National Start! Walking Day -April 7, 2010

No, they're not in the matchmaking business. They just want you to wear your sneakers to work April 7 and ask your co-workers to walk for 30 minutes to prevent heart disease.

It's a matter of life. National Start! Walking Day kicks off April 7, when adults across America can pledge to walk 30 minutes a day. Companies can motivate their employees to walk by having a human resources representative or other staff member download a registration form for the National Start! Walking Day toolkit. It includes posters, e-mail scripts, flyers and a how-to guide.

The AHA targets the workplace because people today spend more time at work than ever before, and a job sitting behind a desk can lead to inactivity and weight gain. But this can change if people start moving, because every hour of exercise, including brisk walking, can add two hours to a person's life.

Not a bad return, especially when it's ok to break the 30 minute walk into 3 ten minute walks. National Start! Walking Day made its debut April 25, 2007, with the goal of increasing awareness among the population that physical activity and heart-healthy living leads to a better life.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 67% of adults over age 20 are overweight and 34% of adults over 20 are obese.

But does walking really help? The American Council on Exercise (ACE) developed the walking program in collaboration with AHA, because walking is an exercise in which almost anyone can participate and it doesn't require special equipment. It also tends to be the exercise that more people continue doing once they get started.

Additionally, walking reduces the risk of heart disease, improves blood pressure and blood sugar levels, helps maintain body weight, increases mental fitness, reduces the risk of osteoporosis, breast and colon cancer, and of non-insulin dependent (type 2) diabetes.

Individuals can monitor their progress online with the tracker, which allows them to record walking times or distances, and to plot and save walking routes. Also, daily snacks and meals can be logged and tracked.

Companies or offices participating in National Start! Walking Day can also create a healthier environment by encouraging employees to snack on fruits and vegetables. After all, employers benefit with a healthier workforce.
According to the AHA, a poor diet and lack of exercise account for 25 percent of healthcare costs of working adults. Research shows that companies can receive up to $3 for every one dollar spent on making the workplace healthier.

So get ready to walk April 7--your Soul-Mate awaits!

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3053117

http://www.acefitness.org/default.aspx

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/overwt.htm