Shoalhaven councillors were paired up with local journalists, and did as many steps as they could in the hours between 9am-5pm on Wednesday to encourage residents to adopt healthy lifestyle choices.

Cr Pakes smashed South Coast Register journalist Rob Crawford out of the park – 18,303 steps to 10,141 steps.

I participated, and was unwittingly paired with dynamo nurse Cr Nina Cheyne.

Fortunately I caught her on a day of relative inactivity and won 8440 steps to 5600 steps.

Radio host Stretto beat Cr John Levett 15,510 steps to 5625, and Chris Firth got pipped by Cr Annette Alldrick 8790 to 7592 steps.

Cr Kaye Gartner’s gallant efforts were rewarded with a win over Milton Ulladulla Times journalist Emily Barton 12,500 steps to 7599.

And in another win for the journos, Milton Ulladulla Times reporter Jess McInerney beat Cr Patricia White 7527 steps to 4500 steps.

On a personal note, has been a pleasure to take part in the challenge.

Since I moved back to the South Coast six months ago, I have been so focused on settling into my new home, meeting new friends and reconnecting with old ones, and the job, of course, physical activity has been placed on the back-burner.

It is easy to make excuses, easier than putting on the joggers and heading out for a run.

But this challenge, and the 5kg I’ve gained since I moved here, has inspired me to do better.

Knowing myself, I need to exercise at least four times a week to feel good, so I signed up to play two summer sports, futsal and AFL nines, and I’ll be jogging twice a week on top of that.

I am not a morning person, I don’t even think I am a person in the morning, not before coffee but thanks to daylights savings I can exercise after work before the sun sets.

Wish me luck!