It’s not too late to join the 7th Annual Winter Warm-Up Challenge local exercise program sponsored by Community Partners in Health (cphlansing.com) and BlueCross BlueShield (bcbsm.com ). This free 10-week walking program is designed to help you build a regular physical activity and healthy eating routine. Every Saturday now through March 27, groups, families, and individuals meet at the Lansing Mall to enjoy exercise and learn about healthy eating. Incentive prizes and supportive updates are provided for all participants. Different activities are scheduled each week and include a Hula Hoop contest and Hopscotch tournament, Smoothies taste-testing, Pilates/Yoga demos, Diabetes information, and blood pressure checks every week.
New to the challenge this year is the partnership with the BCBS program WalkingWorks, which was created to help Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies motivate many of their nearly 99 million members to accomplish more walking every day, live healthier lives, and reduce the likelihood of costly health problems down the road. The program’s unique approach combines health promotion with consumer education, and is part of an ongoing effort to help citizens be wiser healthcare consumers.
Over the next 10 weeks, residents from 10 local municipalities will compete for a share of $8,000 in grant money funded by BCBS. The grants are intended to assist with improving public recreation, health, and wellness in the communities. Residents participate by signing up online and then recording how much walking they accomplish. Sign-up is quick and easy at cphlansing.com/registration.html. Once you’re signed up, you can chart your progress, check on how your community stacks up against the others, and access walking resources. Participating communities include the cities of Lansing, East Lansing, Grand Ledge, Charlotte, Williamston, and DeWitt and Delta, Meridian, Lansing and Delhi Townships. Walkers in several communities have already logged in over 1,000 miles! So, get up off the couch and join in the fun-you’ll be glad you did.
The Capital Area District Library has many resources available to help you with your exercise program and efforts at healthy living. Here are some examples of the books, DVDs, and magazines we have available :
Books
The Step Diet Book : Count steps, not calories to lose weight and keep it off forever by James O. Hill
Walk the Weight Away! : The easiest weight-loss program ever! by Andrew Flach & RoseMarie Alfieri
Walking : A complete guide to the complete exercise by Casey Meyers.
Video & DVDs
Blast away the pounds [videorecording] : indoor walk; Leslie Sansone’s walk slim [videorecording] : 4 fast miles! ; Walk your way slim [videorecording] / produced and directed by Andrea Ambandos.
Magazines
Fitness; Health; Prevention, Cooking Light; Weight Watchers
Capital Area District Library Reference Department
401 S. Capitol Ave., Lansing
(517) 367-6346
Email: fastfacts@cadl.org
Capital Area District Library Reference Department located at 401 S. Capitol Avenue in Lansing, MI. Contact them at 517-367-6346 or by e-mail at reference@cadl.org.
