In November 2007 Mike Wilson of Topeka, KS was selected as a finalist in the 2008 Start! Challenge. Six people from across the country competed to see who could make a healthy life change. Because of his accomplishments in the program, Mike was named the winner. Mike started making small changes which included walking daily and incorporating better food choices. After only 3 months, Mike lowered his blood pressure, lost 12% of his body weight and 5 inches off his waist. He was even able to cancel his scheduled knee surgery and stopped taking his usual six ibuprofen tablets a day. He is also very active with getting others involved with Start! His school district now has over 1,200 employees enrolled in the Start! Walking Program.
To date Mike is still going strong and has lost over 80 pounds. He is truly an inspiration! More About Mike
Since 1924 the American Heart Association has helped protect people of all ages and ethnicities from the ravages of heart disease and stroke. These diseases, the Nation's No.1 and No.3 killers, claim more than 910,000 American lives a year. The association invested more than $543 million in fiscal year 2005-06 for research, professional and public education, and advocacy so people across America can live stronger, longer lives.
Thanks to all our walkers, donors and volunteers who have accepted the challenge to help fight heart disease and stroke. We cannot achieve our mission without each one of you!
For more information please contact one of your Start! Heart Walk staff partners at (309) 370-2276 or via email at dustin.ziegler@heart.org
