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Come On, Tampa, Do The Local Motion

Tribune photo by ROBERT BURKE

Walkers in groups of 10 begin a two-mile walk starting from Lykes Gaslight Square in downtown Tampa.

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By MARY SHEDDEN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 9, 2008

Mara Scanlon loves sweating it out at work, as long as it comes from a lunch-hour power walk.

Scanlon and a group of co-workers from Infor Global Solutions understand the value of getting away from their cubicles midday, clearing their heads and boosting heart rates. They try to get out and about whenever they can.

"At the end of the day, I don't need to go work out. I can go home and relax," she says.

Her co-worker, Kathy Thatcher, hates how rundown she feels in the afternoon if she doesn't get up from her desk for a break.

"It gives you more energy," Thatcher says of the walks, including one she and the Infor gang tried last week as part of a new downtown Tampa health initiative called Do The Local Motion Tampa Bay. They joined dozens of other downtown office workers on the first of four scheduled walks around the city's high-rise buildings, historic landmarks and scenic walkways.

The Local Motion events, including a 2.1-mile hike along Franklin Street and the Riverwalk, are designed to offer downtown workers an enjoyable and invigorating walk that fits into the workday, say leaders from Healthy Together Tampa Bay, a local community health consortium.

Regular walks can improve physical and mental health, says Chris Roederer, senior vice president of human resources at Tampa General Hospital and a Local Motion walker. "Healthier employees are happier," he says.

The Mayo Clinic says walking is one of the best ways to introduce regular exercise into your life. It attacks major health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. Need another reason to squeeze it into your routine? It's also a major stress buster, known to reduce feelings of depression and anxiety.

For information about Do The Local Motion Tampa Bay, visit www.dothelocalmotiontampabay.com. Registered users have access to the downtown walk routes and other tools, such as downloadable podcasts that offer music and commentary about the different routes.

Take Two: One of the best aspects of my job is that I get paid to learn about health, fitness and nutrition. The worst part? I read hundreds of articles and items each week I want to share, but I don't have the time or space to share it all. Well, starting this week, I've got a little help.

The brilliant online crew here at TBO.com this week launched a family of blogs affectionately known as The Mother Load. I'm teaming up with a talented group adding a little Tampa Bay perspective to the chaotic and wonderful world of parenting.

The lineup includes a working mom's column on balance (Laptops & Lost Socks); tips on finding affordable family-friendly fun (Free & Cheap); and the latest news and trends on parenting (Thanks, Mom). And we don't forget Dads; Pop & Circumstance will add a father's unique view on child rearing. We'll also be featuring the best of these blogs in our new weekly Baylife Magazine, which premiered Sunday.

My blog will take my 4you work a step further in a blog called Take Two ... and Call Your Mom. I'll share the latest news affecting your family's health. One day, I may be telling you about new pediatric research, the next I may offer tips on healthier Halloween goodies to give trick-or-treaters.

I encourage you to visit online at TBO.com, Keyword: Mother Load, and please share your own take on these issues. Just shout out to the number or e-mail below. I learned a long time ago that when it comes to parenting, the people around me tend to be some of the best experts around.

Want to share your health or fitness idea? Contact me at (813) 259-7365 or mshedden@tampatrib.com

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