News Releases

January 28, 2002
Community-wide project to promote physical fitness

West Georgia Health System and District Four Public Health Services will sponsor the AIM for 10,000 Steps community-wide exercise program beginning March 23. Registration will be held at Coleman Community Health Center March 17 - 21, and also on Saturday, March 22 at Kroger on Commerce Avenue and the LaGrange Mall from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Additional registrations will be held Monday, March 17 to Friday, March 21, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Manchester Health Center and Greenville Health Center, and also Saturday, March 22, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., during Family and Friends Day at Greenville High School.

Held in honor of National Nutrition Month, this month-long program consists of using a highly sensitive pedometer, which can be clipped to a pocket or waistband, to measure the number of steps each person takes in one day.By adding enough steps to this routine number to total 10,000, participants can achieve the equivalent of a daily workout.

"Exercise has been proven to promote weight control, increase energy, and reduce the risk of heart attacks, stroke, and other diseases," says Linda Mack, MS, RD, CDE, Director of Nutrition Services for WGHS. "Studies also show that the exercise does not have to be a 'formal' program, but can consist of a brisk walk for 10 minutes, 3 times a day, or walking 10,000 steps every day."

She states that "10,000 steps can be easily be achieved by taking the stairs, parking farther away in the parking lot, taking a quick walk after lunch, walking to meetings, etc.

The $25 adult registration fee includes a pedometer, t-shirt, personal radio, walking diary, and other program materials.The 10,000 Steps program will culminate with the 2003 American Cancer Society Relay for Life walk on April 25-26.Program participants may join the other walkers for the event.

Additional sponsors include the City of LaGrange, Kroger, and the LaGrange Mall. To learn more about the program, call (706) 845-3185.