Local groups trek more than 8,500 miles in a week
During the YMCA’s American On the Move week, local residents
clocked enough steps to walk from Hollister to Sydney, Australia
with a few steps to spare.
Local groups trek more than 8,500 miles in a week
During the YMCA’s American On the Move week, local residents clocked enough steps to walk from Hollister to Sydney, Australia with a few steps to spare.
Staff members at the YMCA of San Benito County gave out 500 red pedometers in September so that local residents could track their steps from Sept. 20 to 27. Twenty groups signed up to track and total their steps, including local schools, businesses and some government agencies.
“During America On the Move Week with the YMCA, we embarked on an effort to mobilize the community and encourage individuals and families to move more and eat healthier, one step at a time,” said Rochelle Callis, the executive director of the YMCA of San Benito County. “Collectively, we can work together to remove barriers and increase opportunities for physical activity and healthy eating for all.”
Participants walked more than 21.3 million steps during the week, an equivalent of about 8,500 miles. Some of the activities included a Friday walk sponsored by the YMCA and a hike along the De Anza National Trail in San Juan Bautista.
Ladd Lane Elementary School took the most steps, with a total of more than 11.5 million. Teknova employees came in second with 3.3 million steps.
More than 1,300 YMCA programs participated in the America On the Move program. The America On the Move Foundation, a national nonprofit dedicated to improving the health and quality of people’s lives, has reported that making two changes a day can make a difference in a person’s life – walking 2,000 more steps a day (about one mile) and eating 100 fewer calories. Those two changes can prevent the average weight gain of one to two pounds a year.
The foundation staff have put together 10 suggestions that can help families get started:
– Walk around the outside aisles of the grocery store before shopping.
– Start a walking club in your community.
– Make several trips up and down the stairs to do laundry or other household chores.
– Keep a walking journal, and in addition to tracking steps, jot down how you feel after returning from a walk – enhanced energy is a great motivator.
– Go for a walk before starting your morning commute.
– Avoid elevators and escalators.
– Escape the stress of a difficult day by excusing yourself for a few minutes of walking.
– Entice kids to join on a walk by turning it into a scavenger hunt.
– Walk with kids to the local park.
– Reward yourself for step accomplishments. For example, every time you reach your step goal for the day, put a dollar in a jar and save for a special award.
More tips can be found online at www.ymca.net where there are documents such as 100 ways to eat healthier, 100 ways to surround your family with success and 100 ways to add 2,000 steps. The site also includes conversion charts for adults and children that show what the equivalent steps are for some activities such as bicycling, soccer, basketball or even shopping at the mall.
Sponsors of the event included PepsiCo, Teknova, the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce, California State Parks and the Juan Bautista De Anza National Historic Trail.
