We are back in farm country now… or at least back in the woodsy areas east of the Triangle. Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill seem like forever ago already. All eyes are on Greenville - the next big prize here on "The March." That's the next big stop for the walk team and the area where most of our events will be for a while.

We've come up with our own terms to describe this leg of the walk. "Farmlike" is one. "Forrest Gumpish" is another which describes farms with their own family cemeteries.

I've been here before. Greenville, Wilson and Mount Olive are nostalgic for me in a way. I walked through this area and probably on some of these very same roads back in 2004 as part of my Florida to Boston "Million Calorie March" campaign. I recognize the terrain (and maybe some of the barbecue places... but I digress.)

Of course it's not 2004 anymore. The obesity issue has really come to the forefront of the media and the nation's consciousness since my first walk of the eastern seaboard four years ago. Our campaigns have gone from philanthropist-funded, grass-roots efforts to partnering with a great company like Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. Books have been written. Movies have been made (our documentary film "Million Calorie March" premieres at the Jacksonville Film Festival in Florida this weekend!) No, it’s definitely not 2004 anymore.

I'm a Dad now to 21-month-old Desi James Marino. He is what my health goals are about these days. It's not about the "quick fix" but rather about the long-term fix. It's about being around for our kids and grandkids, right? That's the stuff that matters. The Million Step March campaign is about all North Carolinians living long and productive lives.

See you in Greenville!

Posted by Gary Marino on May 16, 2008

Throughout the Million Step March, Kathy and Gary are joined by a "guest walker" from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. Jeanne Ridpath, a purchasing specialist at BCBSNC, joined the walk in Garner and gave us this report from the road:

I am just settling in after an amazing three days of walking with a great group of folks. The experience of walking through my "back yard" of North Carolina was one that I will never forget. I will have such fond memories of our days on the road and I am very grateful for the trusted leadership of Kathy Higgins and Gary Marino.

Being a fairly inexperienced hiker (usually I prefer a nice pool or air conditioned gym, with a treadmill with a built-in TV), I followed the lead of the walkers before me. When Kathy or Gary got up on shoulder of the road, I followed suit because they knew tricks of the road. By the time I met up with them, they were halfway through North Carolina. I went on blind faith that by watching their example, I would be able to make it the full duration of our mapped-out route that day. And I am very proud and humbled that I never had to request the assistance of the infamous "rescue van." I was able to walk the entire designated route, from Garner to Wilson in three days while visiting some employer groups a long the way.

You see, I understand the struggle with obesity and unhealthy lifestyle choices. Over three years ago, I was 245 pounds and smoked more than a pack of cigarettes a day. I knew I had to make some lifestyle changes because my health was becoming progressively worse. The rest of the story is a story of people who believed in me when I was having a hard time believing in myself some days.

I consistently needed the affirmation of the scale and those who loved me and cared to see me succeed in my journey. From the cards of encouragement of my family and friends, to my co-worker who gave me $25 for the first 25 pounds I lost so I would treat myself to clothes that fit! Not only did I have to succeed for myself, but for my co-workers too. I needed to show folks that if I can exercise, eat sensibly and quit smoking one day a time, not only would I be helping myself, but I would prove that yes, it can be done. Not easy some days, but success is achievable if you put one foot in front of the other, literally. Today I am 90 pounds lighter and on May 20, it will be three years since my last cigarette.

I feel that my participation in the Million Step March campaign has brought me back to the basics. Sometimes we get busy and complacent and forget where we've come from and lose sight of of our priorities.

I have gained about 10 pounds in the last year and I’m not too thrilled about it, but this walk has excited me enough to start doing better. By working and walking with Kathy and Gary, I am once again focused on what I need to be doing with to get myself back on track. If you haven't had a chance to walk with the team, I encourage you to sign up and log your steps at www.betterhealthnc.com. You will be amazed about how much better you will feel and how much more energy you will have!

Jeanne Ridpath

Shared on May 15, 2008 Share your story

Alisa can tell the difference between being inactive and getting regular physical activity:

"I normally walk a mile or two a day. I had stopped doing so, and anything I did would make me tired. Since I began to exercise again and walk again on a daily basis, my lungs seem to be clearer and my breathing is less shallow.

"I have more energy to do the things that I have to do and I do not feel sluggish like I did when I would sit around and not exercise on a regular basis. Walking each day really makes a difference."

Shared on May 14, 2008 Share your story

Starting and staying with a walking program can be more fun in a group. Here's what Donna is sharing about her successes:

"In January 2007, I visited my hometown of 27 years, Los Angeles. We now live in North Carolina. Well, everyone I knew in Los Angeles was on the 10,000-step program. So, I brought it back to N.C.

"Several of my friends and I started a morning walking regimen to get a start on the day. We meet at 8 a.m. and walk for one hour, generally completing between three and four miles. Bottom line success: I've lost 26 pounds in one year. We continue to meet and walk. It is fun and healthy."

Shared on May 12, 2008 Share your story