by welcomemat » Fri Sep 08, 2006 2:48 pm
Bob Pope's Recreation Column
Penticton Steps Out has a big birthday on September 10th and we have so much to proud of! We have won Provincial Awards, Canadian Awards and even recognition with the 2010 Olympics Committee. But there is nothing that feels better than hearing how our walking program has improved the lives of our participants.
Rather than go on about our new walk to New York contest with two flights from Harmony Air and K Banks Travel or the free workshops and motivational seminars and the great pedometer and the new things on the web log-in service from Edis Computers, I'd like to share some of the testimonials from our "steppers":
“Thank you for coming up with the fantastic contests - Walking to Las Vegas and the new Hawaii trip - I have joined many programs but find that I lose interest within weeks – not because the gyms do not have good programs but because it truly just gets boring – but your programs are keeping me pumped and I hope to see more in the future.”
“I joined Penticton Steps Out at the beginning. I feel much better with the exercise and both my blood pressure and cholesterol levels have lowered because of the exercise I am getting.”
“The Penticton Steps out Program has really helped to motivate me to walk more. I have walked more than 300 km since I joined on February 22, 2006. I am rarely without my pedometer on. I am 72 years old and this program got me off the couch.”
“I was at the swimming pool with my grandchildren and heard about the Penticton Steps Out program. 10,000 steps seemed an awful lot and it was a rare and celebrated day when I achieved that number of steps. Slowly I got hooked and started to find ways to make walking part of my daily routine. I took the suggestion of walking each of the aisles when shopping for groceries and when going downtown I parked my car at the Library and walked the rest of the way. I then began to find excuses to walk to the mall or to mail a letter etc.
Then a friend encouraged me to sign up for a PSO lesson on pole walking. (As a PSO participant it was free!). Now I am hooked! In fact, I would no more miss my pole walk each day than I would skip a meal. “
“Steps Out Works! The pounds took time to drop off in the beginning, but since I became really committed, the pounds started to melt away with very little change to my eating habits. I have more energy and include walking and hiking in my day. There is something about wearing that pedometer that keeps me committed. Now, at age 68 years young, I would encourage anyone to never consider themselves too old to get out and enjoy our beautiful Valley.”
“I am in my 80’s and want to tell you that you have changed my life. My family are so proud of me! My family across Canada now have access to my web page and the password to check up on me. They are always encouraging me and when I don’t enter a lot of steps in a day they want to know why.”
“This is my second year of Steps Out and I love it! I’m not a gym person, but walking fits my interests and lifestyle so well. We’re in a small enough city that I really can WALK to work, to church, the bank, many stores … Just plan a little extra time, and that little pedometer will reward you! I have found it makes me think a little differently now. Instead of looking for shortcuts, I now find myself looking for ways to take a longcut! No more elevators. Don’t worry about parking near the store’s front door – park far away and get more steps! Or don’t take the darn car at all! All the faster to move down that map! Isn’t it amazing how far you can go in only a few months! It’s a great program and I haven’t tired of it at all. I just want to see if I can keep upping my daily average. I broke the 10,000 barrier this year, so maybe next year … And an added bonus is that the dog sure loves it too! Keep up the good work.”
“I am a 73 year old with two knee replacements. Since September 26, 2005 I have walked 2494.3 km as part of the Penticton Steps Out program. Many of these kilometres were walked in Ireland in May of 2006! Two years ago my accomplishments would have been impossible.”
“The pedometer is a great incentive to get people walking. Regular walking then triggers an easy weight loss program. My husband and I have a friendly competition by comparing our steps at the end of our work day and again on the weekend. It’s Fun!”
“I have been a member of the Steps Out program since its inception two years ago. I was active before but with the use of the pedometer it makes me go even further. I rarely use my car anymore unless there’s too much to carry or if I’m going out of town. I always have a little competition with myself going. I want to do a little more today after all there is someone counting.”
The new season begins on September 10th. We have a $10.00 renewal for past "steppers" or register for $25.00. This includes a pedometer worth $20 - $25 and so much more! The first motivational speaker of the year will be James Johnson “Secrets to Just Keep Doing It!” which will be presented on September 27 in the Cleland Theatre.
For more information go to http://www.penticton.ca and click on Penticton Steps Out or pick up our new Fall Recreation Guide online or at your Community Centre.
