23Jul2009
calling all couch potatoes
Posted by timezoneone
Do you remember when you were chokka full of energy and played a different sport each day? I wistfully remember those days. Today I can hardly drink a glass of water without getting puffed. After a hard day Zoning all I want to do when I get home is veg out. This is not doing great things for my waistline. So, we in the Chicago office have discovered the Global Corporate Challenge where you wear a pedometer and walk your way around the world.
The “Global Corporate Challenge” is a health and fitness initiative that helps the corporate world shift from its potentially deadly sedentary habits, to getting up and moving. GCC is a web based virtual ‘walk’ around the world. GCC program is not only saving lives, it’s making business more productive and profitable by having employees participate in something that delivers teamwork, communication, fun and a positive work environment in the current economic situation.
The program started 5 years ago with 2,500 participants. Already the 2009 event is tracking towards 90-95,000 participants.
Participants wear a pedometer to count their daily steps. Each member records their daily steps for the 125 days of the challenge, then this effort is converted into a virtual tour of the globe.
Through the marvel of modern technology, the site then converts this total into a kilometer/mile distance and plots progression and new position on the virtual course around the world!
Outstanding statistics from the 2008 GCC as measured from participating corporations;
“Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 41% drop in absenteeism
“Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 72% increase in energy levels
“Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 75% in fitness levels
“Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 81% have changed their health and activity habits through being involved in the GCC.
The two Richards here are uber fit and are both keen to walk around the world in a week. Me – I think I will need the whole 125 days just to make it from Chicago to Springfield!
Fitness here I come!
Hamish McDonald
