We are in a tough spot as a nation with sedentary lifestyles and poor diet choices. That's lead to obesity, diabetes, hypertension, you name it.

I've been fascinated by something that Sam's Club is doing. With mailers they've been sending, the warehouse club is putting an emphasis on what you can do to eat better and live a healthier lifestyle.

This is not just PR fluff. In the September issue of their magazine for members, they have a fitness program geared to someone who has been completely sedentary. It is a 5-month effort to take that person from doing no exercise to participating in a 5K.

The Sam's Club plan starts so gradually. You do 5 minute exercise one day, and take the next day off. Repeat that for a couple days. Then gradually, slowly, it builds up to 10 minutes, 15 minutes, and 20 minutes.

It's so slow and steady that ultimately you win the race, so to speak.

In a separate initiative on the fitness front, you can use the Map My Run app if you have a smartphone to track routes and know how fast you're going, among other things. There are also Map My Walk and Map My Bike Ride versions. All are freemium services where you get enough capability for most people for free.

Meanwhile, I don't know where Sam's idea came from, but my hats off to them.