Jennifer's Share Your Story item shows how starting with just a little physical activity can lead to a healthy, active and enjoyable lifestyle:

"Two years ago I was a size 18 and out of shape. I wanted to get healthy to try for a 5K - something I had always wanted to do, but had never run farther than a mile at one time. I started training, and now I'm a size 8 and have lost 50 pounds.

"I finished my first 10K this spring and hope to run a 10-miler in the fall. Maybe a half-marathon after that. I'm just glad to be healthy. I weigh less than I ever have in my (adult) life! I have a healthy BMI and am comfortable in my swimsuit for the first time. I lift weighs two to three times a week. I play basketball twice a week. I do yoga once a week and run five to six days a week. I also ride my bike, swim and play volleyball whenever I can.

"I'm very active now and love every minute of it. My four daughters have to keep up with me now instead of me trying to keep up with them!"

Shared on June 10, 2008 Share your story

A Share Your Story item from Sharon points to a successful approach to staying in shape and maintaining a healthy weight:

"I walked faithfully five to seven days per week for two to four miles each time, but did not have the weight control I have now until I added weight training at the YMCA three times per week (30 minutes on the 18 Nautilus machines). Also, choosing foods with low glycemic impact in mind has helped. I have now KEPT the 30 pounds off I lost in 2005 when I added the weight training to the aerobics.

"About eight to 10 hours per week of exercise is not drudgery at all. I belong to the Uwharrie Running Club now and am meeting the nicest people and enjoying running nearly every day. Even in this unusually hot weather, the early morning runs are very doable and exhilarating!"

Shared on June 9, 2008 Share your story

Staying in shape and playing sports often go hand-in-hand. Today we learn how weight training is paying off for Spence, who's enjoying success on the playing field:

"Last year about this time I started a program of weight training. The equipment was available at my place of employment so it was easy to take advantage.

"I had a wonderful buddy who helped me learn the most effective and safe methods of weightlifting. My goal was to better my performance in church softball this year in addition to maintaining my usual 60 minutes or more of activity per day.

"Yesterday, opening day of the season, with temperatures in the low 100s, I drove in six runs, hit safely four times and had an inside-the-park grand slam. I'm sure the regular weight training contributed to my success on the field. I'm 55 years old."

Shared on June 9, 2008 Share your story

Throughout the Million Step March, Kathy and Gary are joined by a guest walker from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. Kimberly Hargrove, a customer service specialist at BCBSNC, joined the walk last week near Fayetteville and gave us this report from the road:

I must say that after last week, I can't be the same! When I was chosen to participate in the Million Step March, it felt like winning the lottery. To me it was a long shot. I mean, I was probably in the worst shape I have ever been in my whole life, and my three beautiful and vivacious kids were paying for it. I was in denial. I thought, "Hey, I've been an athlete all my life. I can never be out of shape." I was wrong, and after having kids, reality set in and I had to come to terms that I don't get enough physical activity - and some weeks I wasn't getting any. I needed an intervention, and BCBSNC gave me that, and I couldn't be happier or more appreciative.

I had a short week because of the holiday, so we got started early Tuesday morning. I met the road crew and Gary and Kathy, and I must say I had never felt so comfortable around a group of strangers in my life. Gary is the definition of "real" and Kathy is an inspiration!

About two miles in we were joined by Gary's longtime friend, Russ Surrette, and he added many laughs to the journey. At first I thought while walking, "This is easy. The pace isn't grueling and although I'm out of shape for the most part, I'm keeping up." But then reality set in. In the words of fitness instructors everywhere, I started "feeling the burn." But Kathy made sure that I was stretching and wasn't pushing myself to the point of injury. She would always assure me that even if I don't do 15 miles, the miles that I can do are all worthwhile! She would say, "Take this time to really focus on your health, Kim," and for once I was.

By day two, however, we traded in our sun for rain. I was so sore I couldn't feel my legs anyway. The rain was icky at times, and walking and dodging huge mud puddles was the task of the day so everyone picked up the pace to try to get the miles in a little quicker. Once I got loose it was better and I could feel my body starting to relax, and my feet were practically moving on their own. The ride home was uncomfortable because our backs were wetter than our fronts, but Gary and Russ had jokes galore to make the ride enjoyable. I also got a nickname from Gary. For the rest of the week I was known as "Little Kim."

A few hot baths and bag of Epsom salts later, I was leading the pack for a while on day three. I finally got over my plateau and I was feeling good. The wind felt good on my face even if it was courtesy of the big stinky livestock 18-wheelers that flew past. I just kept thinking of how I couldn't stop now if I wanted to.

My mind raced with thoughts of how to incorporate 10 miles a day into my schedule (just kidding - more like two or three, but that's still good compared to the zero I was doing before I left). We were joined on that day by another BCBSNC employee, Mark Stinneford from Corporate Communications. He was a great guy and he added even more humor to the pot. I also began to look around at my surroundings more and appreciate what a beautiful state we live in. I thought to myself that you really don't even notice these things when you're driving by so fast, but when you're walking you see everything.

My last day was bittersweet because I had begun to miss my kids, but I really didn’t want to leave. We had two events that Friday at Stoney Point and Bill Hefner elementary schols in Fayetteville. They were having a great contest between them to see which third grade could take the most steps during their day, and they had fabulous prizes for the winning school, teacher and top five third-graders. The children's excitement and energy was infectious! If adults had half that much energy we would not have an obesity epidemic.

After my walk last week, the hard part was over. The pains in my limbs are gone and I feel great and very energetic. To be healthy you have to make a lifestyle change, and I am making the decision to do just that. Change is necessary and it's guaranteed to happen, so why not go with it? Besides, I'm hoping that over the next few months instead of me telling my kids to slow down, they'll be telling me that.

I am just an average person. I'm not getting paid to say anything about BCBSNC or write nice things about my experience. I was just lucky enough to be afforded this opportunity. But we don't necessarily need to walk 600 miles to make a difference in our health; we just need to take the first step in the right direction. Small changes in our daily routines can do so much. Take the stairs instead of the elevators or park farther from the store than you usually do. If you don't want to do it for your family, do it for yourself. We only get one body and it is past time for us to start treating it better.

I just want to say thanks a million to Gary, Kathy, Russ and Tangela and the other road crew and BCBSNC employees that have worked so hard to make this a success. You guys have really changed my life. I owe you big time!

Kimberly Hargrove

Shared on June 5, 2008 Share your story