Walking in the News

AHA Board Member Bernard Tyson: Taking the First Step to a Healthier Lifestyle

Each April, the American Heart Association sponsors National Walking Day, one day a year when employees are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes to work and take at least 30 minutes out of their day to get up from their desk and walk. The purpose is to raise awareness of the importance of physical activity and a healthier lifestyle. This year, I encouraged everyone to use National Walking Day to begin or reinvigorate a personal commitment to walking.

With Americans spending more time at work than ever before, and much of that time sedentary at a desk, it is more important than ever that employers encourage their employees to make time to engage in physical activity. The single largest health threat to every one of us is heart disease: 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women are at risk for heart disease. While genetics do come into play, studies show that physical inactivity doubles the risk of heart disease. And it’s not only heart disease. Physical inactivity can also increase our risk for diabetes and cancer.

I love my job and get energy and enjoyment from the work I do. As president of a large, national health care organization, I work long hours and am not always home to eat healthy, home-cooked meals or to go to the gym regularly. I log many air miles and hotel points traveling to visit our Kaiser Permanente hospitals, medical offices and customers. During my time on the road, I often take a personal walking tour of the many cities I visit as well as use the hotel gym. That's why for me, walking is an easy way to live a healthier lifestyle. It doesn’t take fancy equipment and you don’t need to dress up or drive somewhere to get involved. All you need is a pair of walking shoes.

You can keep a pair of sneakers under your desk or in your car. Encourage a co-worker to join you for a walking meeting instead of meeting in the conference room. Join a walking club. Catch up with your neighbor on a walk instead of on the front lawn. Make a walking date. Dust off the stroller and walk your child to the park after work or on the weekend.

April’s National Walking Day was a great reminder of the importance of leading a healthier lifestyle and a simple way for employers and employees to take the first step toward health. Equally important is to continue to thrive. Walking 30 minutes a day, five days a week can improve your overall health and prevent disease. So dust off those sneakers and get up from your desks, America. Together, we can walk our way to better health.

Bernard J. Tyson is president and chief operating officer of Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and Health Plan, Inc. He also sits on the Board of Directors for the American Heart Association.

Source: American Heart Association
April 24, 2012
https://volunteer.heart.org/SiteAssets/NewsDetails.aspx?newsid=3036

Post Title : Walking in the News