Pledge to Support Anthony!
Every dollar you donate purchases water bottles, pedometers, fitness and nutrition aids, and collateral health materials to help NoFizzUSA work with young people in health outreach programs across the country!

When you donate, you will be prompted to add a message; write the name of the person you pledge to support. We’re a non-profit organization; donations are tax-deductible. For info, click here. Thank you for your contribution!

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MEET ANTHONY
Anthony is the owner of 1060 Creative, an audio video company in Fort Mill, SC.

Follow him on: Twitter | Facebook | 1060 Creative

Why are you taking the Walk The Walk Challenge?
To motivate me to get off my butt and move around! That, and hopefully inspire others to do the same. Oh, and to crush Mike McBride.

What do you hope to get out of it?
A good, strong habit of taking long walks and the development of an exercise regimen. I understand that you have to make time to exercise, and I’m hoping that this challenge will show me that I have enough free time to do it.

What’s your strategy to win?
Channel my inner Frodo!

What’s your advice for people trying to get more active?
Find the time, or time will find you. How’s that for profundity?

Why should followers donate to NoFizzUSA and pledge to support you during the event?
Ever read the ingredients in a soda? Think that stuff is good for people? Of course it’s not. Ever seen the ingredients of a glass of water? Yeah…you’re feelin’ me. Support me in my walk, and you’ll help hydrate America. Trust me, this Bobby dude is nuts. Listen, and understand. Bobby DeMuro is out there. He can’t be bargained with. He can’t be reasoned with. He doesn’t feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And he absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are hydrated.

For more information on the Walk The Walk Challenge, click here.

Pledge to Support Logan!
Every dollar you donate purchases water bottles, pedometers, fitness and nutrition aids, and collateral health materials to help NoFizzUSA work with young people in health outreach programs across the country!

When you donate, you will be prompted to add a message; write the name of the person you pledge to support. We’re a non-profit organization; donations are tax-deductible. For info, click here. Thank you for your contribution!

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MEET LOGAN
Logan is the Public Relations and Marketing Director for Discovery Place, a Charlotte area non-profit museum and interactive experience.

Follow her on: Twitter | Discovery Place | Discovery Place on Twitter

Why are you taking the Walk The Walk Challenge?
I’ve been an active person all my life, but my job requires a lot of computer and desk work which means being stationary for a significant portion of my day. I make consistent efforts to take walks, walk through the museum where I work, and walk my dogs, but I really have no idea if all-in-all I am getting the needed amount of daily walking.

What do you hope to get out of it?
Coming from a soccer player background, I’m sort of competitive, so I want to see how my steps stack up in comparison to others! Really though, it will be an interesting experience for me. I used to run all the time before a chronic injury that has now had me out of running for a year – and without the running, I’ve gained 10 pounds in the past year. Like I said before, I just don’t know if I walk enough or how my steps compare to other people.

What’s your strategy to win?
Walk all the time! I feel like I have a little advantage in that I have 2 dogs who need to be walked, but this will definitely make me more conscious of taking the stairs, or maybe even taking the stairs twice if I can! And if I could run, I’d totally take this whole contest.

What’s your advice for people trying to get more active?
Just get out there and TRY something, anything. Recently I took a martial-arts style circuit class for the first time and I was absolutely scared to death beforehand. It turned out to be one of the most incredible workouts. Mix it up. Since my injury, I have learned it’s not all about running and burning calories, it’s about trying to be healthy and strong all over, and that can mean many different forms of excercise. You can work out and have fun, too!

Why should followers donate to NoFizzUSA and pledge to support you during the event?
I think the NoFizzUSA healthy-living message is a really important one not just for us as adults but for kids. Kids pick up so many habits that stay with them into adulthood (for me, it was sugar) and I think it’s important to get this message to them early in life.

For more information on the Walk The Walk Challenge, click here.

Pledge to Support Katie!
Every dollar you donate purchases water bottles, pedometers, fitness and nutrition aids, and collateral health materials to help NoFizzUSA work with young people in health outreach programs across the country!

When you donate, you will be prompted to add a message; write the name of the person you pledge to support. We’re a non-profit organization; donations are tax-deductible. For info, click here. Thank you for your contribution!

