Every day Emily Eshenroder tries to walk a little bit farther.
The 2001 MSU graduate parks farther away in the grocery store parking lot and walks around her office a few times a day.
Eshenroder, like thousands of other Lansing-area residents, is participating in a communitywide program called “Step Up: 100 Days to Better Health.”
The initiative encourages residents to set individual goals for walking, running or jogging and then make a commitment to achieve the goals.
“It’s good to get the community involved in something and all have common goals,” Eshenroder said. “I’ve gotten a lot of my friends involved and we’re really excited about it.”
The program, which began on March 2 and ends June 9, is in its first year. More than 2,000 people in the area are participating in the program.
Organizers are encouraging participants to use pedometers, devices worn around the waist that track how many steps are taken each day. Ten thousand steps is an achievable goal for many participants, Eshenroder said.
“I’ve been counting my steps since January and I’ve definitely felt a difference,” Eshenroder said. “At first I thought I could get to 10,000 steps without even trying. Usually I get up to 7,000 or 8,000, but every day it gets a little easier.”
Pedometers usually cost between $15 to $30, but organizers are selling them for $20.
Cindy Hawken, spokeswoman for the American Heart Association, said pedometers are a good way for people to keep track of their progress.
“This encourages people to exercise little moments throughout the day,” Hawken said. “Maybe they will park farther from their office door, or do anything that will increase their steps throughout the day.”
Hawken thinks one of the reasons the program will be successful is because local groups are working together on the project.
“We all have our own resources,” she said. “Each of us has a group of volunteers and numerous contacts in different areas of health.
“We’ve been able to compliment each other really well.”
The initiative is sponsored by six local voluntary health agencies, including the American Heart Association. After 100 days, organizers will have a celebration for the participants.
Hawken said it’s important for college students to participate and try to maintain a healthy lifestyle, which ensures they won’t put on extra pounds during the first year of school.
“Students do a lot of walking just by the nature of their campus,” she said. “But everyone’s heard of ‘freshman 15,’ so this is a good time to establish healthy lifestyle habits.”
The National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive and Kidney Diseases reports only 22 percent of U.S. adults get the recommended regular physical activity of any intensity during leisure time.
Sherri King, coordinator for the Mid-Michigan Regional Fitness Council, said 30 minutes of exercise several times per week is all that’s needed to maintain good health and body weight.
“Besides reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, exercise also helps people who have diabetes and arthritis,” King said. “It helps keep weight at a healthy level and it’s been known to make people happier and help them have positive moods and attitudes.
“It’s just as important for college students to participate in this program because we’re starting to find high blood pressure and cholesterol problems at younger ages. Exercise helps people sleep better at night and that concerns people of all ages.”
