Walk Kansas 2022
by, Marcus Johnson, Dg. Co. Community Health Intern
This spring the Walk Kansas program is back and we're so excited to get started! The eight-week-long program goes from March 27th to May 21st and registration starts March 1st. During these eight weeks, individuals are encouraged to form teams, eat better, be more active, and manage stress in a healthy way.
Walk Kansas 2022 is going for an approach different from its previous years. This time around our objective is not only encouraging physical activity but also informing why exercise and eating healthier can be so beneficial to your life. Leading a health-conscious lifestyle can help reduce the risk of heart disease; obesity; diabetes; mental health; cancer; brain health; and much more.
Participants of Walk Kansas should form teams of six but there is also a solo option this year if that's what is preferred. They're three main
challenges to choose from (8 Wonders, Cross Country, and Little Balkans to Nicodemus). However, there also is a solo challenge available (Purple Power Solo Trail). Each specific county may have its own set of challenges to complete. For every team, a designated captain is required and is responsible for registering their teammates and providing motivation to everyone throughout the program.
The challenge trails differ from one another based on the total amount of physical activity participants are required to do per week. For example, the Cross Country trail requires at least 4 hours, the 8 Wonders trail requires participants to complete at least 2.5 hours of physical activity, and the Little Balkans to Nicodemus trail requires each member to complete a total of 6 hours of physical activity each week. The Purple Power Solo Trail does not have a specific demand on the number of hours an individual needs to spend participating in physical activity every week but rather encourages participants to complete as many hours as one can within the duration of the eight-week program.
From the start of the program, participants will receive e-newsletters that include food consumption tips; nutrient-dense recipes; physical activity; and information regarding events occurring at the local and state levels.
After participants have signed up for Walk Kansas, every team member will engage in moderate to vigorous physical activity, whether that consists of walking, swimming, running, etc. For Walk Kansas 2022 however, participants are encouraged to pursue any activity that may pique their interest. The main point is to just get moving! As always the Walk Kansas program contains a nutritional aid piece that provides resources and informs members how important it is to consume nutrient-dense foods and all the food groups.
It is $10 per person to register for Walk Kansas 2022. You can sign up as late as March 26th. It is important to know that this year any state employees participating in Walk Kansas will receive Health Quest credit as well as waived fees for the program.
To register or for more information regarding Walk Kansas 2022, go to https://www.walkkansasonline.org/ or visit https://www.douglas.k-state.edu/health-nutrition/walk-kansas.html .
