Lace up your walking shoes. The 2006 "Walk 100 Miles in 100 Days" campaign is now under way and will run (or walk) through June 27. Each year employees and family members look forward to getting back outside and being physically active while shedding that winter weight gain.
Walk 100 Miles in 100 Days began in 1995 with 300 walkers at UHA and WVUH. This marks the 12th year of the annual event. In 2005, internal participation at the WVU Health Sciences campus reached a total of 222 teams with 2,957 individuals registered and walking a total of 379,929 miles (128.5 average miles walked/individual). An amazing 99 percent of all participants were successful in earning a commemorative tee shirt!
External participation reached a total of 40 area businesses registered with 1,749 total participants in 2005. The program is also open to individuals in the community.
Why the success? People enjoy walking together. It's an opportunity to do something that is fun and healthy with family members and or friends. While West Virginia has the unfortunate distinction of being one of the least physically active and obese states in the nation, the average person last year burned off over 5 pounds of body fat while walking to better health.
To achieve health benefits from exercise, it does not need to be strenuous. Physical activity such as walking helps to control weight while also reducing the risk of dying prematurely by helping to fight and or control the development of heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Physical activity such as walking also helps build and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints. Regular walking improves mood, helps relieve depression and anxiety, and increases feelings of psychological well being.
For more information, call 304-293-2520 or go to www.hsc.wvu.edu/wellness.