NATCHEZ &045;&045; A group of area senior citizens took their first steps toward fitness Thursday afternoon.

And for the next 10 weeks they will be stepping across Natchez toward better nutrition, healthy exercise and physical fitness.

With the help of AARP and the Natchez Senior Center, 55 residents had their weight, height, blood pressure and their body mass index recorded during the first day of the center’s newest program, &uot;Stepping into Fitness: A Single Step at a Time.&uot;

At 1 p.m each Thursday for the next 10 week the seniors will attend 30-minute information sessions and then will take to the streets &045;&045; all with the goal of improving physical activity.

&uot;That is what we are hoping to do,&uot; AARP associate state director for community outreach Ivory Craig said. &uot;It’s not about losing weight. It’s about being physical.&uot;

Edwina Peterson, Natchez Senior Center coordinator of the event, agreed Thursday afternoon during the pre-screening health fair.

&uot;We are trying to show seniors ways to enhance the quality of their lives through exercise,&uot; Peterson said. &uot;Exercise benefits your body, it benefits your attitude and the way you relate to life.&uot;

Each week will highlight a particular topic from proper walking techniques to osteoporosis. Each information session will last approximately 30 minutes.

Afterwards participants will tie up their laces and step as a group through downtown Natchez. Starting at State Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Street, the seniors will wind through the downtown on one of two courses designed for each senior’s fitness level.

Just because the program has already started doesn’t mean there is no longer room for newcomers, Peterson said.

&uot;Anyone can come even if they didn’t participate in the health screenings,&uot; Peterson said.

By the end of the 10-week sessions, Peterson and Craig hope seniors will see the importance of daily exercise &045;&045; especially walking.

&uot;It is a great stress reliever,&uot; Peterson said. &uot;It’s cheap, you don’t’ have to have special equipment or training.&uot;

&uot;The best thing is we all know how to do it,&uot; Peterson said.