Longer days and warmer temperatures are a great sign that spring is just around the corner. There is still time to dust off those walking shoes and coordinate a Walk KS team. In its 12th year Walk KS has come to be recognized as a “Signature” program for K-State Research and Extension. Nearly 20,000 people across the state will be logging minutes exercised and keeping track of their vegetable and fruit consumption beginning March 17th.
The Walk KS program consists of teams of six people who turn in weekly totals to a team captain. After the initial registration is turned in, the reporting may be completed on-line. A $3 registration per team member is collected to offset some of the program expenses at the state level. A weekly newsletter that offers great motivational tips and a healthy recipe will be posted on our web site.
This year Walk KS teams may choose from three different challenges. Challenge #1 is 423 miles which represents the distance across KS. Challenge #2 is 846 or across and back and the third challenge is 1,200 miles representing the distance around the perimeter of the state. Another part of the eight week challenge is to keep track of the number of servings of vegetables and fruits.
Although it is fun to track the progress of each team, I want to emphasize that there is no prize for accumulating the most minutes exercised. The real goal of the program is to get people moving! Regular exercise and healthy eating choices made over the course of 8 weeks can become a habit.
If you do not have a team to join please contact me. We won’t turn anyone away. In fact the last several years we have had a team we named “Mix and Match” for those wanting to participate without a team. Ask family members, co-workers or neighbors to join you in this fitness challenge. Team packets are still available at our office or the Great Bend and Hoisington Recreation centers. We would like to have all of the paperwork in by March 14th. T-shirts in iris blue or military green are available for an additional fee.
Donna Krug is the Family and Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Barton County. You may reach her at (620)793-1910 or dkrug@ksu.edu