Start! Moving Summer Challenge Begins

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 12, 2010) – Simple steps can help beat Kentucky's number one cause of death, heart disease.

Exercising for as little as 30 minutes each day can reduce the risk for heart disease significantly. That's what the Start! Movement is all about. Walk more. Eat better. Live a longer, healthier life.

UK Health & Wellness and UK HealthCare are sponsoring the American Heart Association's Start! Campaign, a physical activity initiative to fight heart disease and stroke by getting people moving through workplace walking programs.

Those who need help making physical activity a habit can join the Start! Moving Summer Challenge. To participate in the challenge, sign up for the free MyStart! Online program at www.uky.edu/HR/wellness/ukstart.html. It's an easy way to track physical activity and nutrition intake, and participants can win prizes by completing UK's Start! Moving Summer Challenge, a free 10-week physical activity challenge for UK employees, retirees, spouses and sponsored dependents.

UK's Summer Challenge kicks off with the Start! Group Walk at noon June 2 at the sidewalk between William T. Young Library and Rose Street. In case of rain, meet in the Young Library Gallery Room. There will be prize drawings.

The Summer Challenge runs from June 2 to Aug. 13. Register by June 7. For more information and to register online, visit http://www.uky.edu/HR/wellness/ukstart.html