If your fitness routine has lagged due to COVID-19 or for other reasons, you might need a new challenge to get back on track. Walk Across Arkansas can help. Registration is open (began September 8) for 2020 Fall Walk Across Arkansas for the dates of September 21 – November 15.
The eight-week exercise program is organized each spring and fall by the Cooperative Extension Service, part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, with the goal of helping Arkansans improve their health. Participation is free, and online registration opened September 8 at uaex.edu/walk.
Last year, 524 Arkansans statewide participated in the fall 2019 Walk Across Arkansas, logging 798,340 minutes, with 104 teams from 37 counties walking. Many of those participants reported they had more energy, slept better, controlled stress, strengthened relationships, lost weight or inches and improved their blood panels and blood pressure.
Physical activity can lower the risk of early death, coronary heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, Type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome and some cancers, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Exercise also helps with weight loss and can improve mood and energy level and help us stress less.
National physical activity guidelines recommend that adults achieve at least 150 minutes of aerobic physical activity and two strength training sessions per week, and youth need at least 60 minutes of exercise daily.
To participate, find a few friends to form a team and register online. Joining a team (4-6 members) provides support to help you reach your goals, but team members do not have to be physically active together. Then, from September 21 to November 15, record the amount of time you spend walking or getting any other form of exercise. You can do any type of physical activity as long as you increase your heart rate or break a sweat.
Minutes can be logged online, or you can contact your local county extension agent for paper forms. Team captains can log in minutes for team members who prefer not to create a log in account. For more information about Walk Across Arkansas, contact the Hempstead County Extension office at 870-777-5771 or email Terrie James, Staff Chair-FCS Agent, at [email protected].
Have some fun this fall with friends and family -socially distancing of course- and get fit with Walk Across Arkansas.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.