[b]Bob Pope's Recreation Column
Penticton Steps Out has a big birthday on September 10th and we have so much to proud of! We have won Provincial Awards, Canadian Awards and even recognition with the 2010 Olympics Committee. But there is nothing that feels better than hearing how our walking program has improved the lives of our participants.
Rather than go on about our new walk to New York contest with two flights from Harmony Air and K Banks Travel or the free workshops and motivational seminars and the great pedometer and the new things on the web log-in service from Edis Computers, I'd like to share some of the testimonials from our "steppers":
“Thank you for coming up with the fantastic contests - Walking to Las Vegas and the new Hawaii trip - I have joined many programs but find that I lose interest within weeks – not because the gyms do not have good programs but because it truly just gets boring – but your programs are keeping me pumped and I hope to see more in the future.”
“I joined Penticton Steps Out at the beginning. I feel much better with the exercise and both my blood pressure and cholesterol levels have lowered because of the exercise I am getting.”
“The Penticton Steps out Program has really helped to motivate me to walk more. I have walked more than 300 km since I joined on February 22, 2006. I am rarely without my pedometer on. I am 72 years old and this program got me off the couch.”
“I was at the swimming pool with my grandchildren and heard about the Penticton Steps Out program. 10,000 steps seemed an awful lot and it was a rare and celebrated day when I achieved that number of steps. Slowly I got hooked and started to find ways to make walking part of my daily routine. I took the suggestion of walking each of the aisles when shopping for groceries and when going downtown I parked my car at the Library and walked the rest of the way. I then began to find excuses to walk to the mall or to mail a letter etc.
Then a friend encouraged me to sign up for a PSO lesson on pole walking. (As a PSO participant it was free!). Now I am hooked! In fact, I would no more miss my pole walk each day than I would skip a meal. “
“Steps Out Works! The pounds took time to drop off in the beginning, but since I became really committed, the pounds started to melt away with very little change to my eating habits. I have more energy and include walking and hiking in my day. There is something about wearing that pedometer that keeps me committed. Now, at age 68 years young, I would encourage anyone to never consider themselves too old to get out and enjoy our beautiful Valley.”
“I am in my 80’s and want to tell you that you have changed my life. My family are so proud of me! My family across Canada now have access to my web page and the password to check up on me. They are always encouraging me and when I don’t enter a lot of steps in a day they want to know why.”
“This is my second year of Steps Out and I love it! I’m not a gym person, but walking fits my interests and lifestyle so well. We’re in a small enough city that I really can WALK to work, to church, the bank, many stores … Just plan a little extra time, and that little pedometer will reward you! I have found it makes me think a little differently now. Instead of looking for shortcuts, I now find myself looking for ways to take a longcut! No more elevators. Don’t worry about parking near the store’s front door – park far away and get more steps! Or don’t take the darn car at all! All the faster to move down that map! Isn’t it amazing how far you can go in only a few months! It’s a great program and I haven’t tired of it at all. I just want to see if I can keep upping my daily average. I broke the 10,000 barrier this year, so maybe next year … And an added bonus is that the dog sure loves it too! Keep up the good work.”
“I am a 73 year old with two knee replacements. Since September 26, 2005 I have walked 2494.3 km as part of the Penticton Steps Out program. Many of these kilometres were walked in Ireland in May of 2006! Two years ago my accomplishments would have been impossible.”
“The pedometer is a great incentive to get people walking. Regular walking then triggers an easy weight loss program. My husband and I have a friendly competition by comparing our steps at the end of our work day and again on the weekend. It’s Fun!”
“I have been a member of the Steps Out program since its inception two years ago. I was active before but with the use of the pedometer it makes me go even further. I rarely use my car anymore unless there’s too much to carry or if I’m going out of town. I always have a little competition with myself going. I want to do a little more today after all there is someone counting.”
The new season begins on September 10th. We have a $10.00 renewal for past "steppers" or register for $25.00. This includes a pedometer worth $20 - $25 and so much more! The first motivational speaker of the year will be James Johnson “Secrets to Just Keep Doing It!” which will be presented on September 27 in the Cleland Theatre.
For more information go to http://www.penticton.ca and click on Penticton Steps Out or pick up our new Fall Recreation Guide online or at your Community Centre.[/b]
