YMCA gets involved with America On the Move

Last week was "America On the Move's" YMCA week. About 1,500 YMCAs around the country participated in the effort to "motivate and mobilize thousands of Americans to take small steps towards a healthier lifestyle."

Among them was Nevada's own Osage Prairie YMCA.

Dana Redburn, Osage Prairie YMCA "We logged a total of 5.8 million steps through last week. We had actually set a goal of 6.5; however, there was some confusion among participants. We also ran a poker challenge where if a person completed a certain pre-set goal, they were allowed to draw a card from the deck. At the end of the week the person with the best five-card hand won a prize. When people drew three or four cards and didn't have anything, they quit logging steps, thinking the two were the same event. So, if I were guessing, I think we probably did meet the goal. Regardless, last year we logged 4.5 million and certainly passed that this year."

There were many other ways the community could participate; for example, students from St. Mary's School in Nevada came by one afternoon to walk and run around the facility's track, logging steps as well.

"All in all, I think it is good indication that people are becoming more active and more aware of the health challenges we are facing in society today," Redburn said.

The "America On the Move" goal for this year was 10 billion steps; and, according to www.americaonthemove.org, the hope is that people of all ages will be inspired to take small steps to incorporate a higher level of fitness into their lives.