If you have been thinking your office or cubicle is too cramped — maybe it’s not the space. Maybe it’s you!
It appears limiting oneself to a salad — or turkey sandwich on wheat bread — for lunch, is not enough. Rhode Islanders, like the majority of Americans, are overweight and far too inactive.
According to the Rhode Island Department of Health, 30 percent of Rhode Island adults are physically inactive.
“Statistics show that we stand around too much,” said Dr. Patricia Nolan, director of the Rhode Island Department of Health.
Nolan’s comments came at the kick-off last Monday afternoon (July 9) for the latest result of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island’s Project BluePrint campaign, called “Walk Rhode Island.” It is a fitness program designed to help Rhode Islanders develop a more active, healthy lifestyle.
The program includes a 10-week training program at sites throughout the state and informal lunchtime walks. It then culminates with a 14-mile walk on Sept. 29, in Newport.
The training walks will be hosted by representatives of the Pawtucket Red Sox, Providence Bruins, Rhode Island Stingrays and Trinity Repertory Company.
Project BluePrint was a year-long initiative in which the state’s largest insurer surveyed individuals and businesses regarding their health insurance needs.
The result of the project included a series of initiatives, among them the establishment of an innovative Health Care Collaborative. That collaborative began work this spring. It teams the Woonsocket-based CVS Corp., and the Colleges of Nursing and Pharmacy at the University of Rhode Island. Its mission includes an effort to specifically examine the problem of nursing shortages in Rhode Island and the rising costs of prescription drugs.
Clearly another aspect of Project BluePrint is the idea of proactively reaching out to Rhode Islanders – to better their health, and as a result, reduce the likelihood that they will require costly medical procedures or medications.
Nolan thinks that is a good idea.
“The pills we take are expensive and don’t work as well,” she said. “Regular physical activity works better than anything else we can come up with.”
And walking, she said, is a wise investment on the part of the businessman — or businesswoman. Physical activity, she said, reduces the risk of common adult diseases such as heart disease and diabetes, as well as emotional stress.
“It improves well being and prolongs life,” said Nolan. “It improves mood.” Blue Cross & Blue Shield has enlisted one of the country’s foremost walkers — and motivational speakers — to help with the “Walk Rhode Island.”
Robert Sweetgall, is a former DuPont employee who got the walking bug after several family members, including his father, died of heart disease.
On several occasions, Sweetgall has walked the country — including one year during which he walked an average of 30 to 40 miles per day. Now, Sweetgall, has designed the ten-week training program for the “Walk Rhode Island” campaign.
At a press conference outside of the insurers’ LaSalle Square offices, Sweetgall, donning walking sneakers, demonstrated a series of walking styles and speeds.
“You can do this walk and train for this walk at any pace,” he said.
Sweetgall said Rhode Island overall is gaining about 1 million pounds per year. He also joked that if Rhode Islanders do not shape up, the state just might “tilt and fall.” But by taking part in the ten-week training program, he said, individuals should lose between six and nine pounds.
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island President Ronald Battista will be taking part in the program.
“With heart disease the leading cause of death in the U.S., it is important for everyone to know that an active, healthy lifestyle is the best way to prevent heart disease,” said Battista. “Walk Rhode Island can help you do that — while also providing Rhode Islanders with some scenic summer glimpses of our beautiful state.”
