Women Walk Putnam County program to begin

Sunday, August 9, 2015

Incorporating physical activity into your everyday routine is important for good health.

Physical activity helps weight management, reduces risk of cardiovascular disease, and strengthens bones (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015). Oftentimes when individuals think of physical activity our minds automatically think of running and/or jogging.

However, did you know that walking produces some of the same benefits as running and/or jogging? The American Heart Association reports walking briskly can lower your risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, just as much as running.

In fact, research conducted at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Life Science Division in Berkley, Calif., concluded that the same energy used for moderate-intensity walking and vigorous-intensity running resulted in similar reductions in risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and possibly coronary heart disease over the study's six years (2015). This correlates with the Center of Disease Control and Prevention recommendations indicating adults need at least 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise or 75 minutes per week of vigorous exercise (or a combination of moderate and vigorous activity). Thirty minutes a day, five times a week is an easy goal to remember.

As means of providing an outlet for physical activity the Purdue Extension Putnam County office and Putnam County Hospital have teamed up to launch the second annual Women Walk Putnam County.

Women Walk Putnam County is a program geared toward women in Putnam County. The group will meet every Wednesday at 8 a.m. for a 30-minute walk at a new venue every week. Goals will be set and healthy challenges will be made as the program progresses.

The program will kick off with the annual luncheon at noon Wednesday, Aug. 26 at Putnam County Hospital. At the luncheon, participants will receive their walking calendar, pedometers, and other pertinent information. The luncheon and program are free of charge. However, you must RSVP for the luncheon by contacting Jennifer Cannon at 653-8411 no later than Aug. 24.

While the Women Walk Putnam County program is tailored to women, we encourage everyone to stay connected with the Purdue Extension office. It has several upcoming health programs for individuals and families, including Healthy Cooking 101, Dining with Diabetes, Where Does Your Money Go? and more.

Visit the homepage at www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam or contact the local Purdue Extension Office by calling 653-8411 for more information regarding this week's column topic or to RSVP for upcoming events. It is always best to call first to assure items are ready when you arrive and to RSVP for programs. While many publications are free, some do have a fee.

Upcoming Events:

Aug. 7-23 -- Indiana State Fair

Aug. 11 -- World Breastfeeding Month celebration, Robe-Ann Park, 12-2 p.m.

Aug. 12 -- Sign-up deadline for Purdue Master Gardener course.

Aug. 24 -- Start date for Purdue Master Gardener course.

Aug. 26 -- Women Walk Putnam County second annual luncheon.

Aug. 27 -- IEHA spring district meeting, Sullivan County.

Aug. 28 -- My Record of Achievement forms due.

Aug. 29 -- Purdue Extension and Girl Scouts of America Color Splash, 9 a.m.

Sept. 3 -- Putnam County Fair and 4-H Club Association Board annual meeting.

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