Are you getting your steps in today?  We at Sip & Savor often talk about the importance of balancing the calories you consume from all foods and beverages with the calories you burn through physical activity and exercise.

"Exercise is a vital component of achieving lifelong cardiovascular health," Dr. Gregg Fonarow, professor of cardiology at the University of California, Los Angeles, told HealthDay.

"Regular physical activity and maintaining physical fitness has been shown to be associated with a lower risk of [heart attack], stroke, and premature cardiovascular death," he said.

According to the American Heart Association, for health purposes, people should accumulate 10,000 steps or more a day, the equivalent of about five miles of walking.

We understand that trying to fit in even 30 minutes of physical activity on a good day can be tough.  That is why our member companies are helping to empower consumers to make choices that are right for them.

Through our Balance Calories Initiative, America’s beverage companies will leverage their marketing, innovation and distribution strengths to work toward a common goal of reducing beverage calories in the American diet.  At its core, this initiative is about providing consumers a range of beverage options, calorie information to help them make the choices that are right for them, and encouragement to help them balance all of their calories – including those from beverages – with daily physical activity.

For more information on how to empower consumers to make the choices that are right for them, visit DeliveringChoices.org.