Released: March 21, 2005

Fitness Program Makes the Impossible--Possible

MANHATTAN, Kan. – More people seem to be walking this spring, but weather alone may not be the reason: Ninety-five of Kansas’ 105 counties are sponsoring Walk Kansas, an inexpensive health and fitness program that encourages walking for health.

The Extension program is in its fourth year and popular – more than 16,000 people participated last year, said Mike Bradshaw, Kansas State University Research and Extension safety specialist. Program start dates vary by county.

Walk Kansas is easy and makes something that might seem impossible – walking the distance equivalent to walking across the state, 423 miles from east to west – possible, said Bradshaw, who coordinates the state effort. Here’s how it works:

Walk Kansas participants are asked to sign up in teams of six. Teams typically include family, friends, neighbors or co-workers.

“If you can’t fill out a team, the Extension office can help pair you with others who share an interest in improving health,” he said.

During the eight-week program, team members record miles walked each day and report weekly to a team captain who shares the team’s progress report to the Extension office.

“Team members need to average 1.75 miles per day five days a week to cover the distance across the state,” Bradshaw said.

Walking is encouraged because it’s something almost everyone can do and doesn’t require special equipment other than a pair of comfortable walking shoes, he said.

Other aerobic exercise such as running, swimming or bicycling may be counted. Each 15-minute segment is equal to a mile, Bradshaw said.

Low cost and convenience have contributed to the program’s popularity, but Bradshaw said that knowing team members are counting on you to contribute is definitely a motivator.

Participants in the program receive a weekly nutrition and health newsletter, which emphasizes health-promoting fruit and vegetable consumption and meal planning ideas. The mileage log also includes a place to jot down how many fruits and vegetables are eaten each day.

“Writing down the number of fruits and vegetables eaten each day has been an eye-opener for some people,” said Bradshaw. A co-worker who participated on his team last year didn’t realize how few fruits and vegetables she was eating. As she increased her consumption of the health-promoting foods, she realized that she wasn’t as hungry for other foods that offered fewer health benefits. She lost 20 pounds during the eight-week walking program and has continued walking for health and has lost an additional 20 pounds and maintained the weight loss.

For more information on Walk Kansas in your county, contact the local K-State Research and Extension office or check the program Web site: www.oznet.ksu.edu/walk.

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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