Stepping Out on Second Street

As someone who has logged 100s of miles window shopping on Second Street, I was interested in Justin Rudd's new plan to get people motivated to walk and raise money for his Community Action Team. Every Wednesday evening in September and October beginning at 6:45 at Runners High, walkers will assemble to learn the direction of the walking route. Anyone who donates $5 to the Community Action Team becomes eligible for a drawing after the walk for half of the kitty. Walkers are encouraged to walk at their own pace, and everyone must sign a waiver at the first walk they attend.

The American Heart Association has a great program called Start! Heart Walk with lots of featured to keep you motivated on a walking program. It's free to sign up for their website which has tips, forums and 3 free online walks with my favorite walking instructor Lesley Sansone. Family Circle has many helpful features on its website including walking playlist suggestions from its editors.

Long Beach Losers--A winning proposition

Justin Rudd has organized an ingenious way to motivate people to drop some pounds. Long Beach Losers is a twelve-week competition where teams of 5 people weigh in each week at Runners High on Second Street and put $5 each into a kitty. The final weigh-in will be eight days before Thanksgiving and winners both for the team and an individual will divvy up the kitty. This is the third year for this event. Many people return in hopes of winning the money, but more seem to like the fun of sharing the ups and downs of following a diet. More than 500 people have registered so far, which means an estimated jackpot of $30,000 to draw from. Sign-ups end this Sunday, August 30.