The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives, and with the help of Live Fierce sponsor Sheehy Auto Stores, we’re getting hearts pumping, moving more and inspiring workplaces and people across the Greater Washington Region to be Healthy for Good!
Improving your health and well-being starts with eating a nutritious diet, reducing stress and, of course, MOVING MORE! The Association recommends fitting in at least 150 minutes of moderately-intense exercise a week. In fact, if each person increased their daily activity by just 10 minutes, we could help to save more than 100,000 lives each year.
This April, the Association and Sheehy Auto Stores encouraged the Greater Washington Region to take steps toward better health and get moving with the #MoveMoreDC social media challenge, which kicked off on National Walking Day.
Companies and individuals accepting the challenge recorded their steps throughout the day, shared sweaty selfies on social media and tagged at least three friends to do the same. Leading the charge to get up and moving, the Sheehy team logged 853,344 steps across their dealerships. That’s enough to walk from the Washington Monument to Times Square in New York City and back!
Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis took first place in the company’s internal pedometer challenge, tracking over 120,000 steps, and Sheehy Honda of Alexandria was named the “top dog” in this year’s National Walking Day photo contest.
“We always look forward to National Walking Day because getting active is an important first step to improve your mental and physical health,” said Vince Sheehy, President of Sheehy Auto Stores. “Our team took a record-breaking number of steps this year, and I am inspired by their commitment to creating a healthier future for themselves and others.”
In addition to the #MoveMoreDC challenge, the Association and Sheehy engaged community members with a series of health and wellness-centered workshops at The St. James sports and fitness complex. The event included a workout class with Old Glory – DC’s Rugby team, a healthy cooking demonstration with the head chef of Vim and Victor and Hands-Only CPR familiarization with representatives from Giant Food.
“We are incredibly grateful and proud of the individuals and companies that supported National Walking Day this year,” said Soula Antoniou, Executive Director of the American Heart Association. “This day is an important reminder that staying active can help you feel, think, sleep and live better. Thank you so much to Sheehy Auto Stores for showing us what it means to Live Fierce and for leading the charge to move more.” 
The #MoveMoreDC challenge is one of many fun ways to engage in the Association’s Heart Challenge, a suite of activities that includes the Greater Washington Region Heart Walk, Lawyers Have Heart 10k, 5k and Fun Walk, the Greater Washington Region Golf Tournament, year-round step challenges and more! With every step taken and dollar raised, we’re supporting community health priorities, funding medical breakthroughs, transforming healthcare systems and enacting stronger public policy that saves lives!
Keep the momentum going and get moving all month long by registering for an upcoming Heart Challenge event and join us for our next step challenge kicking off on April 19 in preparation for Lawyers Have Heart and sponsored by Sheehy!
Check out our National Walking Day coverage on NBC Washington and WUSA9!