Most working adults spend the majority of their time sitting at a desk. Often they’re there for eight hours or more, with few or no breaks. This sedentary behavior, along with poor eating habits at work, significantly increases the risk of heart disease. But for corporate America, the trend affects more than employees’ waistlines. It also affects the bottom line, because unhealthy employees cost more and contribute less.

Now there’s a solution for companies everywhere. Start! — the American Heart Association’s movement to get all Americans walking — can help Corporate America reenergize employees into an active and healthy workforce.

MyStart! Online is a free tool that helps employees make positive lifestyle changes through walking and a better diet. It’s a great way for your employees to track their progress as part of the Start! Walking Program. With MyStart! Online, your employees can:

• Track their daily physical activity
• Track their daily diet intake
• Download Yahoo maps to find walking routes in their neighborhood, around work, and even around their hotel when traveling on business
• Get nutrition and physical activity tips to help them achieve their goals

Implementing this tool is easy and hassle-free for you and your employees. And it provides an effective way to motivate and inspire more thinking about making permanent behavior changes, such as becoming more physically active and eating a healthier diet.

First, register as your company's HR Delegate/Administrator here.

Then send a message to your employees encouraging them to Start! walking and Start! tracking through MyStart! Online. They simply set up an account and they’re ready to Start!

Aside from lowering the risk of heart attack and stroke through a more active lifestyle, your employees can reap whatever rewards you choose to offer.

The MyStart! Online tool has functionality that, with the user’s permission, lets you see their progress. This provides you with a great opportunity to offer achievement-based incentives, company-wide recognition or other encouragement. It’s a great way to let your employees know their efforts to become more physically active aren’t going unnoticed.

If you have questions about MyStart! Online, please see our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.