Everyone in South Australia has been invited to take part in the third annual ‘Billion Steps Challenge’ this month so they can improve their health and wellbeing.
Organised by Wellbeing SA, the goal is to have every South Australian collectively walk their share of a billion steps as a way to get the community moving and increase physical activity.
According to Chief Executive of Wellbeing SA, Lyn Dean, it took South Australia 35 days to achieve the target last year and the aim for this year is to do it in 30 days or less.
Ms Dean said this year’s keen walkers are being encouraged to “trek to the moon and back”.
“We know more than half of all working age adults in Australia spend the majority of their day sitting down,” Ms Dean said, “and with many now routinely working from home, this means our bodies are moving less.”
“Walking is a simple and easy way to participate in the Billion Steps Challenge and support your overall health and wellbeing,” she said.
“Walking is free, can be done almost anywhere, and most people report being able to fit in a short walk to their day.”
Ms Dean said a total of 4,233 South Australians signed up for the Challenge in 2021, with the majority of walkers aged between 24 and 54.
“Seventy-nine per cent of the participants were women and 21 per cent were men, while 115 new organisations signed up and 79 steps tournaments began,” she said.
“Every step counts throughout the day and the more we move, the more health benefits we gain. Three 10-minute walks a day can do wonders for both our physical and mental wellbeing.”
Ms Dean said the Challenge was free to sign up on the 10,000 Steps website where participants can log their daily steps or sync their fitness devices to track their activity in minutes.
“All participants steps will be automatically added to the total for South Australia, with a live tally available on the 10,000 Steps website,” she said.
The Billion Steps Challenge started on 1 October but participants can still register at the 10000steps website at this PS News link.
