ELMIRA, NY –  Twin Tiers residents looking to improve their health and perhaps drop a few pounds are turning to a new Arnot Health program that’s proving what most of us know already about getting healthy, but have a hard time admitting: if we eat well and move more, good things will happen.

“Step It Up” is a walking program developed by the Arnot Health Community Outreach department. Participants register at the beginning of a six-week program, logging their blood pressure, blood glucose, weight, BMI, body fat and details of their current eating patterns. They are mailed weekly nutritional newsletters and check in mid-way through the six-week period. Most of the work is self-motivated with guidance from program advisors.

126 people took part in the spring cycle that ended May 24, and the numbers prove the program works. In the final analysis, among those who finished the program, the following is true:

· 76% of participants saw a marked decrease in their blood pressure.
· 34.1% saw their blood glucose drop by an average of 20.3 mg/dL.
· 62.8% lost an average of 3.6 pounds.
· 74.4% lost an average of 3.41% body fat.
· 71.7% made appreciable changes to their daily diet that helped them achieve these results.

“We work closely with our participants to help them begin building physical activity into their daily lives,” says Rosemary Anthony, Arnot Health Community Outreach Coordinator. “They establish walking routes that are convenient to their home and/or workplace and learn creative ways to add steps into their daily routines. They learn about making healthier food choices and how to cook leaner meals. And they get a lot of support from their fellow participants.”

Anthony added that program participants may enroll in multiple cycles of “Step It Up” throughout the year.  A new cycle is scheduled to begin in September. Call Rosemary Anthony for more information at 271-3721 or Health on Demand at 607-737-4499 to register.

Arnot Health provides diagnostic, ambulatory, secondary and tertiary acute care, as well as rehabilitative and wellness services to the Southern Tier of New York and the Northern Tier of Pennsylvania. Arnot Ogden Medical Center is an independent, not-for-profit, 256-bed tertiary medical facility with more than 300 physicians from over 50 specialties.

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