Members of the Great Lakes Mall Walker Program will start the year off on the right foot at the organizations 2020 kick-off event.

The program will get underway in the Macy's Concourse on Jan. 10 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and is sponsored by Lake Health.

Participants can have a bite to eat from the free, hot and healthy breakfast, receive a free T-shirt, speak with vendors and get started on their walking.

As long as the Great Lakes Mall has been around, people have utilized it as a location for walking, but the organized group is sponsored by Lake Health and provides benefits for its members, according to Great Lakes Mall Area Marketing Director, Sharon Bennett.

They do blood pressure screenings regularly, but they do offer some other programs in addition to that. Every month theres a different thing that they focus on, Bennett said.

She said the program also offers complimentary cholesterol, blood sugar and balance screenings, along with occasional blood drives.

In the past, Lake Health has hosted education programs for mall walkers, including bringing in primary care physicians, specialists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, integrative medicine specialists, dietitians, a wellness coach, nurses and more to take part in the Walk with a Doctor program.

Registered mall walkers are privy to the Mall Walker Program newsletter that can provide health news and information. Copies of the newsletter can be found near the play area or in the mall office.

Bennett said participants in the program can benefit socially, as well as physically.

I think part of it too is talking with other people, Bennett said. There seems to be a nice camaraderie within the people that are there walking and everybody kind of knows each other, so that can be nice getting out and getting with other people.

Lake Health has been sponsoring the Mall Walker Program since 2015, but informal mall walkers can still benefit from the organizations mile marker signs throughout the concourses that can help walkers track their distance and provide healthy walking tips.

Walking one lap of the mall, including side concourses, comes out to one mile.

Those interested in joining the Mall Walker Program but are not able to make it to the kick-off event can register at Great Lakes Mall's guest services booth next to the play area in the Macy's concourse.

People can benefit socially and from the screenings every month, Bennett said. And they can stay healthy by walking in the program.

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