Julian Robinson wins Get Moving Challenge Week 1

St Andrew South East Member of Parliament, Julian J. Robinson, racked up 80,000 steps last week (April 10-16) to win week one of the Jamaica Moves ‘Get Moving Challenge’.

The challenge, which started on Monday April 10, has 14 prominent members of the private and public sector committing to taking 10,000 documented steps per day over the next four weeks.

The challenge is designed to use these influencers to encourage Jamaicans to start taking steps towards a healthier lifestyle, using the power of friendly competition as motivation.

'Get Moving' is a part of the Ministry of Health’s Jamaica Moves initiative which was launched on Friday, April 7.

What is Jamaica Moves?
Jamaica Moves is a national physical activity and nutrition change agenda to educate individuals on the risk factors associated with Non Communicable Diseases in an effort to encourage them to lead healthier lives. The programme will also focus on building supportive environments to facilitate increased physical activity and proper nutrition.

"I think the initiative is a good one'' said Robinson. "Anything that promotes physical activity and proper nutrition is important, particularly within the context that so many Jamaicans die from non communicable diseases.

He added that he decided to participate in the Jamaica Moves ‘Get Moving' challenge to encourage more Jamaicans to get active and to engage in a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity each day.

The challenge
The challenge is divided into two categories: Workweek Hustle and Weekend Warrior. 

Workweek Hustle is a challenge to see who can get the most steps between 12 a.m. Monday and 11:59 p.m. Friday. Following this, the challengers move on to the Weekend Warrior challenge.

Weekend Warrior aims to see who can get the most steps in a weekend. It runs from 12 a.m. Saturday to 11:59 p.m. Sunday.

WATCH: Robinson vows to stay on top

Winners - Workweek Hustle
Tiffany Wong, Continental Baking Company’s special projects manager - 58,000 steps
Renigade, Dancehall artiste - 55,000 steps
Claire Grant, General manager of television services RJRGleaner Communications Group - 51,000
Julian Robinson, St Andrew South East MP - 49,000 steps

Robinson would, however emerge overall winner after the Weekend Warrior challenge.

“I missed the first day because I didn’t have the FitBit set up but I’m happy to participate. I used to be very physically active, but I’m not as active as I was before. I know the competition will come after me in the second and third week so I have to maintain that,” Robinson said.

Other challengers:
Dr Chris Tufton, Minister of Health 
Delomar from the dance hall duo RDX
Shanice Allen, university student 
Krystal Tomlinson, Digicel Foundation’s 
Jermaine Edwards, Gospel artiste 
Leon Mitchell, Group Chief Marketing & Sales Officer at JN Bank 
Nashauna Lalah, The Gleaner's Lifestyle Editor 
Alando Terrelonge, St Catherine East Central
Marisa Dalrymple Philibert, Trelawny South
Natalie Neita, St Catherine North Central