Kaiser launches walking club in Roseville

Get your exercise on at … the mall?That's right: Kaiser Permanente has organized a walking club at Westfield Galleria at Roseville, which kicks off with a mile-long route through the shopping center Saturday. More than 1,200 people have already signed up to participate.The club, called Walk to Thrive, is giving away free T-shirts and pedometers to attendees of the inaugural walk, which begins in Center Court near JC Penney before the mall opens for business."It seems simple, but walking at a moderate pace for just 30 minutes a day can help you lose weight, lower your blood pressure and reduce cholesterol," said Dr. Chris Palkowski, physician-in-chief of Kaiser Permanente Roseville Medical Center, in a press release.Kaiser offers several walking programs to members at its hospitals and medical offices, but the Walk to Thrive club is open to the general public."As physicians we see firsthand the success our patients have when they participate in regular walking programs, whether in their own neighborhoods or at our facilities in Roseville," Palkowski said.Kaiser staff will lead regularly scheduled walks and host monthly health education seminars at the Galleria for participants in Walk to Thrive. Club participants will walk the mall before stores open, so they have a peaceful, climate-controlled walking environment, with no traffic or busy street intersections to cross.~ Sena Christian----------Walk to Thrive kick-off eventWhat: Walking club organized by Kaiser PermanenteWho: Open to the publicInfo: One-mile walk starts 8 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 25Where: Center Court near JC Penney in Westfield Galleria at Roseville, 1151 Galleria BlvdCost: Free. Register at www.kpwalktothrive.org.