Released: February 19, 2004

Health and Fitness Program is Easy, Inexpensive

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Spring-like days invite outdoor activity, but they alone may not be enough to encourage heart-healthy exercise, said Mike Bradshaw, K-State Research and Extension health and safety specialist.

Beginning an exercise program is easy. Sticking with it can be more difficult, said Bradshaw, who also serves as the program coordinator for Walk Kansas, Extension’s easy and economical health and fitness program.

“Walk Kansas was developed to encourage people to increase healthful physical activity,” he said. “Thirty minutes of physical activity five or more days a week is recommended for mental and physical health. It is particularly helpful in managing weight, reducing stress and controlling hypertension.”

Although walking is encouraged because it doesn’t require a special time, place or equipment (other than shoes), aerobic exercise such as running, bicycling, swimming, dance and step aerobics, yoga, pilates, weight training and team sports also can count.

The eight-week program encourages teams of six (family, friends, neighbors, coworkers or others in the community) to log miles or equivalent minutes of physical activity to cover the 423 miles across Kansas, he said.

“Team members may choose to exercise together, but doing so isn’t required,” Bradshaw said. “What’s most important is encouraging each other to exercise at their own pace and log miles that contribute to the team goal of crossing the state.”

Walk Kansas program costs vary slightly from county to county, but are usually $10 or less. Sign-up dates also vary, but will begin soon in many counties.

Participants receive a mileage log and newsletters with food, nutrition and health tips during the program. New this year is the encouragement to increase the number of health-promoting servings of fruits and vegetables, he said.

Programs generally begin with a kick-off event and conclude with an awards ceremony. Interested persons may want to ask others to form a team and enroll together or ask to be placed on a team so they can meet new people who also have an interest in improving health and fitness.

Walk Kansas was introduced in 2002. In its first year, 43 counties – and more than 7,000 people – participated. Last year, more than 12,000 people representing 82 of Kansas’ 105 counties signed up for the program. This year, 89 counties have signed up to date, Bradshaw said.

For registration or more information, contact the county K-State Research and Extension office.

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K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Story by:
Nancy Peterson
nancyp@oznet.ksu.edu
K-State Research& Extension News