News Release: Put a Spring in Your Step and Get out Walking!

MATTAWA, ON – The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit (Health Unit) in partnership with the Town of Mattawa and the Stay On Your Feet coalition has launched Spring in Your Step – a six-week walking campaign to promote individuals 55 years and older to get out and walk.

“Walking is a great form of physical activity that can be done almost anywhere! Minimizing inactive time throughout your day can provide health benefits. Walking can also be a great social activity to enjoy with your friends and family,” explains Taylor Matson, Community Health Promoter at the Health Unit.

Individuals 55 and older can join the campaign any time between May 11, 2022, to June 22, 2022. Tracking sheets are due by 4:30 p.m. on June 24. By participating in the campaign, individuals benefit from the positive impacts of walking and those who submit their tracking sheet are added to the draw to win a grocery gift card.

Joining is easy!

• Pick up your tracking sheet and free pedometer at the Mattawa Information Centre.
• Select a goal distance that you will work towards over the next six weeks.
• Once you have received your pedometer track your steps daily using the tracking sheet. You can also use your own pedometer to track your daily steps.
• For extra socialization, you can join Mattawa's Walking Group (call 705-744-0222 for more information) or enjoy getting out for walks with family and friends.
• Submit the provided tracking sheet to a drop box at the Mattawa Information Centre or by emailing a picture of your tracking sheet to taylor.matson@healthunit.ca, by June 24, 2022, at 4:30 p.m. to be entered in the draw.
• An extra entry will be given to those that submit a photo of them walking to the Health Unit’s Facebook page, the Town of Mattawa’s Facebook page, or by email to taylor.matson@healthunit.ca.

Some exciting distance milestones include walking the distance of:

Milestone                                                       Distance          Number of Steps

Mattawa River                                                   76 km                  99,738 steps
Mattawa to North Bay (Return)                     124 km                162,730 steps
Mattawa to Parry Sound                                193 km                 253,281 steps
Prince Edward Island (coast to coast)           280 km                367,454 steps

“Stay On Your Feet is a regional strategy aimed at improving the quality of life of older adults. By promoting physical activity, socialization, and an overall healthy life, older adults are able to stay independent longer and help avoid serious injuries from falls,” explains Taylor Matson.

For more information on Stay On Your Feet or Spring in Your Step visit myhealthunit.ca/soyf or call 1-800-563-2808 ext. 5215.

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Media Inquiries:

Alex McDermid, Public Relations Specialist
P: 705-474-1400, ext. 5221 or 1-800-563-2808
E: communications@healthunit.ca