As the days get shorter, the inclination to exercise tends to go out the window, says Rachel Johns. Which is why the Heinz Wattie's technologist has signed up to the Global Corporate Challenge, a team-based walking competition which sees colleagues clocking up the kilometres on a pedometer over 16 weeks.
MsJohns will be in good company for the challenge, which officially kicked off on May 19. A total of 189 Wattie's employees in the Bay have entered in teams of seven for this year's competition, some of whom were part of the winning national team last year.
Wattie's employee Charles Jenkins was on the top team and said the competitive edge kept him motivated.
"Keeping track of your own steps and comparing these to your teammates automatically makes you want to do more with your day," he said.
Teams record their combined mileage on an online database, which pits them against 150,000 participants in 75 countries. The competition was established as a health initiative, to get people walking towards better health.
Wattie's wasn't shy about its national title last year and this year challenged other Hawke's Bay businesses to get on board.
At least 16 local businesses responded. Unison alone had 175 staff getting their pedometers ready and NZCU Baywide more than 80.
Some Wattie's participants from last year found the challenge revolutionised the way they approached health and fitness. Some enjoyed improved fitness, while others noted decreased blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Cherie Penn joked she became "slightly obsessed" with walking. "My pedometer became a vital part of my daily life as it kept me challenging myself."
Wattie's Work Fit Challenger Sarah Bryant said the programme had become the "premier fitness programme". The challenge's interactive nature motivated people to strive for better personal and team results. "It's a winter programme when we are least active and walking is something all our employees can do."
