The folks over at Swedish Medical Center's Ballard Campus want the community to B-HIP, and what they mean is being healthy and in good physical shape.

B-HIP, otherwise known as the Ballard Health Improvement Project is holding its latest walk for health this Saturday, Nov. 18.

The event always features a discussion on health topics. The topic this time is Motivation to Move: Get Inspired to be more active. The talk starts at 9 a.m.

Lindsay Roy, health and wellness director from the downtown YMCA will give the talk.

Roy will discuss how people can stay motivated to exercise, especially now that the weather is changing, said Sharon Levan, coordinator of the Ballard Health Improvement Project.

At 10 a.m. walkers follow a half-mile to three-mile course. Pedometers, which measure how many steps people take and the distance they cover, will be sold at the discounted price of $5.

"Walkers get into groups accommodating people's needs," said Levan. Seniors and couples with children have attended past walks with different walking abilities.

The program was started in 2004 and is collaboration with between Swedish and the Ballard Rotary Club.

This program provides education and activities for the Ballard community and others in the North Seattle area. It is meant to identify and reduce personal risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease.

B-HIP's concept was partially inspired by a study done in Finland that showed major lifestyle changes in people's habits resulted in reducing incidents of heart disease and cancer in half.

By taking part in a walking program, people can lose weight, increase stamina, and decrease diabetes, high blood pressure, depression and osteoporosis.

The program recommends 30 minutes of activity five days a week. The 30 minutes can be done ten minutes at a time.

B-HIP is taking registration for their Be Active Program that supports participants for the next three months.

People need to decide what type of support they need. For example: receive phone support from staff; receive regular meeting information on activities and programs; be part of a walking group; listen to speakers; receive prizes and motivation to keep going.

B-HIP will send people Be Active Program packets of materials and be informed of monthly programs with information, incentives, and prizes to help them stay active.

To register for Be Active Ballard, contact Sharon Levan at Sharon.levan@swedish.org or call 386-2502.

B-HIP participants at the Nov 18 walk, can win a certificate for a free pair of shoes from Super Jock 'n Jill ($90 value).

Future B-HIP walk and talk programs are on Saturday, Dec. 16 with the topic Relax and Renew Yourself and Saturday, Jan. 20 with the discussion Hear the Latest on What Works: Weight Loss and Exercise.