Getting a boost: Donna’s short walks made a big impact

“It motivated me to walk more, whether before or after work, or during lunch breaks.”

Donna, from team “Step in the Rx Direction”, was the champion of the Autumn 2024 Step Count Challenge. She shared how taking part in the challenge gave her the motivation to spend time connecting with nature after a busy working day.

As someone with a desk job, Donna joined the Step Count Challenge to boost her fitness but also found that she enjoyed the friendly competition between teams at her work. The weekly targets helped keep her focused, and she was motivated to try and beat her step count from the previous week, even if only by a few hundred steps.

The challenge encouraged her to get out for a walk while her kids were at their after-school clubs, and even to leave the car at home, or park further away from her destination, and walk instead.

By starting her day forty minutes earlier and going for a walk before work, Donna got those extra steps in, but she also felt her mindset improve for the day ahead.

During the challenge Donna kept things interesting by walking in the woods, along the beach, on country lanes, and through local towns and villages. Her favourite route was a peaceful woodland walk with her dog, offering a quiet escape from a busy week.

Published: May 2025