By SALINA POST
You know spring is near when it's time to sign up for K-State Research and Extension's popular Walk Kansas program.
"With warmer weather right around the corner, I'm looking forward to getting back outside and walking. The simple activity of walking has so many wonderful health benefits," said Lisa Newman, family and community wellness extension agent for the Central Kansas District.
Two-thirds of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis, can be prevented or delayed by lifestyle changes. Such changes include regularly going for walks or other exercise. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each week or about 30 minutes a day, five days a week.
Walk Kansas is a team-based challenge that encourages people to walk, jog, run, bike, swim or do whatever they need to do to live more healthfully, according to information from K-State Research and Extension.
“Walk Kansas was founded on the principle that if teams of six people would meet the minimum guidelines for physical activity over eight weeks, they could collectively and virtually walk across the state of Kansas, which is 423 miles,” said Sharolyn Jackson, the state leader of the Walk Kansas program.
The 2023 Walk Kansas program kicks off on March 26 and will run eight weeks through May 20. Registration begins Wednesday. To register online, click here. The cost per person is $10; t-shirts can be purchased for a separate charge.
Walk Kansas also offers a solo challenge for those who don’t have a team or just prefer to take on the challenge themselves. Participants do not have to live in Kansas to be on a team or to do the solo challenge.
"In addition to being active, I love the social capital aspect of Walk Kansas," Newman said. "The relationships among those participating are so valuable. Whether it's team members walking together or a solo participant waving at nearby neighbors they might not otherwise see very often, Walk Kansas offers something for everyone."
While participants track their minutes of activity, which are converted into virtual miles of activity, they also are asked to report the number of cups of fruits, vegetables, and water they consume weekly. Additionally, participants are encouraged to add some type of strength exercise to their routine, KSRE noted.
From April 2 through May 14 – Weeks 2 through 7 of Walk Kansas – organizers will offer a weekly webinar on healthy eating, focusing on the Mediterranean diet, Jackson said. The course is called Med Instead of Med to reflect the goal to help participants learn ways to potentially replace medications with healthy eating.
“Walk Kansas, holistically, really is a chronic disease prevention program or a way to delay the onset of chronic disease,” Jackson said. “For those already with a chronic disease, they can learn ways to manage it better through physical activity and healthy eating. We often think about (diseases) that might be genetic, or it’s just your family history. But the reality is that two-thirds of chronic diseases can be prevented or delayed by these lifestyle changes.”