The Cooperative Extension Service is encouraging Arkansans to take another step, or 10,000, toward healthy living with Walk Across Arkansas.
Walk Across Arkansas is held twice a year to encourage an active lifestyle.
“We’re just trying to get people active. The recommendations are 150 minutes a week of exercise,” said Carla Haley, Miller County Extension agent of the University of Arkansas’ Division of Agriculture.
This year, the Walk is making several changes.
For example, instead of recording miles walked during the eight-week program, participants will be asked to record the number of minutes exercised each day. Minutes can be counted if the exercise is done with the purpose of getting more physical activity and is done in increments of at least 10 minutes.
The change reflects recent research into healthy living.
“In the past, research recommended that people walk 10,000 steps a day, which is why we walked and recorded steps and miles,” said Dr. Margaret Harris, assistant professor of health with UA’s Division of Agriculture. “New recommended guidelines call for at least 150 minutes of exercise per week, which accounts for our changes.”
Participants can also record any weight loss if losing weight is a goal.
“People can start walking. It can be in 10-minute bouts ... until they get to 30 minutes a day. That’s what’s recommended,” Haley said. “It can be children, parents, grandparents or work individuals that walk together. It doesn’t have to be just walking. It can be minutes of exercise per week. It can be bicycling, tennis or anything like that.”
Arkansas residents, like many across the United States, aren’t as fit as they could be.
“I think we are pretty much like everybody else. We have obesity and overweight issues in all age groups just like other states. We just don’t exercise enough,” Haley said.
Walk Across Arkansas has been successful in the past. In fall 2009, the program had almost 900 participants. In spring 2010, 224 teams with 1,721 people participated.
“I would like to see everyone do it. We’re hoping of course that it grows,” Haley said.
Walk Across America is free.
“We used to do teams and prizes, but now the goal is just to get people moving ... so your prize is your overall better health in the end,” Haley said.
Call Haley at 870-779-3609 for information. Register online at uaex.edu.
Walk Across Arkansas is held twice a year to encourage an active lifestyle.
“We’re just trying to get people active. The recommendations are 150 minutes a week of exercise,” said Carla Haley, Miller County Extension agent of the University of Arkansas’ Division of Agriculture.
This year, the Walk is making several changes.
For example, instead of recording miles walked during the eight-week program, participants will be asked to record the number of minutes exercised each day. Minutes can be counted if the exercise is done with the purpose of getting more physical activity and is done in increments of at least 10 minutes.
The change reflects recent research into healthy living.
“In the past, research recommended that people walk 10,000 steps a day, which is why we walked and recorded steps and miles,” said Dr. Margaret Harris, assistant professor of health with UA’s Division of Agriculture. “New recommended guidelines call for at least 150 minutes of exercise per week, which accounts for our changes.”
Participants can also record any weight loss if losing weight is a goal.
“People can start walking. It can be in 10-minute bouts ... until they get to 30 minutes a day. That’s what’s recommended,” Haley said. “It can be children, parents, grandparents or work individuals that walk together. It doesn’t have to be just walking. It can be minutes of exercise per week. It can be bicycling, tennis or anything like that.”
Arkansas residents, like many across the United States, aren’t as fit as they could be.
“I think we are pretty much like everybody else. We have obesity and overweight issues in all age groups just like other states. We just don’t exercise enough,” Haley said.
Walk Across Arkansas has been successful in the past. In fall 2009, the program had almost 900 participants. In spring 2010, 224 teams with 1,721 people participated.
“I would like to see everyone do it. We’re hoping of course that it grows,” Haley said.
Walk Across America is free.
“We used to do teams and prizes, but now the goal is just to get people moving ... so your prize is your overall better health in the end,” Haley said.
Call Haley at 870-779-3609 for information. Register online at uaex.edu.