By Stephanie Anderson
The Reporter-Herald, CO
While making a resolution for the new year is a common practice, achieving that goal is never as easy as making it.
Helping to keep some of those resolutions alive is Wal-Mart, which hosted a community event Saturday to raise awareness about women’s health.
In coordination with Speaking of Women’s Health, a nonprofit organization, Wal-Mart Supercenters nationwide held the “Small Steps, Big Rewards” event to encourage healthy lifestyle choices for women.
“We realize that having these events in stores is the best way to reach women,” Speaking of Women’s Health spokeswoman Lee McGinley said.
The “Small Steps, Big Rewards” theme focuses on the little things that women can do on a daily basis to make a difference in their overall health and well-being.
“We want people to walk away from this event saying, ‘You know what, I can make a couple of changes,’” McGinley said.
Those attending “Small Steps, Big Rewards” were given free copies of the book “Love Notes to Our Moms and Other Women of Influence.” Ideas about more healthful eating and easier ways to start exercising, from walking 30 minutes during lunch to taking the stairs instead of the elevator, are featured in the book.
“Hopefully they will leave with the book and ultimately make some decisions that will impact their health,” McGinley said.
Jackie Barber, a demonstrator for the event at the east Loveland Wal-Mart, has been working in-store events for Speaking of Women’s Health for five years, and she credits the format with getting important information to consumers.
“We are getting women to pledge to become more aware of their health needs,” Barber said. “It’s an annual event geared toward women, and I think people like it.”
Those who stopped at the booths supporting Speaking of Women’s Health were all shoppers who were unaware of the event before they came into the store on Saturday.
“People are eager to hear about this,” demonstrator Sandy Felte said. “We’re not asking them to start a diet or do anything like that, just take a pledge for women’s health to make yourself feel better throughout the year.”
The event marks the sixth year that Wal-Mart and Speaking for Women’s Health have worked together on the in-store events.
McGinley said that for those who missed the event, there are resources for lifestyle changes on the organization’s Web site at www.speakingofwomenshealth.com.
“We picked the ‘Small Steps’ theme to coordinate with the new year,” McGinley said. “We hope that women will live their new year’s resolutions and a year from now they will be living healthier.”
When the new Wal-Mart Supercenter opened in Columbia earlier this fall, it provided job opportunities for more than 200 people...
