Global Corporate Challenge (GCC)

Goal: To walk 10,000 steps each day for 16 weeks.

From day one it was going to be quite a challenge!

The Trust had already taken part in the GCC in 2011, before we joined with staff from York & North Yorkshire but this year was going to be massive. 427 people each armed with a pedometer aiming to do 10,000 steps a day.  I’d taken part last year and felt fantastic at the end of the challenge, in fact I kept talking about it to my family and friends for quite some time afterwards.  So 2012 would be easy peasy!  Or so I thought...

I’ve had a few health problems in the past, namely bipolar but even then I knew exercise was the best way to get me going, to get outside with the dog and chat to other dog walkers.  This year was different. I have been mentally well (touch wood) for some time.  What I didn’t expect was a physical illness.  It crept up on me from January this year. At first I thought it was depression; I had low motivation and felt extremely tired.  Despite medication I didn’t feel any better. I wanted to take part in the GCC with the same enthusiasm I had last year but just couldn’t quite get there. It was very frustrating. I had to admit that my goal was far too high and I had to be realistic if I was going to make progress.

The irony of the whole situation is that I am the GCC coordinator for the Trust, writing emails that motivate staff to enjoy the experience and improve their wellbeing while at the same time celebrating their achievements on a weekly basis.  Not long after the launch I was diagnosed with Hyperparathyroidism and vitamin D deficiency.  Thank goodness, I thought.  At last a reason for my low step count! After a vitamin boost, the next day I was out in the park with the dog increasing those steps like no tomorrow. It lasted just one day. Again I’d over done it.

I suppose the reason I wrote this blog is to say that most of us have goals we’d like to achieve.  What I’ve learned over the years is to make those goals manageable.  It’s difficult sometimes to be honest with yourself but eventually it becomes apparent that only realistic goals matter, and in my case will improve my health and wellbeing.

Jane Clancy