Congratulations to the 5 top steppers in the challenge!
1. Tom Oberdick
2. Mark Ouellette
3. Judy Lartz
4. Kirsten Drucker
5. Manny Acosta
Hike the Hills Walking Challenge results are in
In September, Dentsply Sirona employees across the country took part in the four-week Hike the Hills Walking Challenge for a chance to win prizes, bragging rights or just improve their overall health. The goal was to reach 8,000 steps per day by gradually increasing the step count each week. Almost 200 employees submitted their steps with a whopping total of 43,628,015 steps! The challenge supported the Company’s global wellness program´s focus on “Physical Health and Wellness.” Participants either manually tracked their steps each day by wearing a pedometer or synced their preferred app to track steps through the Wellness Portal. Each week, participants competed for the top spot in steps through the Live Leader Board.
Ready to amp up your walking routine?
If you have an exercise regimen that suits you, keep at it. But if you find you’re spending too much time on the couch or you’re simply bored with your routine, try some of these tips:
- Add weight – Try adding 3 to 5-pound weights when you walk for an added challenge.
- Add hills – Look for more challenging terrain such as hills or woods to get your heart pumping and different muscle groups working.
- Pump those arms – Move your arms more while you walk to increase your exertion.
- Add some pep in your step! Use good posture - walk tall and look forward.
We asked some of our top steppers how they stayed motivated and kept up with their daily walking goals.
Tom Oberdick - College Avenue, York, PA
Goal: None. I just walked as many steps as possible.
Benefits of walking: I felt better and had a more positive outlook.
Source of motivation: I’ve always been self-motivated.
Advice: Take it slow. Just a few minutes every day will add up!
Judy Lartz - College Avenue, York, PA
Goal: 20,000 steps per day.
Daily workout plan: I’m an early bird so I try to get 7,000 to 10,000 steps in before work either walking or running on the treadmill.
Source of motivation: My motivation for walking or working out is how mentally and physically good I feel afterwards.
Advice: Find something that you enjoy doing and include it in your daily routine. Add a little variety so you don`t get bored with the same workout.
Manny Acosta - Tulsa, OK
Goal: At least 20,000 steps a day.
Daily workout plan: I walked anytime I had a chance.
Source of motivation: I’d start with a 5 a.m. morning run. Usually kept my running shoes next to the bed so it would remind me to get going.
Advice: You may have to force yourself at the start, but your body adapts and then it becomes a habit.