Wellness improved by walkers

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

The Putnam County Health Coalition congratulates and thanks all participants who recently completed the Walking for Wellness Program.

The goal of the countywide program was to promote personal responsibility in setting goals for good health and to encourage participants to make two simple changes: Move a little more, eat a little less.

The follow are highlights of the program:

There were many personal victories reported during the three-month program. Adding those personal victories together, our local community became the winner as Putnam County citizens walked a total of 89,522,517 steps (44,933 miles). That is close to walking two times around the Earth.

The top team walked 11,450,534 steps (5,725 miles). This is the equivalent of one time across the United States and back to Indiana.

Increased activity was reported at all levels. As a significant example, by the end of the eight week program, one team had increased their weekly average total by 46,877 steps.

Together, one couple walked a total of 1,887,704 steps (944 miles).

One important goal of the program was to encourage participation by individuals at all fitness levels. Representative of that inclusion is the range of total steps reported from 109,269 (55 miles) by one individual to 1,059,515 (535 miles) by the highest "stepper."

The average age of participants was 44.5 years old. The age range was from 15 years to 78 years. The average per week was 45,654 steps.

The average per day was 6,522 steps.

For more detailed result information, call 653-6178.

Perhaps even more encouraging are the comments of people who did not officially report, but indicated making changes and increasing their daily activity levels: shoppers parking farther away from stores, workers walking during breaks and lunches, and even golfers walking instead of riding.

Organizers of the project say it takes local community partnership, commitment, and support to address the current health challenges and to help shift the trend towards a healthier lifestyle.

The following community partners contributed to the local wellness initiative:

Putnam County Hospital, Putnam County Health Department, Purdue Extension, Putnam County/Greencastle Development Center, Greencastle Parks and Recreation Department, People Pathways, Buzzi Unicem USA, Bittles and Hurt/Hopkins-Rector, Crown Equipment Corporation, "No-Sail" Splash Guard Co., Inc.

Organizers say they understand that Walking for Wellness is only one component of the community's health improvement effort. They say they are grateful for each person who participated and supported this wellness effort.

Fore more information about program implementation businesses, industry, or groups, contact the Putnam County Health Department/Ann Weatherford 653-5210 or Putnam County Hospital/ Annette Handy 653-5121.

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