Chester and Lunenburg are going
head-to-head for the first time ever in a battle of pedometers.The friendly competition
began November 1,and teams have five months to “out-step”each other;the
municipality with the most steps wins.
Of course, it’s the “steppers” who are winning.According to the Heart & Stroke
Foundation, adults need at least 150 minutes of physical activity spread out over a week
to keep healthy.Physical activity increases overall health and decreases conditions that
could lead to illness, like high blood pressure.
The Municipality of Chester encourages individuals, schools, business es, or other
municipal units to organize, promote, or set up their own step program. Adults should
average 10,000 steps per day. Keep track of your steps online with the Heart & Stroke
Foundation, or keep your own log. Maybe challenge someone you know or a nother
organization to a friendly, little competition of your own…
“A step program isn't just for walking either,”says Debbie Harnish, coordinator of the
step program for the Municipality of Chester.“We want people to know that they can
count steps for raking leaves,riding a bike or even horseback riding -physical activity
encompasses more than walking.”Each person signing up for the contest gets a sheet
that converts activities to steps. For example, carry ing firewood for six minutes,is the
equivalent of 870 steps on a pedometer.
So far, 41 municipal employees have entered the competition:15 in the Municipality of
Lunenburg and 26 in the Municipality of Chester.Even though the Municipality of
Chester has had a step program since 2006, Debbie has seen an increase of 60%in
participation this year. As a matter of fact, 40% of the participants are new.Since the
number of “steppers” is uneven, an average of steps will be taken and then tota led at
the end of the contest. On March 23, 2012, the “most ph ysically fit” municipality will be
announced.
To track the Municipalities’ progress, visit www.chester.ca.To learn more about the
benefits of physical activity, visit www.heartandstroke.ns.ca
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CONTACT INFORMATION:
Jennifer Veinotte, Communications Officer
Municipality of the District of Chester
(902) 275-3554 phone (902) 275-4771 fax
(902) 277-1169 cell phone jveinotte@chester.ca
There are lots of ways to be physically active. Walkers Trishe Colman and Chad
Haughn (in the background) look on as Gord Tate bikes through Cosette Howlett’s
(left) and Debbie Harnish’s (right) leaf pile, scattering leaves everywhere.Jody
Conrad (far left)just finished preparing the garden for winter.