Now able to walk regularly, Dianne's story is an encouraging one for those who know they need to make some changes to improve their health:

"I am a 56-year-old white female who was obese, at 5 feet 1 inch and weighing in at 230 pounds. I was on high blood pressure and high cholesterol medication for 6 years. My right knee had already given out and I had had a partial knee replacement six years ago, now with a stress fracture because of the weight. My spine has three bulging discs (confirmed from MRI). Sleep apnea and snoring were a problem also. I was on an inhaler for asthma and was told I was a walking time bomb for a stroke or a heart attack.

"I had gastric bypass surgery August 6, 2007. Since this time I have lost 88 pounds and am off all of the meds and no longer snore. I am having to walk and do exercise on a daily basis, which I was not able to do before.

"I feel like when I woke up from my surgery, my life changed in a way that I cannot express. I feel like when I woke up from the surgery, a new Dianne and body had taken the place of the old fat one who died on the table. I could not walk past a couple of houses in our neighborhood because of either being in pain from my joints or could not breathe without gasping for air. Now I can out-walk my husband, and he has to stop and take a breather.

"What I am trying to say to those who do not walk or who cannot do it because of health problems, if you start out slowly and keep working on it on a daily basis, then you have not failed, you have beaten the odds. A little bit of exercise and walking to start out with is better than just sitting there and not doing anything. Don't give up and give in, just keep on keeping on and walk for better health."

Shared on May 10, 2008 Share your story

We are walking east now in places like Garner and Clayton, but commuting back and forth to Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill for events. The good news is that Kathy Higgins and I hit the 350-mile mark this week, and on a personal note I weighed in at 20 pounds less today.

What is the bad news? We'll there's really no bad news, except that the beautiful, scenic mountains that surrounded us during the early weeks of the Million Step March have been replaced by scenes of Belk, Verizon, Williams-Sonoma and Dairy Queen stores. Do we really need to see strip malls, specialty stores and BBQ restaurants? Well, maybe the BBQ places!

The best news is that the area stops we've made (and will continue to make for a few more days) have been some of the best of the campaign. "The March" is in full swing now and it's clear that we are connecting with many, many people.

Following the halfway point "Rally in Raleigh," we made stops at places like Structure House, a live-in facility for morbidly obese people in Durham. It was a chance to take my personal message and the message of the Million Step March directly to people who struggle with weight and the staff who treats them. We also did some stops at various Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina locations where they cheered on one of their own – the simply unstoppable Kathy Higgins.

At WakeMed Hospital just today, I walked into a standing ovation and one of the sweetest crowds yet. Not bad when you haven't even said anything, right? Our group walks at all of our event stops have been a big hit as well. Dr. Don Bradley, who has been walking with us for over three weeks now, has been actually leading these walks – Kathy and I are saving our energy for the road.

We'll have video highlights of many of our stops very shortly. In the meantime keep your own health goals going, and keep on marching!

Posted by Gary Marino on May 9, 2008

I've just finished my second tour with the Million Step March, this time walking about 115 miles over nine days (to add to the 50 miles over the first four days of the march). I joined the team west of Greensboro and finished east of Clayton, traversing through Greensboro, Chapel Hill, Garner and Clayton.

Rather than provide a day-by-day travelogue, I thought I would write a few overarching themes. Walking four to six hours, an average of 13 miles a day, one has a fair bit of time to think.

First, hats off to Kathy and Gary. I may walk at a bit faster pace, but you're the ones doing this six days a week for 10 weeks. Slow and steady wins the race!

Next, I'm impressed by the number of folks who "get it." We visited several employer work sites, community centers, and city events, and each place has taken its own approach to motivating and providing resources for its unique environment and people.

I've also noted that the number of individuals logging their steps has grown at an accelerating rate as the March goes on. As of today, I see 5,400 people have taken more than 280 million steps to improve their health. Way to go and keep it up!

And speaking of keeping it up, I've developed my own need to walk on a daily basis. I'm building a habit, a routine that compels me to move. I've walked 165 miles (about 330,000 steps) with the MSM team and I've logged another 295,000 steps on the days I was with the MSM in spirit only. That's 625,000 steps so far, and I will do a million steps before the March is done in June.

The sense of accomplishment is a good motivator, but my sense of feeling healthier is a more critical driver. For the record, I've lost about seven pounds, and my clothes definitely fit better. But more important, I feel more energetic, I sleep better, and my urge to snack at night has dropped dramatically (my personal nutritional demon!). These benefits appeared quickly during my stint with the tour, and would not have required 13 miles a day. I really think it's a matter of increasing my activity level just a bit.

One of my colleagues told me that she had begun three one-mile walks a day (about 20 minutes apiece) and that she had noticed a quantifiable improvement in her endurance and sense of accomplishment. Another hats off to you – you know who you are!

So, does it all sound too rosy, too easy? Well, there are some downsides. First, walking four hours a day can be a bit monotonous unless you're a Zen master. On my off days I have taken up other activities – strength training, mowing the grass, jogging, cleaning the garage (not my favorite). After hauling junk out of the garage for a half day, walking was a relief.

Other cautions – use moderation when starting, and invest in good shoes and socks. Guest walkers with the MSM often find that doing 12 miles in one day leaves them stiff with aching or blistered feet. It's a big step, even with gradual training.

The point is that even the potential downsides to being more active can be avoided with a bit of planning, and the benefits are amazing.

As Gary Marino is fond of saying, it's not about weight loss, it's about commitment… and feeling better.

Posted by Don Bradley on May 8, 2008

Bud sent us a terrific story about his lifestyle changes. Note that his multiple means of getting physical activity have helped him feel much younger:

"Five years ago I was a roly-poly 199 pounds and lived for work. My wife encouraged me to join the local Y and to reduce my work hours and related stress.

"I agreed, and in addition to at least three visits a week to the gym, I added bicycling - serious bicycling - to my activity schedule. I love to swim with my grandchildren, not sit and watch them swim. Today, I'm a fit 170 pounds. I work as model part-time now. This week, I will ride 225 miles over two days on a tandem bike in Ohio with my son. And the best part: I'm nearing 65 years old but feel decades younger.

"Regular vigorous physical activity seems to have reversed the aging process for me!"

Shared on May 8, 2008 Share your story