4th Annual Community Walking Program

While many Schuyler County residents may have resolved to lose weight or get healthy for 2010, Schuyler Hospital has resolved to help fight obesity, diabetes and hypertension with their 4th annual Schuyler Steps Out free community walking program.Open to anyone who works or lives in Schuyler County, the program kicks off on Wednesday, February 24, 2010, with an opening celebration and information session.While many teams are workplace-based, service clubs, churches, and even scouts can form teams. All that’s required is walking daily for 8 weeks (reduced from 12 weeks), logging steps walked with pedometers, and reporting to the Hospital weekly. At the end of the 8-week program, awards are given for most team steps, most valuable “players,” and most improved.”We have been excited to see past participants lose weight, reduce use of medications, and improve fitness,” said Schuyler Hospital President and CEO, Rick Stelzer. “The program is free and open to all, so we encourage everyone to get your pedometers and get walking!”The 2010 program will run March 1, 2010, through April 25, 2010. Teams are required to register by February 8, 2010, and should plan to attend the 2010 kick-off at the Hospital on February 24th.In 2009, a record 662 walkers on 33 teams logged 673 million total steps, or 337 thousand miles – the equivalent of 13-1/2 trips around the Earth.Schuyler Steps Out is a partnership between Schuyler Hospital, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, Wal-Mart, Sullivan Trail Red Cross, Lakewood Vineyards, and Chemung Canal Trust Company.For more information, or to sign up your team, contact Community Relations Director, Michelle Benjamin at (607) 535-8879 or stepsout@schuylerhospital.org