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Lee Memorial Health
System’s team took more than 9.3 million steps during the
American Heart Association’s 2010 Start! Walking Challenge.
The Start! Challenge, which took place Oct. 4 through Nov. 12,
is geared toward encouraging healthier lifestyles in our
community. According to the AHA, just 30 minutes of
cardiovascular activity daily—such as walking—can greatly
improve your health and reduce the risk of heart attack or
stroke.
Our health system team members logged 9,385,671 steps during the
six-week Challenge. This means our 73 participants walked and/or
ran 4,692.84 miles—an average of 64.29 miles per participant.
We’ve really covered some ground these last few months.
We’re not the only ones. During this year’s Challenge, Lee
Memorial Health System competed against many other businesses
and organizations throughout the community. The winner of the
Challenge will be based on the average number of miles logged
per participating employee and will be announced and recognized
with a traveling trophy Dec. 11 at the Lee County Heart Walk.
However, the real prize is leading a longer and healthier life.
According to a Harvard University study, you can gain about two
hours of life expectancy for every hour of regular exercise,
even if you don’t start until middle age.
Just because the Start! Walking Challenge has ended for this
year does not mean it is too late to lace up your sneakers and
get moving. The AHA provides resources year-round on their
website, www.startwalkingnow.org, to help you get moving and
live your best possible life.
Take advantage of this fantastic website where you will have
access to an electronic tracker to log your miles, a community
of “sole-mates” who share your passion for walking and running
and maps of Start! walking paths that have been strategically
placed throughout Lee County. In fact, Lee Memorial Health
System—a designated “fit-friendly” company by the AHA—has Start!
walking paths at all of our hospital locations.
So, get moving and live your best possible life.
Hope to see you at the AHA’s Lee County Heart Walk, which takes
place the morning of Dec. 11 at Centennial Park in Fort Myers.
If you have not done it before, it is impressive to see
thousands of Lee County residents—led by hundreds of Lee
Memorial Health System team members—walking over the
Caloosahatchee River.
Peace,
Jim Nathan
President, Lee Memorial Health System
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