Burn off those holiday kilos - on your way to work
If you’re struggling to stick to that New Year’s resolution to get fit and healthy, or if you over-indulged in food and drink over the holidays, then Greater Wellington’s new Active a2b programme may be just what you need.
Active a2b is a programme that encourages and gives practical support to people who work in Wellington CBD to get active on their way to and from work. No matter where you live, as long as you work in the CBD, you can join up.
Claire Pascoe, Active a2b coordinator, says many people are firmly committed to resolutions they made at New Year for the first week or two, then the resolve often flags. “People often start out with good intentions but before they have time to form a healthy new routine, work has got too busy and they lose the motivation. But Active a2b is a great opportunity to get support to stick it out and create a positive long-lasting new habit.”
She says the programme is tailored to meet individual needs. “No two people have the same motivations and needs; some people need gentle encouragement while others need a good rark up from time to time so we have a range of options to provide personal support.”
The programme includes a ‘nominate a mate’ option where friends and family are called on to encourage you and a bike buddy scheme where new riders can be matched with people who ride to work every day. As well as social support, the programme offers tools such as a desk calendar which you can use to record your progress, cycling workshops and family packs that have information for people who want to do more cycling and walking with their children.
More than 600 people have already signed up to the programme. “And going by the feedback we’re getting, it has really hit the mark. We’ve got people riding to work for the first time ever, others walking in to work from as far as South Karori, and others cycling home to Upper Hutt.”
Claire says the three-month programme aims to make the time spent commuting to work a beneficial part of your day. “It’s killing two birds with one stone – you’ve got to get to work anyway but this way you don’t have to squeeze the gym in later! Getting into the fresh air, instead of your car, also makes you feel less stressed, more invigorated. and you can travel from door to door without congestion or parking problems.”
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