Step by step: Summerside woman walks to the front of the pack

Hennie Lispett, right, walked more than 300,000 steps in August and won the City of Summerside's Strut Your Stuff program. She takes a break with Krista Shields, who ran the program. - Contributed

SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — A Summerside woman walked more than 300,000 steps to win the city’s Strut your Stuff contest this summer.

For the month of August, Hennie Lispett was part of the twice-weekly walk on the Summerside Boardwalk.

“It was something for us to do while everything was slowed down,” said Lispett.

Lispett, 80, walks or visits the gym – or both – every day. She called the monthly total of 301,323 steps normal.

She and a friend head to the gym regularly to hit the weights and TRX equipment.

“We go to the gym three mornings a week and then after our workout we walk for an hour,” said Lispett. “It’s nice to have somebody to work out with, you seem like you work harder.”

👏 Way to go, Hennie!

👉 Hennie Lipsett was the winner of the Strut Your Stuff Walking Program with 301,323 steps in a month!#CommunityServices | #Summerside pic.twitter.com/Z3Xbcr8Fsa
— City of Summerside (@summersidePEI) September 10, 2020

Lispett has been active all her life and likes walking the best.

“It’s easy and it’s cheap. All you need is a good pair of sneakers.”

Lispett has won a one-month membership to Credit Union Place for strutting her stuff in August.

Did you know?

Here are some benefits of walking:

Improve circulation
Shore up your bones
Enjoy a longer life
Lighten your mood
Lose weight
Strengthen muscles
Improve sleep
Support your joints
Improve your breath
Slow down mental decline
Lower Alzheimer’s risk
Do more for longer

Source: arthritis.org

The structured program helped people get out and stay active safely during the pandemic said Mitch Shea, marketing and promotions co-ordinator with the city.

The Strut Your Stuff program was run by Krista Shields two mornings a week for 45 minutes.

“It provided two nice avenues to help people stay healthy – physically and socially,” said Shea.

Lispett agrees.

“I live by myself and I get very bored sitting at home so, if I get bored, I go out for a walk,” she said. “It’s my social time.”

Alison Jenkins is a local journalism initiative reporter, a position funded by the federal government, working in Prince County.