By Megan Wilcox, APR, ThedaCare Media and Public Relations
Spring officially starts Thursday and while the weather is still sometimes in winter mode, temperatures are inching higher while snow piles slowly melt, making it easier for everyone to come out of hibernation. This past week, several participants in the Pedometer Challenge sponsored by ThedaCare and ThedaCare Orthopedic Care saw their numbers increase.
Whether it was those days above freezing or people realizing the importance of being active, it’s great to see so many people log their highest-ever step total. Emily Matesic of WBAY logged 72,020 steps despite traveling two days although she did use an airport layover as an opportunity to do some walking.
WLUK’s Chad Doran had his best week ever too with 82,807 steps. “I really thought I had a chance to break 100,000 with the way the week went up to the weekend, but it just shows how tough it can be sometimes. Guess I’ve got a good goal for this week,” says Chad, who added that he was sick one day of the weekend and was in the conference on the other.
Judy Steffes of WTCH in Shawano also saw her numbers increase to 61,639 despite the daily stresses of life – including hitting a split rail fence with her car. “I started the week off strong. I’m so inspired and then, gradually, by mid-week life takes over. This week will be much better,” she enthuses.
Kari Cassidy of the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce saw her weekly total jump to 69,882, more than 17,000 steps than her previous week.
Six of the eight participants from the Waushara Argus improved with Mary Kunasch, Amber Araiza, Margie Williams, Nadine Miller, Jessie Weiss, and Karla Perkins all logging more steps last week than the previous week. “We continue to enjoy the challenge and everyone is a bit healthier and more conscious of how active we are thanks to you and your program,” says Mary, the paper’s senior publisher.
Other participants who improved last week include:
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Nina Cook, Catherine Johannes, and Jamie Voster of the ThedaCare Center for Healthcare Value
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Bob Salm of WHBY
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Adam Rockman of WBAY
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Jackie Baldwin of the Clintonville Chamber of Commerce
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Melissa Boutott, sister of WFRV’s Chelly Boutott, who marches around the house and even marched in place while making chili to boost her numbers
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Mark Hauser, a mailman in New London, continues to lead all Challenge participants and increased his weekly step total by nearly 10,000, taking 197,917 steps. Can 200,000 be far behind?
We still have a month left in the Pedometer Challenge and I can’t wait to see how participants continue to improve. Every step they’re taking is towards a healthier future.
