In just 2 ½ years Kelowna's "KickStart Steps Out" program has grown to more than 11,000 registrants as of this January. This independent walking program encourages registrants to measure their steps daily-with the goal of reaching 10,000/day-and logging them in web-based software. The software converts steps to kilometres and tracks registrants' progress across the globe. This year the group walks from Athens, Greece to Beijing, China (where the Olympics was in 2007 to where it was in 2008) and next year they'll make their way from Beijing to Whistler, BC.
Bob Pope, community coordinator in Penticton, originally started the Steps Out program. Not too long after, the program spread across the Okanagan becoming the "Okanagan Valley Steps Out" program. The program has been modified from city-to-city to meet the unique needs of each municipality.
Kelowna refers to their program as an "independent" walking program because its primary goal is to impact registrants' behaviour, and to help them to live active independently in the long-term. "We want to make an impact on the way people view physical activity so that they will continue to live actively even if they aren't logging their kilometres online" says Valerie Petillion, Community Recreation Coordinator, City of Kelowna. This walking program has done just that. After surveying 100 people, 100% indicated that whether they wore a pedometer for 3 months or 1 year, the program has made a positive impact on the way they feel about activity.
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"I didn't realize that such a small object (pedometer) attached to my hip, could be such an incentive for me to change my lifestyle. I used to drive around and around in a parking lot searching for the nearest open space. Now I park as far away as possible to get those extra steps.
Since I started the KickStart Steps Out program last year I have lost 28 lbs. I have changed my eating habits; I work out at the gym and look forward to recording my steps each night. With the support of my family, friends and co-workers, the KickStart program has made a tremendous difference in my life and I feel great!
-Brenda Konechny
(Interior Savings Credit Union)
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Partnerships Play Key Role in the Program's Success...
Mutually beneficial partnerships between local businesses-who sponsor prizes-and KickStart Steps Out-who advertises these businesses in return-has helped to create such a successful program. Prize incentives entice people to register and continue to motivate them: for every 100,000 steps logged registrants have a chance to win great prizes including flights to Europe and Las Vegas, Canucks prize packages, and more.
Approximately 90-100 free organized walks are also offered to participants each year. The winter is packed with weekly indoor walks. This too is enabled through partnership-organizations donate the use of their facilities and in return KickStart Steps Out promotes these facilities. "We like to highlight venues that are available in the community because a lot of people aren't aware of what's out there," says Petillion. For the winter of 2009, indoor walks at the mall and at the indoor walking track are offered three-times per week. Organized walks move to the outdoors in the warmer seasons. On average, 5-30 people take part in 1-hour walks through some of Kelowna's most breath-taking parks and trails.
Partnering with workplaces has helped Steps Out achieve enormous accomplishments. Steps Out staff goes to work sites and educates employers and employees about workplace wellness, living actively, the Steps Out program, and how to get involved. "Many employers are embracing the program, posting ‘Take the Stairs' stickers at elevators and encouraging their staff to live more actively," says Petillion, "this helps us reach inactive adults who are over 30."
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"In my role as Wellness Coordinator for Interior Health the KickStart Steps Out program has proven to be an amazing resource allowing the employees to engage in team building, camaraderie, healthy lifestyle choices and exercise! The staff in the KickStart office have been extremely helpful and motivating.
This program is an exceptional opportunity for individuals to build their daily exercise into an interactive web tool. The program provides motivation, incentives, and a great venue for teamwork. Thanks to the KickStart Steps Out program many of our valued employees are logging their steps and improving their overall wellness. Thank you KickStart!
-Dianne Appleby, Wellness Coordinator
Interior Health Authority
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Twice a year Steps Out, together with COACH-Central Okanogan Association for Cardiac Health-put on a "hearts @ work Active Living Health Fair" and admission is free for Steps Out registrants. The health fair helps people to better understand their BMI and healthy weight, their blood pressure and how to control it, effective ways to relax and reduce stress, how to live actively, how to eat healthier, and much more. Again, through partnership between these and other organizations, everyone benefits...most importantly the community.