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National Walk @ Lunch DaySM

Walk @ Lunch Day

We’ve all heard of a working lunch. On April 30, 2008, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) encouraged its employees and members to step it up by turning a working lunch into a walking lunch at its first Philadelphia-held National Walk @ Lunch Day.

Many people maintain the common excuse that there is not enough time in the day for exercise. National Walk @ Lunch Day pointed out the perfect opportunity to walk by demonstrating how easy it is to incorporate exercise into a daily routine. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., thousands of IBC associates, joined by many Philadelphia area companies in IBC’s worksite wellness program, took to the streets in a show of healthy exercise.

Clad in blue T-shirts, more than 4,000 participants met at Philadelphia’s City Hall where they were encouraged to circle three times in order to complete a 1.5-mile walk — and burn an average of 122 calories. By completing this walk every workday for a month, the average person could burn up to 2,440 calories*. It is estimated that nearly 500,000 total calories were burned during the Philadelphia walk on April 30.

Additional fun at City Hall included a nutritious snack station, DJ playing tunes like “I’m Walking on Sunshine,” and encouragement from Philadelphia favorite Ben Franklin. IBC President and CEO Joe Frick, Mayor Michael Nutter, and former Eagles coach Dick Vermeil donned their sneakers in support of the walk and addressed the crowd. Mayor Nutter lauded the efforts of IBC to keep its employees and members healthy, adding that “physical activity is vital to the overall well-being of all Americans, and National Walk @ Lunch Day is an opportunity for Philadelphians to take time out of their busy work schedules to exercise and work toward a healthier lifestyle.”

Such an enthusiastic response to health and exercise caught the media’s attention; KYW1060, WHYY, and the local television affiliates for ABC, NBC, and CBS all came out to cover the event.

The walk was offered in cooperation with the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association’s National Walk @ Lunch Day and similar walks across the 50 states took place simultaneously as other Blue Cross Blue Shield plans and their members got out to get healthy.

Mark you calendars for April 2009, when IBC will proudly host an even bigger and better National Walk @ Lunch Day.

We’re here for you every step of the way!

National Walk @ Lunch Day is just another way IBC is trying to help members feel great in ’08. A prime initiative this year, IBC is focusing on encouraging members to take charge of their health by making small changes to their lifestyle, which can deliver big results. Members can get started by taking advantage of IBC’s host of Healthy LifestylesSM programs, which reward them for making healthy changes, such as losing weight or quitting smoking. Members with chronic conditions, like diabetes or asthma, can find help through our ConnectionsSM Health Management Programs, which provide easy-to-understand information and a Health Coach to turn to with questions.

*Centers for Disease Control, Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005. Based on a 154-lb person walking an average rate of 3.5 miles per hour. Those heavier than 154 pounds will burn more calories, those lighter will burn less. Monthly calculations based on 20 workdays.