Take a hike, the nicest way

Walk to work and stay healthy

THE team at Stockland Shellharbour is set to put on their runners as they take part in ninth national Walk to Work Day next Friday, October 6.

Walk to Work Day is an initiative of the Pedestrian Council of Australia, designed to encourage all Australians to develop regular walking habits and aims towards better health, cleaner air, less traffic and increased use of public transport.

According to creator of GutBusters and Head of the University of Sydneys Epidemiology Unit Professor Adrian Bauman, if an additional 10% of Australians walked regularly it would significantly increase our productivity and overall wellbeing. It would save more than a thousand lives every year from heart disease alone. Pedestrian Council of Australia Chairman Harold Scruby said walking is the first step toward personal and environmental health.

With our current habits Australians are predicted to be fatter than Americans by 2020. Making time to walk everyday and eating healthy food will help to prevent this prediction. In 2006 we are calling on Australian businesses to do their part by rewarding walking class heroes with a healthy breakfast on Walk to Work Day, he said. Group Manager Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Stockland Siobhan Toohill said Walk to Work Day is the perfect catalyst for starting a long-term health plan.

Walking is cheap, its easy and I can do it whenever I like. It costs nothing but a pair of good walking shoes, which is cheaper than a gym membership and Ill get to enjoy the outdoors in springtime, I really cant wait!, she said.

Youve got to get to work somehow, so why not walk, at least part of the way? As they say you dont have to take exercise seriously, just regularly.

Stockland Shellharbour Marketing Manager Michelle Clarke said not only are the centre staff getting involved but the retailers as well.

It is important for health benefits and also in terms of the environment, she said. Anyone is encouraged to host a Walk to Work Day healthy breakfasts. To find out how to organise your own Walk to Work Day healthy breakfast contact Frances Dwyer or Allison Lee on 9519 5411 or check out www.walk.com.au