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MEET KATIE
Katie (engaged and soon to be Katie McKiever!) is representing the Friends of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, a non-profit organization in Charlotte, NC.

Follow her on: Twitter | LinkedIn | CharMeck Library Friends

Why are you taking the Walk The Walk Challenge?
The term “Walk The Walk” means to practice what you preach and that’s why I’m taking this challenge. I stay active. I’m not just saying I do this, I live this and I want to see others live it, too!

What do you hope to get out of it?
I want to show others that taking the steps, literally and figuratively, to gain control of your fitness level and health takes nothing more than your own two feet.

What’s your strategy to win?
I am definitely pulling the wedding card. Not only am I participating in Walk the Walk, but I’m also doing the big WALK down the aisle to marry the greatest guy I know at the end of September. My good friend Polly the Pedometer will be my constant reminder to go for a stroll for a little stress relief during the wedding planning home stretch, or to go for that run on the greenway to feel good on my wedding day!

What’s your advice for people trying to get more active?
Find a friend and do it together. The buddy system works every time!

Why should followers donate to NoFizzUSA and pledge to support you during the event?
Followers should donate to support me in my Walk the Walk effort because not only is it an important cause, but a fun one that I back wholeheartedly. Also there are three of us going on our honeymoon: my fiance, me and Polly. Don’t you want to support Polly the Pedometer’s Mexican getaway and her run up the stairs of the Mayan ruins? I’m pretty sure I’m the only one to name my pedometer friend and to take her out of the country. After this, NoFizzUSA just might need to go global: NoFizzWorld!

For more information on the Walk The Walk Challenge, click here.

Pledge to Support Scott!
Every dollar you donate purchases water bottles, pedometers, fitness and nutrition aids, and collateral health materials to help NoFizzUSA work with young people in health outreach programs across the country!

When you donate, you will be prompted to add a message; write the name of the person you pledge to support. We’re a non-profit organization; donations are tax-deductible. For info, click here. Thank you for your contribution!

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MEET SCOTT
Scott is a Public Relations professional and owner of Media Emerging.

Follow him on: Twitter | Media Emerging

For more information on the Walk The Walk Challenge, click here.

Pledge to Support Brian!
Every dollar you donate purchases water bottles, pedometers, fitness and nutrition aids, and collateral health materials to help NoFizzUSA work with young people in health outreach programs across the country!

When you donate, you will be prompted to add a message; write the name of the person you pledge to support. We’re a non-profit organization; donations are tax-deductible. For info, click here. Thank you for your contribution!

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MEET BRIAN
Brian is the founder and executive producer of RadioExiles.com.

Follow him on: Twitter | Facebook | Radio Exiles

Why are you taking the Walk The Walk Challenge?
Trying to use this as motivation to make there be less of me by the end of September!

What do you hope to get out of it?
Come October 1st, I will be a mere shadow of my former self.

What’s your strategy to win?
Walk my dog alot, park far away from wherever I am going. Maybe even shake the pedometer when I’m sleeping… (kidding).

What’s your advice for people trying to get more active?
Just do it. There are no more excuses; the only way to legitimately lose weight and get healthy is to eat right and exercise. It’s time!

Why should followers donate to NoFizzUSA and pledge to support you during the event?
It’s a great cause, a unique challenge and you’ll be able to say you were in on the ground floor!

For more information on the Walk The Walk Challenge, click here.

Pledge to Support Terra!
Every dollar you donate purchases water bottles, pedometers, fitness and nutrition aids, and collateral health materials to help NoFizzUSA work with young people in health outreach programs across the country!

When you donate, you will be prompted to add a message; write the name of the person you pledge to support. We’re a non-profit organization; donations are tax-deductible. For info, click here. Thank you for your contribution!

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MEET TERRA
Terra is a nutritionist, recipe developer, and blogger at CafeTerraBlog.com

Follow her on: Twitter | Facebook | Cafe Terra Blog | Queen City Exclusive

Why are you taking the Walk The Walk Challenge?
Walking makes me happy! Walking out in the open air is so cleansing and relaxing, so I say, why not take a walking challenge?

What do you hope to get out of it?
I have been inconsistent with working out lately. I know that this challenge will get me back on track. I really do enjoy working out, and I love the feeling after a great workout!

