Organization for 2010 Walk Kansas gets underway

Steps are being taken to organize the 2010 Walk Kansas fitness challenge.

The statewide eight-week fitness challenge, a program sponsored by the Kansas State Research and Extension Office, is scheduled this year to take place from March 7 to May 1. About 300 people from the community participate in the event each year, K-State Research and Extension Family and Consumer Science Agent Ann Ludlum said.

"I'm excited about what the Walk Kansas program can do for area residents who want to improve their health and fitness," Ludlum said. "Just taking small steps, such as getting some physical activity daily and eating more fruits and vegetables, can have a dramatic impact on wellness."

This is the ninth year Bourbon County residents have participated in the program, which is not designed as a competition between teams. Rather, teams and individuals are encouraged to set goals for making changes that will help them establish healthy lifestyle habits.

Because good nutrition is part of a healthy lifestyle, participants will be encouraged to increase the amount of fruits and vegetables they eat, Ludlum said.

Participants will keep track of their daily physical activity and cups of fruits and vegetables eaten. The time counted should be that which is devoted to physical activity, not that which is part of one's daily routine. Collectively, the goal is for each team to walk, or complete through other physical activity, equivalent to 423 miles, the distance across Kansas from east to west.

The program emphasizes walking because it is an activity in which most people can participate. The only cost is a sturdy pair of walking shoes, and it can be done at a time and location that is convenient to the participant. It has also been shown that walking is the form of physical activity with the lowest dropout rate, according to Ludlum.

Other forms of physical activity, done for at least 10 minutes at a time, may be counted as well. If each team member meets the minimum physical activity recommendations, they would be able to complete the distance across Kansas during the program.

Ludlum said 150 minutes of physical activity each week is recommended for each individual. This is the recommendation established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in their 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.

Teams will consist of six people with one person serving as team captain, who will be responsible for collecting weekly totals from team members and reporting them to the Extension office or the Walk Kansas Web site.

Weekly newsletters to all participants will contain updates on team progress, healthy lifestyle information on physical activity, stress management, tips for eating better, and a recipe.

Registration cost is $6 per individual, or $15 for a family. Optional T-shirts may be purchased for an additional charge. Registration deadline is Wednesday, Feb. 24, if ordering T-shirts. All registrations should be turned in to the Bourbon County Extension office by Monday, March 1.

A kickoff event will take place at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 6, in the Fort Scott Community College Round Room, 2108 S. Horton St. The first 75 participants will receive pedometers. Teams will be recognized, pre-ordered shirts will be distributed, and incentives will be given out. A speaker from the health field will be at the event to inspire and motivate attendees.

A celebration at the end of the program is also planned. At this event, teams and individuals will be recognized for their accomplishments and all attendees will be eligible for prizes such as a digital music player or electronic fitness game.

An optional weight loss incentive program will also be offered. Individuals who choose to participate may weigh in at the start and conclusion of the program. Participants who achieve the greatest weight loss will receive memberships to the fitness center at Buck Run Community Center.

Once the program begins, progress of all teams may be viewed online at www.walkkansas.org.

During last year's event, 306 individuals on 51 local teams exercised an equivalent of 42,983 miles and ate 46,131 cups of fruits and vegetables.

Registration packets can be picked up at the Extension office on the first floor of the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National Ave., from 8:30 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Registration forms are also available on the Bourbon County Extension Web site at www.bourbon.ksu.edu.

Contact Ludlum at (620) 223-3720 for more information.