Start! Walking Day 2010

National Start Walking Day is promoted on the first Wednesday of April. This year it falls on the 7th. The American Heart Association wants to educate adults nationwide, to prompt them to commit to start walking more, with an emphasis on staying active in the workplace. Employees who take time out of their day every day are more productive, and cost their employers less in lost productivity and increased health care costs.

On April 25th, 2007, ConAgra Foods promoted and participated in the first Start! Walking At Work Day. In the American Heart Association's toolkit, companies can find simple templates for organizing a company-wide event no matter how large or small the workforce. The AHA's message is simple: put on your walking shoes, and get moving for 30 minutes. By getting corporations and offices involved in an event like Start! Walking Day, it brings home the need for workplaces to assist their staff in staying active, and the direct fiscal benefits the company can enjoy from employing a healthier workforce.

If your company isn't participating in a Start! Walking Day event, you can attend more general events. In Southern California, several venues are helping you to get out and walk around:

*Anaheim, CA: On April 7th, 2010, get started at the Anaheim Regional Medical Center, at 1111 W. La Palma Ave, 92801. The event will run from 11am until 1pm. Visit: http://events.nbclosangeles.com/anaheim-ca/venues/show/2011265-national-start-walking-day for more information.

*San Diego, CA: On April 7th, 2010, meet for a fun event, including free Subway sandwiches, demonstrations, and giveaways! The event will be held at the San Diego Concourse Plaza, at 202 C St, San Diego CA, 92101. Visit: www.sdheart.org for more information.

*Bakersfield, CA: On April 7th, 2010, the local AHA chapter is meeting at Chevron, 9525 Camino Media, 93311. The event kicks off at 10am. Visit: http://www.bakersfieldnow.com/insideeyewitness/community/89144842.html for more information.

If you can't find an event near you, organize one with the AHA's free toolkit, and keep the activity going all year by checking listings for other walk events. In the LA and OC, you'll find tons of events for all fitness levels and ages on http://www.raceplace.com/crunla.shtml.