Professional News

Getting Moving, UK

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 14, 2010) -- Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Kentucky. One of the major risk factors for heart disease is the lack of physical activity. Kentucky ranks among the top 10 states with sedentary lifestyles, and many say it's because they don't have the time or opportunity.

The American Heart Association's Start! Campaign is a wonderful opportunity to get more physical activity. UK Health & Wellness and UK HealthCare are working with the AHA to bring Start! Moving to the UK campus. Start! Moving is a physical activity program to fight heart disease and stroke by getting people moving through workplace walking programs.

All UK employees, retirees, and their spouses or sponsored dependents are challenged to take part in the Start! Moving Fall Challenge. The MyStart! Online program is a free and easy way to track physical activity and nutrition intake. As a bonus, participants can win great prizes by completing UK’s free, 10-week Start! Moving Fall Challenge. The challenge runs from Oct. 6 to Dec. 17.

Brisk walking for as little as 30 minutes a day can bring heart-healthy benefits and reduce one’s chances for stroke by lowering bad cholesterol (LDL) levels and high blood pressure. By making physical activity part of one’s everyday life one can begin to see other benefits, including:

*  helping keep weight under control

*  preventing bone loss

*  boosting energy level

*  managing stress

To celebrate the kickoff of the challenge, UK Health & Wellness will have a water tent set up from 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Oct. 6, between Rose Street and the William T. Young Library. Any UK employee who stops by the tent during their walk will receive a free gift and more information about the challenge.

For the first time, this fall teams of three to five people may register for a friendly competition.  The team with the highest average minutes will win an extra prize at the end of the 10-week challenge.

Register online by Oct. 11 at www.uky.edu/HR/wellness/ukstart.html.