The National Steps Challenge is back for Season 6, and it’s bigger and better than ever! This year, the challenge is open to all Australians aged 18 and over, and there are some great prizes up for grabs.
The challenge runs for 12 weeks, from 27 September to 19 December 2023. During this time, participants are encouraged to walk as many steps as possible each day. The goal is to reach 10,000 steps per day, but you can set your own personal goal based on your fitness level.
To track your progress, you can use the official National Steps Challenge app. The app is available for free on the App Store and Google Play. The app will track your steps, as well as provide you with motivation and support along the way.
There are some great prizes up for grabs for participants who reach their goals. The top 100 participants will win a prize pack worth over $1,000, and there are also weekly prizes up for grabs.
Why Participate in the National Steps Challenge?
There are many benefits to participating in the National Steps Challenge. Walking is a great way to improve your overall health and fitness. It can help you to:
- Lose weight
- Reduce your risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes
- Improve your mood and energy levels
- Strengthen your bones and muscles
- Sleep better
The National Steps Challenge is a great way to get motivated to walk more. The challenge provides you with a goal to work towards, and the app will help you to track your progress and stay motivated.
How to Get Started
If you’re new to walking, it’s important to start slowly and gradually increase your distance and intensity over time. Aim to walk for at least 30 minutes most days of the week. You can break up your walking into shorter periods throughout the day, such as 10-minute walks three times a day.
As you get fitter, you can gradually increase your walking distance and intensity. You can also add some hills to your walks to make them more challenging.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
There are a few common mistakes that people make when participating in the National Steps Challenge. These include:
- Setting unrealistic goals. It’s important to set a goal that is challenging but achievable. If you set your goal too high, you may get discouraged and give up.
- Not tracking your progress. It’s important to track your progress so that you can see how you’re doing and make adjustments as needed. The National Steps Challenge app can help you to track your steps and stay motivated.
- Giving up too early. It’s important to remember that walking is a gradual process. It takes time to build up your fitness level. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately. Just keep walking and be patient.
Tips for Success
Here are a few tips for success in the National Steps Challenge:
- Set a realistic goal. Don’t try to do too much too soon. Start with a goal that you can achieve, and then gradually increase your distance and intensity over time.
- Make walking a part of your routine. Schedule time for walking each day, and stick to your schedule as much as possible.
- Find a walking buddy. Walking with a friend or family member can help you to stay motivated and make the time go by faster.
- Listen to music or podcasts while you walk. This can help to keep you entertained and make the time go by faster.
- Reward yourself for your progress. When you reach a milestone, reward yourself with something you enjoy, such as a new pair of shoes or a massage.
Pros and Cons of the National Steps Challenge
Here are some of the pros and cons of the National Steps Challenge:
Pros:
- Free to participate
- Open to all Australians aged 18 and over
- Great prizes up for grabs
- Can help you to improve your overall health and fitness
- Can help you to lose weight
- Can help you to reduce your risk of chronic diseases
- Can help you to improve your mood and energy levels
- Can help you to strengthen your bones and muscles
- Can help you to sleep better
Cons:
- Can be challenging to fit walking into your busy schedule
- Can be difficult to stay motivated, especially if you don’t see results immediately
Overall, the National Steps Challenge is a great way to get motivated to walk more and improve your overall health and fitness. If you’re looking for a challenge, and you’re willing to put in the effort, then I encourage you to sign up for the National Steps Challenge today!
Additional Resources
- National Steps Challenge website
- National Steps Challenge app
- Walking for Health
- The Benefits of Walking
Tables
Table 1: National Steps Challenge Season 6 Timeline
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Challenge start | 27 September 2023 |
| Challenge end | 19 December 2023 |
| Prize draw | January 2024 |
Table 2: National Steps Challenge Season 6 Prizes
| Prize | Number of winners | Value |
|---|---|---|
| First prize | 1 | $1,000 |
| Second prize | 2 | $500 |
| Third prize | 3 | $250 |
| Weekly prizes | 12 | $100 |
Table 3: National Steps Challenge Season 6 Step Goals
| Goal | Steps per day |
|---|---|
| Beginner | 5,000 |
| Intermediate | 7,500 |
| Advanced | 10,000 |
Table 4: National Steps Challenge Season 6 Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Description |
|---|---|
| Setting unrealistic goals | Setting a goal that is too high, which can lead to discouragement and giving up |
| Not tracking your progress | Not tracking your progress, which makes it difficult to see how you’re doing and make adjustments as needed |
| Giving up too early | Giving up too early, which prevents you from seeing the benefits of walking |
