City officials want residents to take a walk with them for health
EULESS -- The longest journey, so the saying goes, begins with a single step.
But Euless and Harris Methodist H.E.B. hospital officials are urging residents to push a little harder as they begin the road to fitness.
Steppin' Out, an event kicking off a community health program, will be April 24 to May 30. Participants will be urged to try to take 10,000 steps each day. They'll have walking buddies -- and moral support -- in City Council members, who will walk with them. And although it's Euless taking the initiative, anyone is welcome to put on their walking shoes and join in, City Manager Joe Hennig said.
Those who take part may pick up a free pedometer at any of five Euless locations beginning Monday, city officials said.
One in three Tarrant County residents is overweight, according to United Way Tarrant County and area health officials. And a report by Tarrant County health officials indicates that 64 percent of people 18 and older in Tarrant County were either overweight or obese in 2004, a greater proportion than statewide (61.5 percent) or nationwide (59.5 percent). United Way Tarrant County and city and county health officials have urged leaders in business, government, education and health to join efforts to fight obesity, which can contribute to health problems and higher medical costs.
Obesity is excessive body fat in relation to lean body mass, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Overweight refers to high body weight in relation to some height-based standard. Some overweight people are not fat, they have large muscle mass.
Euless City Council member Leon Hogg said people who wish to take part in the walks need not be intimidated if they are not fit.
"If they want to come and do a slow walk, come walk with me," Hogg said. "I'm diabetic, but I keep it under control with diet and pills. Sometimes I have a hip that hurts, and I can't power walk or walk very far. But I try to walk as much as I can. I hope a lot of people show up."
A fringe benefit: Those who walk with Hogg on April 25 at Heritage Park can learn about local history. The park houses Euless' first brick home, an old barn, a windmill and a log cabin, Hogg said.
Meanwhile, council member Linda Martin will lead Power Walk the Preserve on April 26. The walk begins at Bob Eden Park, and participants will be able to see native trees in a nature preserve. The trees will be labeled, she said.
"There are a lot of trees and shade, but I'm going out there rain or shine," she said. "I don't do a lot of walking, but I work out three times a week and figure I'm in good shape."
She said the 10,000 steps works out to three to five miles, depending on the length of each step.
Participants may register and complete a walking log and return it to the city before May 6 to receive gifts, city officials said.
But Euless and Harris Methodist H.E.B. hospital officials are urging residents to push a little harder as they begin the road to fitness.
Steppin' Out, an event kicking off a community health program, will be April 24 to May 30. Participants will be urged to try to take 10,000 steps each day. They'll have walking buddies -- and moral support -- in City Council members, who will walk with them. And although it's Euless taking the initiative, anyone is welcome to put on their walking shoes and join in, City Manager Joe Hennig said.
Those who take part may pick up a free pedometer at any of five Euless locations beginning Monday, city officials said.
One in three Tarrant County residents is overweight, according to United Way Tarrant County and area health officials. And a report by Tarrant County health officials indicates that 64 percent of people 18 and older in Tarrant County were either overweight or obese in 2004, a greater proportion than statewide (61.5 percent) or nationwide (59.5 percent). United Way Tarrant County and city and county health officials have urged leaders in business, government, education and health to join efforts to fight obesity, which can contribute to health problems and higher medical costs.
Obesity is excessive body fat in relation to lean body mass, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Overweight refers to high body weight in relation to some height-based standard. Some overweight people are not fat, they have large muscle mass.
Euless City Council member Leon Hogg said people who wish to take part in the walks need not be intimidated if they are not fit.
"If they want to come and do a slow walk, come walk with me," Hogg said. "I'm diabetic, but I keep it under control with diet and pills. Sometimes I have a hip that hurts, and I can't power walk or walk very far. But I try to walk as much as I can. I hope a lot of people show up."
A fringe benefit: Those who walk with Hogg on April 25 at Heritage Park can learn about local history. The park houses Euless' first brick home, an old barn, a windmill and a log cabin, Hogg said.
Meanwhile, council member Linda Martin will lead Power Walk the Preserve on April 26. The walk begins at Bob Eden Park, and participants will be able to see native trees in a nature preserve. The trees will be labeled, she said.
"There are a lot of trees and shade, but I'm going out there rain or shine," she said. "I don't do a lot of walking, but I work out three times a week and figure I'm in good shape."
She said the 10,000 steps works out to three to five miles, depending on the length of each step.
Participants may register and complete a walking log and return it to the city before May 6 to receive gifts, city officials said.
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