Anaesthetics nurse Jessica Nowak has recently begun parking further away from her workplace – Sunshine Hospital – to get some extra exercise into her daily routine.
“I am really trying to get my fitness up at the moment,” Ms Nowak said. “I’m making an effort to walk faster, too, and sometimes I’ll jog.”
She is happy to be participating – along with her colleagues and those from Footscray Hospital – in the annual Diabetes Australia Walk to Work Day on Friday, October 6.
Workers are encouraged to build walking into their lives, whether it be walking to meetings, walking to and from work, lunchtime walks or using stairs instead of elevators.
Now in it’s 19th year, Walk to Work gives people the opportunity to help raise funds for Diabetes Australia while increasing their exercise levels.
Diabetes Australia chief executive Greg Johnson says diabetes risks greatly increase if people are inactive, sedentary or overweight.
“With around 280 Australians developing diabetes every day, diabetes is the single biggest challenge facing Australia’s health system,” Professor Johnson said. “Walking is one of the best ways to help people reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
“Employees who walk regularly are generally more productive, have less stress and are less likely to be sick or absent.”
Jessica Micallef
