Opinion: Downtown activity more than economic

It’s impossible to cater to everyone, especially when up to two-thirds of fitness center members are “health seekers” – children, youth, teens, adults and families whose successful pursuits of health and well-being require continually supportive relationships and environments.

The work of Activate America aims to provide that support and to more effectively engage this population. In Springfield, civic leaders developed Appetite for Life to motivate and mobilize the Ozarks region to take small steps toward a healthier lifestyle. In doing this, more than 10,000 pedometers have been given out by the group in the past two years.

The downtown business community is encouraging employees to incorporate a few more steps in their daily routines. These small steps represent changes in lifestyles and can encourage active lives.

10 Ways to Be More Active in 2008

Take the stairs. Whenever possible, ditch the elevator and use the stairs. While you may not work in Hammons Tower, one or two flights on a regular basis can make a difference.

Power break. Find a colleague at work, put on your cross-trainers and take a few minutes each day to get out and walk. Government Plaza workers can be seen daily striding through the Midtown neighborhood. A long-term concept under review is developing a fitness/history tour along Benton, Central, Boonville and Commercial streets to provide a healthy link between Commercial Street and its institutional neighbors to the south.

Kindle competitive spirit. The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce gives a prize to the team member who racks up the most steps at its annual Business and Technology Expo. The chamber also offers a fitness-points system that allows employees to log their fitness activity and earn cash to be used toward fitness-related items such as shoes, MP3 players and gym memberships. The competition reinforces wellness and brings a fun element to the workplace.

Pick it up. Weekly basketball games at facilities such as First & Calvary Church are great opportunities to workout and make new contacts in the community.

Explore a new trail. Ozark Greenways and the Springfield-Greene County Park Board connected Drury, Ozarks Technical Community and Evangel schools in 2007 with a greenway trail from Silver Springs to Smith parks. Future urban trails include an extension from Drury and OTC to Jordan Valley Park under Chestnut Expressway, development of the former quarry site at National and Trafficway, and Jordan Valley Park’s West Meadows expansion from Grant Avenue to Kansas Expressway.

Do something different. One-of-a-kind facilities such as Jordan Valley Ice Park can break up your fitness routine and provide a fun outing for the family.

Fight portion distortion. Next time when you order, ask for a to-go box and immediately box up half your meal. This is a great way to watch your caloric intake and to save a little money by having another meal for later.

Check out the pros. The Downtown YMCA, Cox North and private fitness facilities such as Studio One and Czech Us Out have outstanding fitness facilities and staff. Schedule a visit to check out the racquetball courts, swimming pools, rock-climbing walls, aerobic machines and Pilates classes.

Hit the road. Employees who live in urban neighborhoods have the option to walk or bike to work in good weather.

Plan for wellness. Part of the Discovery Center’s Gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification for its green building design was showers and bike storage for staff members who choose to ride bicycles to work or exercise over the lunch hour.

Billions of dollars are spent on many preventable diseases such as smoking, obesity and some forms of diabetes. Corporations and insurance companies are taking the time to develop incentives to try to prevent these curable and usually reversible health problems. They recognize that it will benefit productivity by staff taking less sick time, reducing health related incidents, and relieving professional and personal stress.

Center City is a great place to be more active in 2008.

Rusty Worley, executive director of Urban Districts Alliance, can be reached at rusty@itsalldowntown.com.