AUBURN – The Auburn-Lewiston YMCA has announced that it surpassed its goal of 1 million extra steps by tallying a total of 2,000,780 “extra steps” taken during the recent America on the Move Week.

The intent of the week was to get participants to do something “extra” each day in the form of some type of physical activity that could be converted to steps to promote better health and fitness.

“We are thrilled to have had more then 400 participants take part in America on the Move Week,” said YMCA health and fitness director Doug McFarland. “Many of our YMCA members took part along with the YWCA, the New School classes of Tammy Fecteau, Barbara Boulet, Ann Boucher and Becky Skilling, Uncle Andy’s Digest, Daisy Garden Child Care and the YMCA child care program.”

He said, “Hannaford donated a lot of healthy snacks, so it was a very successful event as we more than doubled our goal. I am pleased to see that people utilized running, walking, swimming, biking, exercise classes, racquetball, tennis and many other activities to accumulate the extra steps.”

McFarland added, “We are hopeful that many of the participants will continue taking extra steps each day to promote their health and well being. Research has proven that Americans can help maintain a healthy weight by cutting a few daily calories and taking 2,000 extra steps each day, the equivalent of walking one mile. Small lifestyle changes can have a big impact on the overall health of a community.”

For more information on “extra steps” or any of the YMCA programs, visit the facility at 62 Turner St., call 795-4095 or visit www.alymca.com.