Million steps adds up to healthier life

About 900,000 steps. More than 150 pounds. A goal to inspire better health choices.

Those are Gary Marino's objectives and accomplishment as he walks across the state - from Asheville to Wilmington - in the Million Step March.

Marino, along with walking buddy Kathy Higgins of Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, stopped at Lenoir Memorial Hospital on Friday to share what they've been doing with the community.

Marino had been in Kinston before, as a part of 2004's Million Pound Meltdown, a walk that took him from Florida to his hometown of Boston.

"The déjà vu is amazing," he said of his return to the town.

Marino said he understands losing weight is incredibly difficult for most people.

"It's not easy," he said. "It's the hardest thing on the planet."

Still, with every step, Marino brings himself closer to his "goal weight" and better overall health. He said despite all the walks and the jogs and the exercise, he's never even been close to his goal.

Higgins said Blue Cross Blue Shield was impressed by Marino's commitment to health and how he took responsibility for it, so the company out to him to do this march.

"Gary inspired us," she said.

The march is not the only thing Marino and Higgins were promoting.

"In addition to being a cross-state walk, it's a moving wellness tour," he said. "This gives us a chance to connect with people."

There was a cooking demonstration - "promoting easier, on-the-go means for people," according to Higgins - as well as smoothies and information from the insurance company and various other health initiatives in the state.

"One of the big things about the wellness tour (is) we give people the tools" to improve their health, such as pedometers, Higgins said.

The tour also allows people to get involved in making better healthy lifestyle choices

"I think events like this can become a movement," Marino said. "We can create a movement in North Carolina."

Dujuan Lofton, a patient accounts liaison at LMH, participated in an interesting way to make a smoothie at the event: He hopped on a stationary bicycle that was attached to a blender. The harder he pedaled, the faster the smoothie - made of oatmeal, low-fat yogurt, apple juice and fresh bananas and strawberries - was blended.

"It's good," he said, enjoying a small cup of the fruits of his labor. "I like this."

He said the event was a great idea.

"It's informative," he said. "I'm always willing to learn new stuff."

Constance Hengel, director of community programming and development for the hospital, had a hand in helping to organize the march's stop in Kinston. The event's focus on walking afforded the hospital the chance to publicize its walking track.

"We're delighted to have them come here," she said. "We're just thrilled to death to show off the walking track."

Vanessa Clarke can be reached at (252) 559-1076 or vclarke@freedomenc.com. Check out Vanessa's blog at http://vclarke.encblogs.com.