The Pedometer Challenge

A Health Awareness initiative

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle in this day and age can prove difficult, as I am sure we are all aware. Finding the time to eat healthy, exercise, perform optimally at work, clean the house and get 8 hours of sleep seems impossible on most days. As such, we tend to neglect our bodies and opt for the easier, often unhealthy snack and skip your daily gym session. This fast-paced life-style has lead to a rise and prevalence of various health challenges including obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

In response to this, Stellenbosch University (SU), together with BestMed, the University of the Free State, the Central University of Technology and North West University, have launched the 2019 Pedometer Challenge - an 8 week challenge in which each institution will compete for the title of "Fittest University". The challenge is simple, the university with the most logged steps wins.

Various health benefits have been associated with waking, including:

1. Increased cardiovascular and pulmonary (heart and lung) fitness

2. Reduced risk of heart disease and stroke

3. Improved management of conditions such as hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol, joint and muscular pain or stiffness, and diabetes

4. Increased muscle strength and endurance, and improved balance

5. Reduced body fat.

This is the first year SU has taken part in the Pedometer challenge - and the 4th year that the University of Free State has hosted the challenge. MBHG could not be more thrilled to take part in this activity, as it provides a chance to interact with co-workers and improve our health. MBHG has a total of 13 teams (each consisting of 4 members) signed-up to participate in the challenge. The teams along with their members are listed below:

• Legs Miserable: Andrea Gutschmidt (Captain), Dannielle Moore, Kim Stanley and Caroline Beltran

• The Walking Dead: Tarryn Fisher (Captain), Gerhard Walzl, Leigh Kotze and Carine Kunsevi-Kilola

• Rapid Reactions: Samantha Sampson (Captain), Roxanne Higgitt, Nastassja Steyn and Pamela

• The Speed-O-Meters: Caitlyne Young (Captain), Su-Mari du-Plessis, Jomien Mouton and Julian Coetzee

• Tenacious Turtles: Mel Kortje (Captain), Charmaine Abrahams, Leilani Abrahams and Katrina Swarts

• The "MEAN" Machine: Nandi Niemand (Captain), Elizma Streicher, Anzaan Dippenaar and Melanie Grobbelaar

• Happy Feet: Brigitte Herbst (Captain), Marlo Möller, Craig Kinnear and Caitlin Uren

• Fantastic Four: Amy Steinhobel (Captain), Leeré Scott, Lisa Stein and Charnay van der Merwe

• Hot Steppers: Stephanie Alexander (Captain), Roslyn Beukes, Gertrude Presence and Justin Johnson

• # FitFam: Rouxjeane Venter (Captain), Stephanie Minnies, Selisha Naidoo and Zama Mahlobo

• Pace Makers: Ilze Louw (Captain), Leanie Kleynhans-Cornelissen, Devon Allies and Hygon Mutavhatsindi

• The Incredibles: Andriëtte Hiemstra (Captain), Fanie Malherbe, Donald Simon and Susanne Tönsing

• Sole Mates: Chantell Meyer (Captain), Ruth Wilson, Analeen Sampson and Ashley Steyn

Which university will prove healthier than next? And which team will out walk the rest?There is only one way to find out - stay tuned to our blog for an introduction to the various MBHG division teams and exciting updates on the km logged.

Written By: Dannielle K Moore