MORGANTOWN — After four decades of existence, the LifeStride program is consistently serving as a mode to maintain and improve heart health in Monongalia County. The reason for success is not rocket science — it is simply the art of walking.
LifeStride is a self-motivated walking program provided as an extension of the Mon Health Medical Center’s cardio pulmonary department. The program is driven on the concept of members walking on their own and logging their activity as they progress.
Participants in the program check in monthly with Mon Health employees at either the Mountaineer or Morgantown malls. During these checks, employees monitor walkers’ activity diaries, blood pressure and weight.
The need for a walking program arose in the 1980s because of the health of cardiac rehab patients. In the 1990s, the program expanded to the general public and participation skyrocketed. As obesity rates remain steady in West Virginia. LifeStride employees hope to aid the public in improving their health by walking.
