WASHINGTON — One billion is a big number. It seems even bigger if you’re talking about taking a billion steps. But that’s the challenge D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is putting to city residents. It’s a challenge to step their way to better health.
On Saturday morning, Bowser kicked off the citywide FIT DC Billion Steps Challenge, at the Deanwood Recreation Center in Northeast, D.C.
The challenge encourages all city residents to eat healthier food and become more active by taking a billion steps.
“Too many of our residents are suffering from chronic diseases that cut the quality of their life too short,” Bowser says.
The mayor, along with city residents who’ve been selected as Fit DC coaches, stepped out for a 1.5 mile walk Saturday to start toward their billion steps. A Fit DC coach has been selected for each of the city’s eight wards. In addition a senior coach and a youth coach were selected.
Also at the kickoff, out for the walk Saturday, were other city officials, such as Ward 7 Council member Yvette Alexander, D.C. Department of Health Director Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt and Acting Director of D.C. Parks and Recreation Department Keith Anderson.
“What Mayor Bowser has done is she’s calculated that if every resident walked 1500 steps (every day) we could do this,” Dr. Nesbitt says.
The Fit DC initiative links residents to nutrition and physical fitness resources in their communities. Dr. Nesbitt says the role of the Fit DC coaches is to encourage D.C. residents to move more and to make healthier choices.
In the months ahead, the 1.5 mile walk will be held in each of the city’s wards. The city will be using different tools including online sites to track and log miles walked by residents. Billion Steps Challenge has more information about the program. You can also head to Facebook and Twitter at MyFitDC.
