Celebrating Success: Lifestyle for Life 12 Week Challenge Concludes with Community Walk and Prizes
Sport Whanganui and Nga Tai o te Awa recently wrapped up their successful 12-week Lifestyle for Life Challenge with a community walk around Springvale Park. The Challenge aimed to promote positive lifestyle changes in participants, focusing on physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
Participants in the Challenge underwent baseline health assessments, took part in health challenges, attended informative sessions with guest speakers, and even had a cooking session at UCOL. One of the key focuses of the Challenge was heart health, with the NZ Stroke Foundation providing support to raise awareness about the FAST message – Face Arm Speech Take Action – for stroke recognition and response.
Strokes can affect people of any age, and in New Zealand, a significant percentage of strokes occur in individuals under 65 years old. The Māori and Pacific communities are at a higher risk of experiencing strokes, making prevention and awareness crucial. Lifestyle factors such as maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise, reducing salt intake, and avoiding smoking and vaping can help reduce the risk of strokes.
The conclusion of the Challenge was marked by a community walk where spot prizes were given out to participants. The success of the 12-week program highlights the importance of community support in promoting healthier lifestyles. Those interested in joining the next 12 Week Challenge are encouraged to reach out to Darren at darren@sportwhanganui.co.nz for more information.
