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Think you’re alone trying to learn how to incorporate physical activity every day? Guess what – thousands of King County employees are working with you to find effective and rewarding ways to improve or maintain their health. Read their stories here.

Liz Tullis and friends celebrate after another successful walk through City Hall. Pictured above from left to right are: Geylar Greer, Veronica Colangelo, Candice Malstrom, Liz Tullis.

Think you’re alone trying to learn how to incorporate physical activity every day? Guess what – thousands of King County employees are working with you to find effective and rewarding ways to improve or maintain their health. Read their stories here.

Liz Tullis knows exactly how many steps there are in City Hall – 140. She and her co-workers (Geylar Greer and Veronica Colangelo) walk them every day, three times, up and down. They’ve got it down to a science – they can walk from the Courthouse to City Hall, up and down the stairs three times, and back to the office in just 15 minutes.

Every break, Liz and her co-workers do something to be active. They sometimes swap climbing the stairs for walking. They have a regular route of several blocks they can cover in just 15 minutes. And that’s not all – when Liz is waiting for the bus, she jumps rope or does other exercises. “People may think I’m crazy, but who cares what people think” Liz says. She also takes the stairs at the Courthouse exclusively “Unless I’m running really late.”

Liz is motivated by the desire to be healthy and active: “It makes me feel young – or at least younger. I don’t want to be inactive when I can be doing something. Mobility and exercise make up a community.” And “I want to go for the Gold!”

Liz’s supervisor, Sheila, supports her employees’ efforts to be active and healthy. When Liz and her co-workers head for the stairs, Sheila covers for them. Sometimes, Sheila can join them.

With Sheila’s support, Liz and her co-workers are Moving More, incorporating physical activity every day, and getting healthy.

Even if you don’t have the steps of City Hall close to your worksite, you can still increase your physical activity while you’re at work. Try these ideas:

• Walk at lunch with a co-worker. Local maps and routes can be found at www.metrokc.gov/employees/esmm/movemore.aspx
• Get off the bus a stop or two early and walk the rest of the way
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator where you can
• Walk to your co-worker’s office when you have something to discuss rather than send an email

Read some of our other Success Stories:

• 2008 Seafair brings out King County competitors
• Walking to better health
• Work and Exercise Do Mix Well
• Healthy aging keeps him young at heart
• A runner's story

Do you have a success story you’d like to share? Please email health.matters@kingcounty.gov or call 206-205-5017 to inspire others.