Submitted by: Dr. Patricia Moore, Anita Alaniz-Molina, Maria Miranda & Dolores Casillas

“Walking is Man’s Best Medicine”

GUADALUPE August 6, 2006 — With a bright, wide smile, Frank Ortega is proud of the 10,000+ steps his pedometer registers as having walked today and ...... it’s only 8 a.m! For good cardiovascular health, the American Heart Association (AHA) recommends walking 10,000 steps a day.

Mr. Ortega, a Town of Guadalupe employee participates in the Town of Guadalupe Walking Group.

The walking group was established following a Community Diabetes Workshop which stressed the importance of movement and how simple things like walking can improve your insulin levels, circulation, mental health, and ability to lose weight.

The interest led to implementation of the Maricopa County Department of Public Health Walking Everyday Living Longer (MCDPH WELL) Program. A core group of individuals motivated and committed to walking everyday kept track of their steps using their pedometers. While all participants were diligent in walking everyday, no matter what day of the week, Mr. Ortega proved to be the lead contender!

Pedometers are small appliances that clip on to your waistband and register every step you take. Mark Johnson, Interim Town Manager, was able to purchase pedometers for the Town of Guadalupe staff who wanted to join the walking group via a small grant received by the AHA.

Guadalupe Diabetes Committee Coalition members.  From right to left:  Tim Flood of ADHS, Maria Miranda of Centro de Amistad, Abel Flores of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, Tina Molina of Las Fuentes Health Clinic and Cruzita Armenta of Centro de Amistad.

Celebrating walking tens of thousands of steps has been long in coming. For about seven years, the Guadalupe Diabetes Committee whose membership includes representatives from Guadalupe agencies including Centro de Amistad, Las Fuentes and the Pascua Yaqui Tribe as well as representatives from the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), Maricopa County Department of Public Health and the ASU College of Nursing has been dedicated to supporting the health education needs of the people of Guadalupe.

For the past several years, with grant support provided by ADHS the Guadalupe Diabetes committee has been able to offer workshops on preventing or delaying diabetes by encouraging healthy lifestyles. These workshops have been presented to organized groups in the community including the Town of Guadalupe, Pascua Yaqui Tribe and Centro de Amistad employees, Head Start Parent groups, and Americorp and Youth Build program participants.

Cecilia Chapman, a Registered Dietician and Certified Bilingual Diabetes Educator was contracted to present the one hour workshops. The people of Guadalupe have embraced Cecilia as a clinician they trust. A native of El Paso, Texas, Cecilia’s experience, competence, easy style and experience in working with Indo- latino communities has been key in the success of these workshops.

This year the Committee is encouraging and supporting the formation of walking groups as well as "hands-on" healthy cooking demonstrations.

In considering changes in your lifestyle, they do not need to be drastic or overwhelming. These are 6 things you can do TODAY that will help you and your family move towards a healthier lifestyle:

• Drink 8 glasses of water everyday.

• Walk every day. Begin with 15 minutes then join a walking group. Remember it’s hot outside, walk inside your home, inside your building at work, go to the mall, etc.

• Eat flour tortillas? Change to corn tortillas and sign up for a Healthy Cooking Demonstration!

• Eat 4 tortillas per meal? Cut it down to 2.

• Eating out at a fast food restaurant? Don’t super size your order.

• Drink regular soda? Switch to diet.

For more information on the Guadalupe Diabetes Committee, the walking groups, or the cooking demonstrations call Maria Miranda, Chairwoman or Cruzita Armenta at 480-839-2926.