What’s your strategy to win?
Well… I am great as a second place winner, and I am sooooo okay with that! So, I hope to really push it, and try to get a lot of steps counted for the month. Anything I do for the month will be better than nothing, and a positive improvement in my habits, so that already makes me a winner!

What’s your advice for people trying to get more active?
Take baby steps! If you don’t work out every day, try to start off slow. Maybe break up your workout – walk 10-20 minutes in morning, and 10-20 minutes at night. And just enjoy every moment, it really is all about having fun!

Why should followers donate to NoFizzUSA and pledge to support you during the event?
NoFizzUSA is the reason I have been soda free for a year! They are supportive, and always there if you need encouragement to make healthy changes in your life!

For more information on the Walk The Walk Challenge, click here.

Pledge to Support Christopher!
Every dollar you donate purchases water bottles, pedometers, fitness and nutrition aids, and collateral health materials to help NoFizzUSA work with young people in health outreach programs across the country!

When you donate, you will be prompted to add a message; write the name of the person you pledge to support. We’re a non-profit organization; donations are tax-deductible. For info, click here. Thank you for your contribution!

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MEET CHRISTOPHER
Christopher is the General Manager of Flex + Fit, a health club in Uptown Charlotte.

Follow him on: Twitter | Flex + Fit on Twitter | Flex + Fit

Why are you taking the Walk The Walk Challenge?
When I talk about fitness, I always frame it as a lifestyle choice. It’s not just about going to workout a couple times a week, but so much more. The simple things like choosing to park a little farther away, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, and choosing an active lifestyle instead of a sedentary one. I think the Walk the Walk Challenge embodies the idea of making everyday activity a priority. My brother and I were blessed to be raised in a household where we ate healthy and our parents encouraged us to be outside and active. Being able to bring an active lifestyle mindset to others is something I am passionate about sharing.

What do you hope to get out of it?
I hope to help further promote NoFizzUSA through the resources I have available to me, and help make a difference in my new community. As a new resident of Charlotte, and with Flex + Fit being a new health club in Uptown, I feel like this provides a great way to connect with great people for a great cause.

What’s your strategy to win?
I will keep up my habits of always walking to work, and only driving if I have to, paired with being more aware of my activity levels throughout the day. If I’ve been sitting too, long I will make sure to get up and do some laps around the Duke Energy Center! I will also be using this as an excuse to increase my mileage with running, in order to rack up the steps on that pedometer.

What’s your advice for people trying to get more active?
Start small and work your way up. Don’t try to mimic what other people do, but instead find what works best for you. Just because someone has a routine that works for them doesn’t mean you will start working out, and all of a sudden, you’re in shape. Take those small steps like cutting out soda, parking in the lot farther away from your office to save money and force yourself to walk farther, and priortize your decision to transition to a healthy lifestyle. Putting structure in your life can be a big help. This could be taking workout classes where you will always have the help & motivation of an instructor or working with a private trainer to get you going, too.

Why should followers donate to NoFizzUSA and pledge to support you during the event?
Think about where the USA is right now. It’s gotten to where obesity is a threat to national security – it’s the #1 reason applicants fail when trying to qualify for the military. This all starts when you’re a child; if we stock schools with soda machines and sugar packed drinks, it becomes daily routine to consume these beverages. Donate to NoFizzUSA to help support a cause that brings education to our youth and encourages decision-makers to foster a healthy environment for the next generation of Americans.

For more information on the Walk The Walk Challenge, click here.

Pledge to Support Nan!
Every dollar you donate purchases water bottles, pedometers, fitness and nutrition aids, and collateral health materials to help NoFizzUSA work with young people in health outreach programs across the country!

When you donate, you will be prompted to add a message; write the name of the person you pledge to support. We’re a non-profit organization; donations are tax-deductible. For info, click here. Thank you for your contribution!

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MEET NAN
Nan is a Marketing Professional and Director in Charlotte, NC.

Follow her on: Twitter

Why are you taking the Walk The Walk Challenge?
Earlier this summer, I had a nasty fall and banged up my leg enough to be in a wheelchair for a little while. During this six-week healing period, not only could I not work out and walk, I was eating comfort food from friends, neighbors and relatives. Can you just imagine being laid up with nothing to do but watch Jersey Shore and eat tons of lasagna, pizza, hamburgers and cake? I need to get this extra 10 lbs off of me stat! (Here’s where I should admit that I was already a good 20 lbs. overweight before the fall). I also need to get fit and healthy before I go to Burundi, Africa in March of 2012. I don’t want to be out of breath and craving Diet Coke and Nachos while I’m on a mission trip.

