THE Fiji Electricity Authority struck a blow for health when it took out the first ever Protex 30 Days Workplace Fitness Challenge.
The fitness challenge was organised by Colgate-Palmolive, The Ministry of Health and the Fiji Physiotherapy Association to fight the onset of non-communicable diseases in the workplace.
The Protex 30 Days Workplace Fitness Challenge had the participation of 34 organisations divided into 61 teams with a total of 703 participants.
The six-member FEA team lost an average of over four kilograms per person to take home the prizemoney of $1000.
Colgate-Palmolive general manager Nicholas Ryan said the competition was their way of helping in the fight against NCDs.
"We're very happy with how things went and for this first-time it was a very good result.
"After this success and the amount of interest shown we will be looking at doing it again next year," Mr Ryan said.
FEA team captain Juliet Tuqa said her team had followed individual training programs and all had realised the benefits of getting into shape.
"We all had to give up on alcohol and some of us even went vegetarian for the duration of the challenge," she said.
Ministry of Health national adviser NCDS Dr Isimeli Tukana said his ministry was committed to protecting the health of the nation's workers through proper programs.
He echoed the sentiments of Fiji Physiotherapy Association president Cathy Wong who called on participants in the challenge to maintain the healthy lifestyles they had adopted.