Hundreds of people across North Texas brought their tennis shoes to work Wednesday, for the American Heart Association's National Start! Walking Day.
At Texas Health Harris Methodist Southwest Hospital, dozens of employees took a one mile walk around the building.
"It's a lot of fun to get out there and kick off the whole walking initiative," Chief Quality Officer Elizabeth Ransom said.
Doctors, nurses and staff at the Fort Worth hospital are stepping up to a heart healthy challenge, and leading the way for the community.
"We ought to set the example for people to live healthy so they avoid hospitalization," said VP of Patient Care Services, Marry Robinson. "The cost of health care is only getting higher. The only way we're going to decrease it is by making people approach life in a more healthy way."
Even the hospital's president, Brett McClung laced up his sneakers to support the cause.
"We believe that fitness and diet are at the core of good health," McClung said. "Ultimately that's our goal, to improve the overall health of the community."
McClung and about ten others even challenged each other to a race.
"We have a very competitive group here," he said with a smile.
Heart experts say one of the best ways to improve your overall health is to walk, and get at least 20 minutes of exercise a day.
"Your heart is like any other muscle in your body," said Cardio Pulminary Diagnostic Manager Dan Perrine. "The more you work it the stronger it gets.
Texas Health Harris Methodist Southwest has been recognized by the American Heart Association two years in a row as a "Fit Friendly" workplace.
