Mark your calendars for the American Heart Association’s annual event to help us be more physically active! This coming Wednesday, April 3rd, is NATIONAL WALKING DAY! WGNS' Rafferty Cleary reports...

Verbatim: Employees at many companies around Middle Tennessee will join hundreds of thousands of people across the nation to ditch the desk in favor of 30 minutes of walking. And their companies will be glad to have them do it – they’re joining in the effort.

Here in Murfreesboro the jaunt begins at noon at the Doubletree Hotel. The staff at Middle Tennessee Medical Center encourages the public to get out and walk!

Research shows that fitness programs can reduce employer healthcare costs by 20 to 55 percent. And reducing just one health risk increases a person's productivity on the job by 9 percent and reduces absenteeism by 2 percent.

For everyone who does one hour of brisk physical activity, they gain up to two hours of life expectancy – a 2-for-1 deal. Physical activity has been shown to significantly lower risk of heart disease and stroke.

The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes a week, but less than 50 percent of adults get enough daily exercise.