10,000 steps for asthma

An east Auckland resident is averaging 10,000 steps daily in a bid to raise awareness and money for the respiratory community.

Respiratory conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and sleep apnoea affect 700,000 (one in six) New Zealanders.

Aimee Scott, owner of local gym Aimz Fitness, is one of those many Kiwis, having dealt with asthma since she was a child.

The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation (ARFNZ) is asking Kiwis to challenge themselves to do at least 16 minutes of lung exercise a day during the annual Breathe Better September.

Participants set themselves, their families or their teams up with a challenge that suits them – anything from taking the stairs at work or performing a dance – and, in the process, get sponsored by friends and family.

All the proceeds raised go to ARFNZ for awareness, advocacy, research and support for people living with respiratory conditions.

Scott’s challenge for September is to walk an average 10,000 steps every day. She told the Times she set that goal for the purpose of it being consistent, doable, and maintainable past September.

“But while this (asthma) is my biggest struggle, it is also what makes me strong,” she says. “I live, breathe, walk and talk fitness to my clients. The importance of being fit and healthy is an investment we should all put at the top of our list.

“I want to give them (Kiwis with asthma) hope with my story that living with asthma doesn’t mean you can’t participate in exercise, but that exercise should be used to help improve the strength of your lungs and help you understand breathing to improve symptoms.”

Scott raised $1400 for the same goal last year.

ARFNZ chief executive Letitia Harding says as the foundation receives no government funding it’s dependent on donors, sponsors and community funding organisations.

“We rely heavily on generous Kiwis like Aimee who understand the seriousness of respiratory conditions and who want to make a difference. We are so grateful for all her efforts.

“She is fantastic example of someone who has not allowed her condition to be a barrier to a full and active life.”

AFRNZ hopes to raise at least $20,000 to put towards its work for the respiratory community.

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