Cobb County Public Library workers invite the public to step up and participate in Go Red for Women Walk events. National Wear Red Day® is Friday, February 3 and February is American Heart Month.

Seven Cobb library locations are Go Red Walk sites January 31 - February 4.

The Cobb library 2023 initiative is occurring as the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign promotes making a commitment to regular exercise with family, friends, co-workers and neighbors as a good strategy for heart health.

CCPL workers encourage the public to wear red and join in the walks to share with the community the critical messages of the importance of women of all ages knowing heart disease risks and symptoms. One strategy for heart health is joining or launching a walking group to support women in reaching sustainable health goals.

According to the AHA, “It’s no longer just about wearing red; it’s no longer just about sharing heart health facts. It’s about all women making a commitment to stand together with Go Red and taking charge of their own heart health as well as the health of those they can’t bear to live without.

“Making a commitment to your health isn’t something you have to do alone either, so grab a friend or a family member and Go Red today.”

“Over the years of our Go Red campaign, the Cobb library staff has experienced a great level of camaraderie through wearing red and creating displays, signs and sharing social media Go Red messages,” said Tom Brooks, CCPL communications specialist. “It became very clear that we simply have to do more, move, literally take steps together, to strengthen our Go Red campaign.”

Among the AHA resources on heart health and walking is the article “Walking your way to better health? Remember the acronym FIT” which quotes Dr. Felipe Lobelo, director of Emory University's Exercise is Medicine Global Research and Collaboration Center in Atlanta.

FIT, Dr. Lobelo says, “stands for frequency, intensity and time.”

Be sure to remember, adds Lobelo in the article, “every step counts. Every minute counts. Anything is better than sitting.”

Resources:

Go Red for Women: www.goredforwomen.org/

Walking your way to better health? Remember the acronym FIT: www.heart.org/en/news/2022/04/06/walking-your-way-to-better-health-remember-the-acronym-fit

Start or Join a Walking Club: www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/walking/start-or-join-a-walking-club

Health and Wellness Resources at the Library: https://www.cobbcounty.org/library/services/wellness