Walking Off The Weight

Through a unique Tufts program, Somerville city workers are counting their steps en route to healthier lifestyles.

Somerville, Mass. [10.03.04] Determined to get in shape, Nicholas Salerno is pursuing a healthier lifestyle one step at a time. And by his calculations, he takes nearly 9,000 steps towards that goal every day. Armed with a pedometer supplied by Tufts, Salerno is just one of many Somerville city workers walking his weight off through a unique health initiative organized by the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy.

“We’re trying to increase physical activity and health awareness,” Jessica Collins – a Friedman School project manager who helps run the “Shape Up Somerville” program – told The Boston Globe.

What began as an initiative aimed at preventing obesity among elementary school students through in-school programs, revised cafeteria menus, and after-school programs has broadened into a city-wide collaborative health program.

“Salerno is one of many city employees who signed up with Shape Up Somerville to track his daily mileage and monitory his overall health, eating and fitness routines,” reported the Globe. “Participants translate their daily walking mileage into virtual routes they could be covering if they actually hit the road. The program, run by Tufts, allows them to track mileage online, get nutrition tips and overall fitness encouragement.”

It appears to be working.

“I’m more likely to walk now than get in the car,” Salerno – director of the city’s elections department – told the Globe, adding that the distance he’s walked since joining the program is roughly equivalent to walking from Boston to Montreal.

Mike Foley – supervisor of school facilities – estimated that he walks five to seven miles a day.

“I feel better when people say ‘Hey, you look great,’” Foley told the Globe, noting that he has already lost 27 pounds since joining Shape Up Somerville.

Even Somerville’s Mayor – Joseph Curtatone – has signed on.

“Already in good shape with conscientious eating habits, the mayor says he was open to learning more and becoming a smarter eater,” reported the Globe. After cutting back his physical activity after suffering a calf injury in May, he also wanted to return to his pre-injury weight.

“It’s definitely helped me,” Curtatone told the Globe. “It’s a great self-check.”