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National Start! Walking Day to be held April 8



What is an effective exercise that is free and convenient? Walking, which not only is free and accessible, but also one of the best forms of exercise.
 
To encourage walking for health, Health 1st, MUSC’s Employee Wellness Program, is collaborating with the American Heart Association to organize this year’s National Start! Walking Day on April 8.
 
Participating employees will gather during two different times (11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.) at two different locations, the Horseshoe and in front of Ashley River Tower. Each group will walk to the second site and back, and will receive a green apple when they reach the end of their 2/3-mile walk. The goal is to have at least 100 employees participate in the walk. Bring comfortable walking shoes to work on April 8 and join the fun with your friends and coworkers.
 
Now that spring is here, it is time to get outside and enjoy gorgeous weather and become more active.   According to “The Culprit and the Cure,” written by Steven Aldana, Ph.D., the following tips will help you improve walking and activity: walk briskly during lunch hour; park farther away from the store; take a family or solo walk after dinner; find an exercise buddy for work or home; use a push mower; walk your kids to their friend’s house; take longer walks with your dog; do yard work; get off the bus one stop early; pace the sidelines at your kids’ games; choose an exercise activity that you like; go to the park for a walk or bike ride; avoid labor-saving devices (i.e., use a rake, not a leaf blower); dance to music; choose activities you like so you will stick with them; take the stairs instead of the elevator; walk in place while watching TV; and walk instead of sitting.
 
To maintain your new healthy, more active habits, set realistic exercise goals. When you reach your goals, make sure to reward yourself. Ideas for rewards might include buying a new pair of walking shoes; getting a pedometer; buying a nice water bottle; or getting a massage.
 
More information on National Start! Walking Day will be featured on the Health 1st Web site at http://www.musc.edu/medcenter/health1st.

Editor's note: The preceding column was brought to you on behalf of Health 1st. Striving to bring various topics and representing numerous employee wellness organizations and committees on campus, this weekly column seeks to provide MUSC, MUHA and UMA employees with current and helpful information concerning all aspects of health.

Friday, March 27, 2009



The Catalyst Online is published weekly by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. The Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to The Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.