What do you hope to get out of it?
I hope to find my strength and focus again. The injury really messed with my head and my attitude. I come from a family of sloths and have never been an athlete, so a walking competition is right up my alley! I also hope to encourage other 50-something women that are facing menopause that it’s never to late to start moving.

What’s your strategy to win?
I’m not sure I’ll win. Can I just have a goal of not coming in last place? My strategy will be to not sit down until the end of the evening!

What’s your advice for people trying to get more active?
Can I answer this on September 30th when I feel like I’ll have better advice then? I’ll be reading my other competitor’s answers for this question, and getting their secrets, starting NOW!

Why should followers donate to NoFizzUSA and pledge to support you during the event?
Because they love me and this is a great cause!

For more information on the Walk The Walk Challenge, click here.

Pledge to Support Mike!
Every dollar you donate purchases water bottles, pedometers, fitness and nutrition aids, and collateral health materials to help NoFizzUSA work with young people in health outreach programs across the country!

When you donate, you will be prompted to add a message; write the name of the person you pledge to support. We’re a non-profit organization; donations are tax-deductible. For info, click here. Thank you for your contribution!

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MEET MIKE
Mike is a writer, editor and video producer, at MikeDAvria.com

Follow him on: Twitter | HelloCharlotte.com | MikeDAvria.com

Why are you taking the Walk The Walk Challenge?
I am fat and this needs to change, especially since I have a baby on the way in a few months. It will be my first child, and I really need to start setting a good example. Plus, I would love to actually see my daughter grow up.

What do you hope to get out of it?
The motivation to walk, run, and get moving. I know that I can do this, but I sometimes need people keeping me motivated. Putting my workout habits out for the world to see will hopefully be able to keep me determined to “walk the walk.”

What’s your strategy to win?
Cross my fingers that other people sprain their ankles and can’t finish the month. OK, maybe that’s a negative-type strategy. Honestly, I joined a tennis league this summer and played three times a week. I start back up in September, and I think I will be able to add a lot of steps while running down drop shots.

What’s your advice for people trying to get more active?
Find something that works for you and stick to it. Stop asking other people, “how do you keep so thin?” It’s usually a pretty simple answer. They watch what they eat and drink and they probably exercise. There are no shortcuts.

Why should followers donate to NoFizzUSA and pledge to support you during the event?
Because without their help, my unborn child will be brought into the world the daughter of a fat man with no support!

For more information on the Walk The Walk Challenge, click here.

Pledge to Support Rich!
Every dollar you donate purchases water bottles, pedometers, fitness and nutrition aids, and collateral health materials to help NoFizzUSA work with young people in health outreach programs across the country!

When you donate, you will be prompted to add a message; write the name of the person you pledge to support. We’re a non-profit organization; donations are tax-deductible. For info, click here. Thank you for your contribution!

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MEET RICH
Rich is the Business Development director for CruiseDeals.com

Follow him on: Twitter | CruiseDeals.com | Cruise Blog | Rich’s Blog

Why are you taking the Walk The Walk Challenge?
Several reasons! First, the NoFizzUSA 60 for 60 Challenge helped me get back to a much healthier lifestyle, and second, I love participating in social media experiments, especially when they are for a good cause that I believe in!

What do you hope to get out of it?
I hope to lose the final 5 pounds of my initial goal, to get me down to 195 lbs (from 233)… And, a higher Klout score!

What’s your strategy to win?
Simple! To walk further than the other competitors…

What’s your advice for people trying to get more active?
Accountability and fun are both keys to sticking with something. Find partners, make it fun. Start small, keep it simple and be consistent!

Why should followers donate to NoFizzUSA and pledge to support you during the event?
NoFizzUSA is one of the most creative organizations at utilizing social media & traditional media to get their message to the masses. They get the community involved and have a ton of momentum. I am confident they’re an organization who will make the most out of every dollar donated.

For more information on the Walk The Walk Challenge, click here.