Join area companies organizing walks, or host your own!

Research indicates that American jobs have become dangerously more sedentary, and walking is the single most effective way for many sedentary Americans to establish and continue a healthy lifestyle to improve their heart health.

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, sponsor of My Heart. My Life. Roanoke, is challenging Roanoke companies, organizations and families to get out and walk April 4 and take their first steps toward a longer and healthier life. Several Roanoke companies are already demonstrating their commitment to a healthy work environment and are encouraging employees to wear their sneakers to work and take walks during the day.

Organize your own walk, or join us at the American Heart Association:

• Where: American Heart Association (4504 Starkey Rd.) next Roanoke Athletic Club
• When: Noon on Wednesday, April 4
• What: Participants will walk around the South Park office park campus, joining thousands of people participating in National Walking Day and making a commitment to increased activity. We’ll be distributing Start! walking kits for companies, door prizes, Roanoke Athletic Club passes, bottled water and portable electronic carrying cases to let you stay in touch while you walk!
• Who: Ally Bowersock, Ph.D.,CSCS, Assistant Professor, Health & Exercise Science at Jefferson College of Health Sciences, will share tips on how to start an individualized fitness program.

“Anthem is very pleased to be participating in National Walking Day,” said Burke King, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia. “We value the health and well-being of our employees, and we’re thrilled to encourage healthy behavior in our workplace. I hope many area companies will join us by putting on their sneakers and walking at work on April 4.”

Walking has many proven health benefits. In fact, adults may gain as much as two hours of life expectancy for each hour of regular, vigorous exercise–like very brisk walking–even if they don’t begin exercising until middle age.

“Nearly 70 percent of adults get no regular physical activity,” said Mark Dempsey, Vice-President, Appalachian Power Company and 2012 Roanoke Heart Walk Chairman. “Yet contrary to common perceptions, physical activity is just as important in preventing heart disease as other modifiable risk factors including smoking, cholesterol and blood pressure.”

My Heart. My Life.  is sponsored nationally by SUBWAY® Restaurants and locally by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. For more information, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit www.heart.org/start.

Submitted by Michelle Nostheide, American Heart Association.