Cane Run and Ohio Falls Stations employees and their families are tracking their miles in an innovative program that rewards walking and running. The S.M.A.R.T. Program began at these stations in March 2004 to encourage healthy movement among employees by providing each program member with a pedometer to keep track of his or her walking. The three components of the program - Step and Move, Add it Up, and Reset and Track - give participants an overview of the many healthy benefits of walking, a baseline for their current activity during the day, and concrete incentives for adding walking to their schedule.

Each day, S.M.A.R.T. Program members use their pedometers to calculate how far they have walked and how many additional calories they've burned. Then, they enter their additional steps into a walking journal. Obviously, the most important benefit they gain from the S.M.A.R.T. Program is a healthier, fitter lifestyle. Walking has been shown to have numerous health benefits including reducing the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke, lowering blood pressure, reducing body fat and the risk of obesity, and reducing the risk of non-insulin-dependent diabetes.

The S.M.A.R.T Program rewards participants with incentives such as water bottles, T-shirts, and sweatshirts after they have completed a set number of miles. Over 100 pedometers have been given out to employees and their families and — as of April 8 — 4,896 miles have been turned in for incentives. Currently, four employees and one spouse have reached Level 4 - 500 or more miles walked:

• Leo Niehoff (831 miles)
• Dwight Durbin (541 miles)
• Dave and Kathy Osborne (over 500 miles each)
• Kerry Johnson (over 500 miles)

Steve Turner, General Manager - Cane Run, Ohio Falls and Combustion Turbines, says that the S.M.A.R.T Program encourages employee participation in healthy walking and creates a sense of healthy competition. The program raises awareness about activity levels, and a healthier lifestyle change is the best incentive of all. "The S.M.A.R.T. Program is a fun and easy way for employees and their families to keep track of their daily walking and recognition for adding healthier habits to their lives," said Turner.