DISTED COLLEGE NEWS
22 January 2010

Health walk

The greatest wealth is health, classical Roman poet Virgil said some 2,000 years ago. 

Virgil’s wisdom is given contemporary relevance by DISTED College in its Health and Wellness Campaign this year for staff and students.

DISTED staff brisk walking for health at the Penang Botanical Gardens.

“We’re kicking off 2010 by promoting a healthy lifestyle, starting with organized walking for staff,” said Josephine Chan Ie Lyn, DISTED administration manager. 

“Apart from gaining more wealth in health, the walks will encourage the participants to appreciate and enjoy local natural spaces. 

“The walking activity is held every Friday evening. From the present venue at the Penang Botanical Gardens, we’ll venture into other places like Youth Park and Penang Hill,” she said. 

“Other health and wellness activities include weekly healthy diet lunch gathering and disseminating tips for healthy living,” she added. 

Apart from health impact, the DISTED staff health walk programme fosters collegiality...(front row, from left) administration manager Josephine Chan Ie Lyn, marketing manager Jane Goh Mei Ping, executive secretary Tan Keat Chooi, (back row, from left) library assistant James Teh Liam Teik, college president Dr Koo Wee Kor, academic services unit staff Quah Poh See, librarian Fairunizan Akbar Malik and finance manager Chia Choo Chin.

Sporting the fitness spirit are (from left) DISTED president Dr Koo Wee Kor and marketing manager Jane Goh Mei Ping. Cheering them on are (from right) executive secretary Tan Keat Chooi and academic services unit staff Quah Poh See.

DISTED executive secretary Tan Keat Chooi is attracted to walking for health benefits.

“Walking is a safe and easy exercise to do. Research has shown that walkers have less incidence of cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other killer diseases.

"Walking is also a great way to reduce stress and promote an overall sense of well-being,” she said.

“Life is not just being alive but also, to be well. Health brings happiness too,” she stressed. 

The health walk encourages DISTED staff to relax and appreciate the beauty of open natural space.

DISTED president Dr Koo Wee Kor communing with Mother Nature when taking a break during the health walk.

Academic services unit staff Quah Poh See added: “Walking burns calories for one to keep fit. 

“Brisk walking burns approximately the same amount of calories per kilometre as does running. It’s a good health blessing.”

“Other than the health impact, our organised walks are a great opportunity to strengthen collegiality and have a good time together as a distraction from everyday work stress,” she added.

Their maiden health walk took place at the Penang Botanical Gardens on 22 January 2010. Joining them was DISTED president Dr Koo Wee Kor.

The participants larking in the park during their health walk.