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Campaign Aims to Motivate 10 Million People Nationwide to take 10 Billion Steps and Encourages Communities to Assess and Improve Their Walkability The B.R. Ryall YMCA has announced it will be joining YMCAs nationwide in taking "small steps" to promote active living and healthy eating. Community members are invited during the week of September 22-29, to come to the B.R. Ryall YMCA to begin tracking their steps from a variety of activities taken either at home, at the YMCA or elsewhere during the week. The goal for "America On the Move Week with the YMCA" is to reach 10 million steps here in DuPage County, and 10 billion steps across the country during this designated week. This year, the YMCA is also incorporating neighborhood/community walkability assessments as part of its America on the Move Week with the YMCA activities. Community members are invited to join the YMCA by participating in walks and completing questionnaires to determine how "friendly" the community is for pedestrians and cyclists by rating criteria including room to walk, ease in crossing streets, behavior of drivers and general safety and pleasantness. "One of the most effective ways to increase physical activity is to incorporate it into everyday routines. Walking is an easy and accessible activity that people can do every day," said Ed Knapp, Executive Director of the B.R. Ryall YMCA. "Unfortunately, not all communities are built to promote physical activity. By getting more members of the community moving and helping assess their community's friendliness toward pedestrians of all abilities, the YMCA seeks to identify and break down barriers to active living." Chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes are our nation's leading killers, affecting 90 million Americans, young and old. "Increased physical activity and healthy eating is of critical importance to this community if we are going to prevent and control many of these illnesses," said Knapp. "That is why the B.R. Ryall YMCA, along with other YMCAs across the country, are working to provide supportive environments for community members to adopt healthy lifestyles and are beginning to work with community organizations and policy makers to make DuPage County a healthier place to live." Through America on the Move Week with the YMCA, the B.R. Ryall YMCA hopes to show anyone seeking a healthier lifestyle how making just small changes can get them on their way to wellness. Research by the America on the Move Foundation has shown that making two small daily changes - taking 2,000 more steps and eating 100 fewer calories - can prevent the average annual weight gain of one to two pounds. "People are often overwhelmed by the thought of drastic changes to diet and intense exercise programs. We are excited to partner with the YMCA to reach millions of Americans with the facts that just two small steps can reap big rewards over time," said James O. Hill, Ph.D., AOMF co-founder. America On the Move Week with the YMCA builds upon a national partnership between the YMCA and the America On the Move Foundation and aims to motivate and mobilize thousands of Americans to take small steps towards a healthier lifestyle. America On the Move is a national non-profit organization with the mission of improving the quality of life - for individuals, families, communities and society. PepsiCo and its Smart Spot® products are supporting this effort as a national sponsor of YMCA Activate America and the National Presenting Sponsor of America On the Move. America On the Move Week with the YMCA is part of the YMCA's national initiative known as YMCA Activate America ®. Activate America is the YMCA's bold approach to directly address our nation's lifestyle health crisis. Activate America shifts how we are working inside and outside the YMCA to engage all children, youth, adults and families whose successful pursuit of health and well being in spirit, mind and body requires continuous supportive relationships and environments. In addition to the national partnership with America On the Move Foundation, as an Activate America YMCA, B.R. Ryall YMCA is making a local, public commitment to intensify our role as a leader in supporting healthy living within our community. Specifically, here in DuPage County, the B.R. Ryall YMCA is offering support through scholarships to kids, adults, and families who want to live a healthy lifestyle but struggle to do so. Over 50 group fitness classes are available weekly allowing families to work out together. And teens, are offered TeenStart, a program that focuses on combating the problem of adolescent obesity, not only teaching them how to use exercise equipment and to develop healthy habits, but also the importance of the values in their lifestyle. The B.R. Ryall YMCA will be introducing our new Youth & Teen Center this fall, complete with Dance, Dance Revolution and the Nintendo Wii. We have a strong commitment to our community through our partnership with the Glen Ellyn Community Resource Center, and we are in the process of developing a relationship with the DuPage County Probation Department to start a healthy lifestyle program for high risk adolescents within our community. Community members interested in more information on events and activities
for the week should contact the B.R. Ryall YMCA at (630) 858-0100.
They can also log on to www.ymca.net to sign-up to track their steps
online and follow their progress on a new, interactive YMCA-themed
virtual trail that highlights the YMCA's long history of promoting
health and well-being. About YMCAs: As a valuable community resource, B.R. Ryall YMCA is proud to participate in YMCA Activate America, a national effort to help Americans live healthier lives. YMCAs serve 20.2 million people, including 9.5 million youth, through a broad range of community and health and wellness programs for over 150 years. YMCAs are for people of all faiths, races, ages, incomes and abilities. The B.R. Ryall YMCA has been serving DuPage County since 1919 with programs that support its mission - to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. From scholarships and programs for those who cannot affod it, to childcare programs that teach core values to the next generation of leaders, the YMCA's mission is evidenced in everything they do. For more information, visit www.brryallymca.org. About America On the Move: America On the Move Foundation
(AOM) is the leading non-profit organization fighting the obesity
epidemic by providing consumer-focused solutions for individuals,
families, organizations, and communities. Through its programs and
outreach, AOM initiates and maintains meaningful and measurable individual,
social, and environmental behavior changes that support healthy eating
and active living habits in our society. AOM's science-based programs
provide the support and tools that help individuals of all ages manage
weight effectively through energy balance. All programs are available
at www.americaonthemove.org.
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