A Step in the Right Direction

Next week, April 19-25, the city of Redondo Beach will join Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach to defend the beach cities' collective title in Steppin' Out, a national anti-obesity competition put on by the Medical Fitness Association (MFA) that challenges community members to walk 70,000 steps in seven days.

The Beach Cities Health District (BCHD)—a local pubic agency that promotes health and wellness in Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach —joined the competition in 2007 and has been using it as a means to get the community motivated to maintain optimal health.

"Steppin' Out is really the community's event," Michael Shaw, communications manager for the district, told Patch. "Anybody can do it. All you're doing is tracking the steps you're already doing and just pushing yourself a little bit further."

Having won the 2009 competition with nearly 211 million steps by 3,485 participants, the beach cities are looking to go that literal and figurative "extra mile" for this year's contest.

"The council and I welcome the challenge," Redondo Beach Mayor Mike Gin said. "We'd like to ensure that as a community we remain on top of the list."

And Gin is not just talk. Last year, the six members of the Redondo Beach City Council managed a collective 405,499 steps despite their busy schedules. But it wasn't just the councilmembers who ambled, trekked, strolled and hiked their way to the top of the list.

Redondo Beach city employees totaled more than 2.5 million steps during the competition. The Redondo Beach Unified School District staff took more than 1.7 million steps. Among individual schools, Jefferson Elementary amassed a whopping 40 million steps led by student Nick Andry, who had 217,004. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 67 percent of adults ages 20 and over are overweight. Of that 67 percent, 34 percent are obese (30 or more pounds overweight). A recent USA Today article estimated that obesity costs the U.S. health care system $344 billion a year and, more important, costs those who struggle with it 12 years of their lives.

One way to reduce this epidemic is by walking more, health advocates say.

"Generally, for good health 10,000 steps a day is a good chunk of exercise," Vanessa Poster, district president, said. "Wearing a pedometer encourages you to take the stairs, park a little farther. All those little things that can over a full day add up. It really gives you motivation to get a little more movement in."

Walk around the block, experts suggest. Take the dogs out to play. Take a jaunt down to the pier.

"I take walks along what we call the Green Belt, down by the beach areas," said Earl Eastcott, a retired telecommunications officer who volunteers at the Center for Health and Fitness and amassed more than the required 70,000 steps during last year's contest. "We also had these group walks along the Strand where we walked from Redondo to Manhattan."

Redondo is home to several excellent trails that weave throughout the city as well as by the beach. Experienced walkers recommend that beginners try the Pier/Veterans Park Trail, which is a pleasant 1.56-mile jaunt that lets exercisers take in the sights and sounds of pier life. The Veterans Park section peppers the walk with a bit of Redondo Beach history. For intermediate walkers,  Seaside Lagoon/Moonstone Park provides splendid views of the harbor and lagoon; the Dominguez Park Trail takes in the famous dog park while also providing a spectacular view of the Pacific from a slightly higher elevation. For the ambitious, the 4.49-mile Esplanade/Riviera Trail gives walkers a great view of the Pacific Ocean and a chance to check out Riviera Village's bistros, galleries and boutiques.

Anyone who wants to join in on the Steppin' Out challenge can register for free online at www.bchd.org/steppinout. The only requirement is that participants track their steps and submit them by April 30. People can track their steps using online tools or via mobile apps on devices such as the iPhone, but pedometers are the recommended method. Those without a pedometer can buy one for $5 at the Center for Health and Fitness, 514 N. Prospect Ave., 2nd Floor, in Redondo Beach.

Shoe manufacturer Sketchers is sponsoring Steppin' Out, and everyone who registers will receive $10 off its newest fitness shoe, the Shape-Up.

For more information about Steppin' Out, call the BCHD at (310) 374-3426 or visit its website at www.bchd.org. For information on Redondo Beach trails, brochures are available at City Hall and the BCHD.