5,684 miles. That’s how far a group of 32 Independence Plus employees walked from January 1 to April 30, 2013. What’s more impressive is that same group lost a total of 134.9 lbs.
So, how did they do it? They all pledged to live healthier in 2013 by making small changes one day at a time, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator, cutting soda out of our diet and replacing it with water, or practicing meditation or yoga to reduce stress. On January 1, they kicked off their wellness journey with a Commitment Day 5K run/walk.
According to Novartis Nutrition, the average American takes about 2,300 to 3,000 steps daily, which is close to 1.5 miles. Studies suggest that taking 10,000 steps a day makes a huge impact on body fat and waist and hip measurements.
To accomplish their goal of 10,000 steps per day, they purchased a pedometer to measure their steps. They started a “brief walk with co-workers” every day at noon and signed up for various run/walks in the area to support some of our favorite causes. Last week, the group participated in the Lurie Children’s Hospital’s Move for the Kids 5K run/walk to help keep up their momentum!
Our employees also helped motivate each other by sharing their personal stories. Here are a few of their tips:
- Walk to the grocery store instead of driving – not only will you increase your steps, but you also get the added benefit of carrying your groceries home. Gabby
- Take your dog on a longer walk than normal. If you don’t have a dog, consider taking a walk with a family member. Liz
- Replace sugary breakfast foods with fruit and other high-fiber options. Debbie
What changes have you made to benefit your health and wellness this year? Share your tips with us!
