Hit the street (or trail) and join 'team walking' program

Spring may not have quite sprung, but the days are longer and many of us are eager to resume outdoor recreational activities.

In an effort to encourage people to ramp up the “active” in their activity, Penn State Extension is offering “Everybody Walk Across PA.”

Individuals of all ages and levels of physical ability can participate in the eight-week walking program.

“This is our seventh year statewide,” says Karen Bracey, food, families and health educator with Penn State Extension in Wyoming County.

Benefits of walking

The program notes moderate activity, including walking, reduces stress and fatigue while increasing mental alertness.

Combining walking with healthy eating can help people to reduce or maintain body weight and decrease incidence of certain chronic diseases.

Individuals are encouraged to invite family, friends or co-workers to join teams of up to five members. Your dog can also count as a walker, and likely will love the exercise and fresh air.

“We have some office, workplace teams. Some workplace sites have multiple teams and create their own friendly competition. We have some family teams,” Bracey says.

“I have been running it all of these years, and a couple of teams have been doing it for seven years,” she adds.

The program begins March 30 and runs through May 18.

Team members will try to walk or exercise an average of 15 miles per week, for a total of eight weeks. Participants can walk with team members or individually, whenever and wherever is convenient.

An exercise conversion chart is available to help walkers convert physical activity into miles walked.

Some may walk more than others, and planners note the program is not a contest and there is no minimum requirement. The goal is to keep working to improve and continue moving toward a healthier lifestyle.

Members are encouraged to have fun, naming their teams, getting team T-shirts if they wish and just enjoying some friendly competition.

Participants will receive weekly newsletters via email including motivators to keep walking, along with strategies for eating healthy. Team captains will track and report their teams’ total miles.

The program is free, but registration is required by March 30 by contacting Bracey.

Details: 570-836-3196 or extension.psu.edu