| Fitness Together has assembled a record-setting 40 fitness studios
across Massachusetts and Rhode Island to serve as the Official Health and Fitness Sponsor for
the American Diabetes Association of Eastern New England’s Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes.
From May through September, participating Fitness Together studios will raise a minimum of
$40,000 ($1,000 per studio) for the ADA Eastern New England Chapter. Clients at each studio
will have a chance to sign up for the Fitness Together “Cardio for a Cure” program, collecting
donations from family and friends for each mile they log doing exercises like walking, running,
biking and swimming. The public is invited to join in and can sign up for free at any participating
Fitness Together studio.
“It’s a natural fit for our clients to make the most of their workouts and support a fantastic cause at
the same time,” said Jeff Jervik, president and CEO of Fitness Together Holdings, Inc. “Diabetes
is a major health issue affecting more than 24 million Americans. Diabetes incidence continues to
grow, now reaching epidemic proportions and it’s a disease that deserves more attention, deeper
support, broader education and swifter action from people and organizations that can help like
Fitness Together.”
Proceeds from the “Cardio for a Cure” program will be tallied in October when Fitness Together
also sponsors three ADA Step Out: Walk for Diabetes events. The walks will take place Oct. 16,
in Worcester, Mass., Oct. 17 in Providence, R.I. and Oct. 23 in Boston.
“We are very appreciative of the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Fitness Together studios and
their teams of trainers for taking on this important issue”, said Chris Boynton, Executive Director
for the Eastern New England area of the American Diabetes Association. “Fitness Together’s
mission to help their clients live healthier, happier lives is very much compatible with our mission
to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the quality of life for all those living with the disease.”
Separate from the money that Fitness Together raises for the ADA chapter, the studios have
announced that they will also sponsor a health study to examine the impact of fitness and
exercise on Type 2 diabetics who sign up at their studios this summer. Details of the six-month
study will be announced soon.
 A Message from Steve Lichtman, owner of 4 Fitness Together studios:
Congress has passed legislation to overhaul our healthcare system, lower costs and provide every American with health insurance coverage. Yet it could be several years before we see positive results. It's true that our healthcare system is inefficient and laden with excessive costs.
But are the health insurance companies and medical community solely to blame? What can we citizens do to help lower costs and make our insurance coverage more affordable?
The answer is: We can do more to take better care of ourselves.
Take diabetes for example. Diabetes has become an epidemic. Data from the 2007 National Diabetes Fact Sheet says that: 23.6 million children and adults in the U.S. - 7.8% of the population have diabetes and another 57 million people are pre-diabetes. This means over 80 million Americans have or will some day have diabetes. While heart disease is a leading cause of death, 75% of heart attack patients had diabetes first.
From a cost persepctive, 1 of every 5 healthcare dollars is spent on someone who has diabetes. Diabetes is 1 of 4 major drivers increasing healthcare costs. Here's the good news: while there's no cure yet for Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes can be reversed with proper diet and exercise. And of all people afflicted with diabetes, 90-95% of them have Type 2. This means we can help the vast majority of diabetics get healthier. At Fitness Together, we help our clients lose weight, lower blood pressure and lower blood glucose - often to the point where they need fewer meds.
By decreasing people's dependency on drugs, we can help more people live healthier, productive lives - doing our part to help lower healthcare costs.
In Good Health, Steve Lichtman
|
I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes in August, 2005. What a shock! They wanted me to go on medication, but I was determined to correct my blood sugar level naturally. I started working out at Fitness
Together 3 times per week, and changed my diet following FT’s recommended IntraFitt program. 5 months later my blood sugar was normal, with NO DRUGS!
Even my doctor was impressed.
By combining the exercise program at Fitness Together, my nutrition program and some cardio at home, I have lost 30 lbs in 6 months and everyone who knows me says I look 10 years younger – and I feel it. Thanks FT!!
– Dave M.
Stabilized blood sugar level without medication |
