Helping To Fight the Battle Against Type 2 Diabetes:

Click here to make your StepOut Walk donation to fight Diabetes

“This represents the largest fundraising campaign in the history of Fitness Together for our region,” said Benjie Moser, Area Director, of Fitness Together.
 
From May 15 – October 15, a record 42 Fitness Together studios are inviting the general public, clients and staff to participate in the Cardio for a Cure program, collecting donations for each mile they log doing exercises like walking, running, biking and swimming. 

Each studio will raise a minimum of $1,000 to help fund research and education with the ADA.  The campaign is also being promoted with in-store signage and local marketing with the theme that regular exercise may reduce or eliminate the need for other medication.   

“Our goal is to raise $40,000 to help find a cure for diabetes,” Moser said.  “We want to tackle a health issue that affects more than 24 million Americans and make a real difference for participants at the same time.  Cardio for a Cure is a great way to motivate our clients to work hard at their own health and fitness goals while supporting a fantastic cause. And you don’t need to be a client of Fitness Together to participate. Everyone is invited to visit our participating locations and sign up for Cardio for a Cure for free.”

Donations can be made by check to the American Diabetes Association and dropped off at participating Fitness Together studios.  Donations can also be given online at www.FTGetsResults.com, the home page of Fitness Together studios in New England where Fitness Together is also the official sponsor of the
ADA Step Out: Walk for Diabetes.

Steve Lichtman speaks at Senior Diabetes Event, May 2011

Steve Lichtman speaks at ADA Step-Out Walk Worcester, MA

Warm-ups at ADA Step-Out Walk Worcester, MA

A Message from Steve Lichtman, owner of 4 Fitness Together studios:

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

The Fitness Together Trainer's are great...If I say I think I can't do it, they say, 'Yeah, you can' and I say, 'Yeah, you're right!'

So far I've lost 17 lbs. I've dropped 3 pants sizes. I have more energy and I'm happier. My customers at work tell me that I glow, that I look younger. I feel better. That's a big accomplishment in 12 weeks.

My whole goal is to get off all the medications that I'm on--the blood pressure medication, my cholesterol medication and especially my type 2 diabetes meds.

I'm 50 years old and I'm just starting my life and it's worth it. I'm worth it.

– Carol P.
Lost Weight, Lowered her A1C from 7.5 to 6.4