Girl Power: Nashauna Lalah tops Get Moving Challenge

It was a battle between the fairer sex in week three of the Jamaica Moves ‘Get Moving Challenge’.

But when the clock struck 12 midnight on Monday, May 1, The Gleaner’s Lifestyle Editor, Nashauna Lalah left the other challengers in the dust, winning with 109,000 steps. Krystal Tomlinson finished second with 98,000 steps and Tiffany Wong third with 97,000 steps.

Likkle but Tallawah

Lalah, who describes herself as the “likkle but tallawah” competitor, said she has been the underdog in the competition. After Workweek Hustle ended on Friday, April 28, she was second with 64,000 steps behind Krystal Tomlinson with 69,000. However, she pulled ahead in the Weekend Warrior challenge adding 45, 000 steps to her tally.

“I never really aimed to win all these weeks because we have some challengers who are runners and although I go to the gym, usually that's it for the rest of the day in terms of being physically active,” Lalah disclosed.

The ecstatic Lalah said going into week three she thought “what if I try to win this?” With this mindset she got into game plan mood.

“I started by trying to get my 10,000 steps in by going walking when I got home in the evenings. After I reached my goal, I would say ‘Hey! I can do a little more.’ It showed me that anything is possible and anyone can do it if I can.”

At the start of the challenge Lalah said the thought of taking 10,000 steps each day seemed crazy.

“I'm not a walker or runner, and with a job that's pretty sedentary and has me sitting at a desk for much of the day, I thought it was impossible.”

Influence

The challenge is designed to use 14 influencers to encourage Jamaicans to start taking steps towards a healthier lifestyle, using the power of friendly competition as motivation.

“I have persons reaching out to me on social media and saying I have inspired them. I have persons who have said they are now at 25 minutes in the morning and 25 minutes in the evening and that is what it’s really all about,” Lalah said.

She noted that habits are easy to form and in three weeks she has formed a good habit that she doesn't plan to get rid of anytime soon.

“It’s not just for me, but for Jamaica. This may sound cliché, but it’s doing something for my country in terms of lowering the rate of non-communicable diseases —  if I can influence at least one person to get moving,” Lalah noted.

Challengers
The other challengers are:

Minister of Health, Dr Chris Tufton

Dance hall duo RDX

University student Shanice Allen

Digicel Foundation’s Krystal Tomlinson

Gospel artist Jermaine Edwards

General Manager of Television Services at TVJ Claire Grant

Group Chief Marketing and Sales Officer at JN Bank Leon Mitchell

Continental Baking Company’s Special Projects Manager Tiffany Wong

Members of parliament for East Central St Catherine, Alando Terrelonge,

Member of Parliament for south east St Andrew Julian Robinson. 

Member of Parliament for Trelawny southern Marisa Dalrymple Philibert

Member of Parliament for North Central St Catherine Natalie Neita Headley.

What is Jamaica Moves?

Jamaica Moves is a national physical activity and nutrition change agenda to educate individuals on the risk factors associated with NCDs, 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.