"Share Your Story" items keeping coming in, including this one from Kathy M. Remember, if you'd like to inspire the Million Step March team by telling us your brief story of getting physically active and living healthier, please go to the Share Your Story link on this page.
"I was at 249 pounds on June 30, 2007. I started to change the way that I eat, and walk five miles per day.... no matter what the weather. I am now at 159 pounds and feeling better than I ever have in my life. Lifestyle change and walking saved my life. I have recently turned 50 and feel that I have the rest of a wonderful life ahead."
Once you take that first step toward physical activity, you begin to see new opportunities. This brief account we received from Jack today, with a photo, shows how quickly his life has changed for the better:
"I started running on July 7th of 2007. I did not realize how it would change my life. Since July 7th I have lost 54 pounds, I have run two half marathons, and completed the Myrtle Beach Marathon in 4:19. I am now currently training for two sprint triathlons. I feel better about myself and have more energy for my twin 8-year-old boys."
Laura has shared this note about wearing a pedometer and finding some simple ways to include extra steps in her routine:
"This contest has already motivated me to make changes, even if small ones at first. My pedometer is challenging me every minute to add little steps to my route, and today, I even walked to lunch and got an extra 1.5 miles in to boot! My dog is much happier because she gets those extra steps when I get home from work. She gets extra long walks! Thanks for this motivation."
At Tuesday's big kickoff event in Asheville, Mayor Terry Bellamy was kind enough to stop by and join the Million Step March team for the first leg of the walk.
BCBSNC's Dawn Porter chatted briefly with the mayor and captured her impressions in this video segment. She's a great advocate for physical activity, as you can tell in her brief comments.
The mayor's office, the city, the Asheville Chamber and others were great hosts for the kickoff. Not sure if they were responsible for the great weather, but we'll give them credit anyway!
