America on the Move Week at Local Y

The Crescenta-Cañada YMCA is joining other Ys across the country for America on the Move week, Sept. 23 through Sept. 30. Through a partnership with the America on the Move Foundation, the local Y is aiming to inspire individuals and families to adopt healthier lifestyles through "small steps" to get them active and moving. The week kicks off on Saturday, Sept. 23 with a five mile walk, where participants will leave from either of the foothill facilities -- the Verdugo Hills or Crescenta-Cañada YMCA -- and meet in the middle at Pennsylvania Avenue in La Crescenta.

"The whole idea of this week is to try to get our members and others in the community to be proactive in our nation's ongoing fight against obesity and unhealthy lifestyle choices," said Rosanne Malogolowkin, associate executive director at the Crescenta-Cañada YMCA. "The walk on Saturday is a great way to get things started, and will include free tee-shirts for the first 140 participants to sign up as well as other prizes and refreshments."

Other activities planned for the week include a hike, also on Saturday, Sept. 23, fitness activities on Monday and Wednesday, a dance-aerobathon on Thursday, a water-aerobathon on Friday and the Wet n' Wild Game Day in the pool on Saturday at the Verdugo Hills Y. All participants will be encouraged to track their "steps" (which are counted based on program and event participation), with a goal of one billion steps across the nation being reached by the end of the week. Participants can register their steps at americaonthemove.org, using the Y group code RCR68243.

"It's an ambitious number that we have set for the week, but we feel confident that people will come out in support of this effort," added Malogolowkin. "The current statistics regarding American citizens who are overweight or obese is very alarming, and it is important for us to set an example for others in the community."

According to nationwide studies, 60 million adults—or 30 percent of the U.S. adult population—and 9 million children are currently considered obese or overweight. For more information on programs and their scheduled times, please visit the Y's website at http://www.ymcacc.org or call the office at (818) 790-0123 ext. 0.