Pharmaceutical Society of Australia staff across the country are taking part in a
health initiative to see how many times they can walk the distance around Australia before the Society`s annual
Pharmacy Australia Congress in October.
An added interest is for individuals to calculate how many times they can walk from their home location to Melbourne, where PAC10 is being held from 28-31 October.
The walkathon initiative has been devised by PSA`s Social Club and aims to improve the health of staff while also raising awareness of the need for office-based workers to get more exercise.
Social Club organisers said it was appropriate for a health sector organisation to lead by example. Staff are also being encouraged to weigh themselves and measure their waistlines so that total losses can be calculated at the end of the walkathon.
Based on the Department of Health and Ageing`s Measure Up program, participants will try to meet the department`s guide of a healthy lifestyle recommendation of a minimum of 10,000 steps (or about 8km) a day.
With Australia`s circumference being 25,760km, all PSA staff are being urged to take part and help circle the continent.
To assist in calculating the distance walked, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare, has donated 50 pedometers for staff to wear as they strive to meet their goals.
GSK Marketing Manager ANZ- Expert Marketing, Rod Stosic, said it was heartening to see the initiative being embraced by PSA staff who clearly wanted to set an example while improving their health and meeting individual health goals.
"We are delighted to be part of this initiative and know that pedometers are important as many people are surprised at just how few steps they take during the normal course of their daily routine. Wearing a pedometer gives you an accurate measure and acts as a good motivator," Mr Stosic said.
The results of the walkathon will be announced at PAC10, The PSA walkathon begins on Monday 12 July and finishes on Friday 15 October.
Source:
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia
