KNOXVILLE — The second annual America on the Move in Tennessee Day of Action will take place on the UT campus at 9 a.m. Sept. 28. Last year, more than 300 UT employees walked 2,000 steps across campus in the first annual America on the Move in Tennessee Day of Action. The event promotes the importance of activity in a healthy lifestyle and the big changes that can result from only a small change in daily routine.
Walkers will begin at various campus locations and the route will end at the TRecs Plaza with a celebratory rally and activities fair.
“We hope to have even more employees participate this year,” said Siri Khalsa-Zemel, America on the Move in Tennessee Coordinator. “The day will be a great celebration of healthy living. Employees from the College of Veterinary Medicine will even be walking their dogs this year to demonstrate how activity can easily be worked into a daily routine.”
People attending the activities fair have a chance for give-away prizes, such as a free membership to the TRecs, a personal training session, an Apple i-Pod and athletic wear. Vendors for this year’s event include Runner’s Market, New Balance and UT Campus Dining.
RecSports is also welcoming all UT employees to use the TRecs workout facility on the Day of Action.
The Day of Action is part of Steptember, a national month-long celebration highlighting the benefits of active living and healthful eating. America on the Move and the YMCA are offering activities throughout the month.
In Tennessee, events will take place throughout the state at local YMCA branches, worksites, schools and community groups. In Knoxville, a group of plus-sized women called the Plus Factor will host walks every Friday evening from different Knoxville locations throughout the Month of Action. Each of the walks begin at 7 p.m. and leave from the following locations:
–Sept. 15, Ash Park and Northwest Middle School Track (off Pleasant Ridge Road)
–Sept. 22, Ashley Nicole Park and Parkridge Community Area (East Knoxville off Fifth Avenue and Cansler YMCA)
–Sept. 29, Halls High School Track
America on the Move in Tennessee, formerly known as Tennessee on the Move, began in 2004 as one of the nation’s first statewide chapters of the national organization. Executive director Dr. Michael Zemel is nationally recognized for his work on the role of calcium in weight loss and is a leading nutrition expert often referenced in mass media and academic journals.
America on the Move in Tennessee operates under the auspices of UT’s College of Education, Health and Human Sciences and has operations in east, middle and west Tennessee. The program has made great strides in engaging and educating communities, worksite groups and schools.
Those interested can join the movement at www.americanothemove.org or 1-800-807-0077 and receive a welcome packet including offers and coupons from sponsors and partners. For every individual that joins AOM during the month of September, a donation will be made to the AOM Fund for Kids, which will support AOM programs in YMCAs nationwide.
Also online is a local event finder and a free planning guide and promotional toolkit available for download to help groups and families create their own events.
For more information about the UT Day of Action or Steptember, call 974-1345 or visit www.americaonthemove.org.
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Contacts:
Courtney Phifer, cphifer@uk.edu
Siri Khalsa-Zemel, sdkhalsa@utk.edu
Beth Gladden, (865) 974-9008, beth.gladden@tennessee.edu
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