St. Joseph Health Center at Shelbourne Square is offering a complimentary 10-week Walking Program in conjunction with the Medical Fitness Association and AARP for those 50+.

The kick-off for the 10-Week Walking Program is August 3, 12:30 – 2:30 pm, at Shelbourne. The first 100 participants will receive a free pedometer, which they may use to log their own steps. Participants meet weekly to hear various exercise tips from Shelbourne’s exercise physiologists, as well as have opportunity to ask questions. Progress charts will be posted at Shelbourne, as well, to encourage some healthy competition.

“Our primary goals are to promote healthy activities and a healthy lifestyle for those fifty and over,” said Lisa Lindenmuth, Exercise Physiologist at Shelbourne.

The program will culminate with the 2010 Berks County Start! Heart Walk, held at St. Joseph Medical Center. The Start! Heart Walk involves more than a million people in 300+ cities across America taking a stand against heart disease and helping save lives!

Funds raised in Start! Heart Walk supports projects such as, putting up-to-the-minute research into doctors’ hands so they can better prevent and treat heart disease among patients, groundbreaking pediatric heart and stroke research, and getting life-saving information to those who need it most – information that can save a life, like how to eat better, how to recognize the warning signs of heart attack, and how to talk to a doctor about critical health choices.

“The 10-Week Walking Program is a great way to promote physical activity while learning more about heart healthy living. Take the first step to a heart healthy life.” said Monica Rush, MS, RN, Cardiac Rehab Manager. “Join us for the walking program in August. Join the rest of Berks County for the finale at the Start! Heart Walk - an event that is fun for the entire family. Please call (610) 404-2230 to register, or for additional information.”

Exercise Physiologists, Lisa Lindenmuth, MS, and Cheryl Tutella, MS, C.E.S, will be available for additional questions concerning the program, as guests on BCTV’s Health Today, Thursday, July 15, 7:30 pm.

Walking gets the feet moving, the blood moving, the mind moving. And movement is life. ~Carrie Latet