CNY'ers participate in National Start Walking Day

Many people across the nation laced up their sneakers to work to promote a good cause.

It's National Start Walking Day, so today is the day to adopt a healthy lifestyle.

Some came out to participate in a ceremonial walk at the masonic care community.

"It's probably one of the healthiest exercises you can do. It has one of the lowest dropout rates of all the exercises," says Dick Mattia, the executive director of the American Heart Association.

And it can effectively improve heart health says the American Heart Association.

Today, the national movement was a call-to-action for Americans to adopt a healthy lifestyle.

And various companies and their employees did just that.

"It gives the people the energy to go all day long and promotes good attitude towards their work environment when you are energetic," says Marie Seislmyer.

One Central New Yorker also says walking allows her to get a break from work.

 "It helps to get out of the office or environment and get out in the fresh air," says Suzanne Pisano.

Stephen Zogby of Scalzo, Zogby & Wittig, Inc. have been a part of National Start Walking Day for three years now.

"There was quite a few people that were dressed casual and walking is the greatest thing because you can do it from anywhere and anytime and just go out and do it," explains Zogby.

 Dick Mattia, the executive director at the American Heart Association says starting a walking program can be the first step to being healthier you.

"It's nice to see that companies care about their employees enough to provide them with walking paths and to provide the time to do that. The benefit to them is to have a healthier employee and more proficient employee," says Mattia.

The American Heart Association says it's best to start a walking program earlier in the day that way it will be harder to make up excuses.