GirlTrek getting women and girls moving towards better health - KMSP-TV

They're working to put the move in movement and inspiring young women to live healthier lives every step of the way.  The concept is simple.  Stop talking and start walking.

"Sometimes I will go outside, play with my sisters, but sometimes I will just stay inside and just sit around and watch TV," said Jessica James.

However, she doesn't spend as much time watching TV, and she and her friends have a teacher to thank for that.

"We walk every day, and I lost some weight," James said.

Chrysantha Norwood knows how the simple act of walking can change someone's life.

"I was extremely tired just all the time, no energy, just kind of like existing," she said.

Two years later, she has dropped 60 pounds and is preparing for a two week kayaking venture in Alaska.  She did it with GirlTrek, a national nonprofit dedicated to inspiring black women and girls to live healthier and more fulfilled lives through walking.

"The challenge is that African-American women are dying from preventable diseases," said Norwood.

Diseases that can be prevented by getting active.  GirlTrek sponsors walking challenges all over the country, and Norwood is leading the charge in Detroit.

The girls walk during the week and every Saturday at Belle Isle rain or shine.  Together they're doing a mini-marathon and being active is affecting everything from their health to their habits.

"If I can reach one child and have her to start making better choices about how she's living, perhaps she can impact her parents, and then she can go on to lead a better life," said Norwood.

GirlTrek is always looking for women and girls that want to get moving.  If you want more information, visit www.girltrek.org.