AMERICUS — Are you ready to be pro-active with your health?  Are you ready to get moving?  During the past 30 years, there has been a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States.  It is estimated that 65 percent of adults in the U.S. are overweight or obese.  In addition, nearly 9 million children older than age 6 are currently overweight.  Georgia currently ranks second in the nation for obese and overweight school age and high school students.  How can we stop this epidemic?  Well, choosing to eat foods that are more nutritious, watching our portion sizes and starting an exercise program is a GREAT start.

It’s time to get moving!  From children to adults, Georgians across the state are working toward a healthier lifestyle with the help of a University of Georgia Cooperative Extension fitness program called “Walk Georgia.”  Since the program began in 2008, more than 20,000 participants have logged more than 2.2 million “virtual” miles of physical activity.  Walk Georgia is a 12 -week on-line fitness program designed to increase your physical activity in a fun, community-oriented way.  The goal is to be active, whether you’re walking, biking or dancing.  

The Walk Georgia Goals:  

• Develop the habit of regular physical activity.

• Have fun!

• Gain support from others interested in moving more.

• Become healthier – get in shape!

The online component of Walk Georgia provides an activity record for individuals or teams of up to four people to keep track of weekly physical activity and time.  Just record your physical activity and log your real time exercise virtually at www.walkgeorgia.org.  The activity is recorded and translated into “walked” miles, based on average rigor of the chosen activity and the time spent in activity.  A wide range of activities, including aerobics, biking, swimming and even bowling, can be logged.  The time spent exercising is translated into walked miles online as members work to travel across the state.  The goal is for you or your team to walk 15 miles per week.  As you accumulate miles, you navigate a map of Georgia and chart your course to “walk” Georgia.  As you progress across the state, you will learn facts about each county such as famous citizens born in the county, favorite tourist spots and historic facts.  Each week you will receive by email a colorful Walk Georgia newsletter with articles on nutrition and physical activity.  You will also receive tasty, low calorie recipes to try.

Join us!  Put on your shoes and join us as we move more and become healthier. Walk Georgia is a free program open to adults, youth, families, schools, community organizations and employers.  Participate in Walk Georgia as an individual or as a team of four.  Registration is open through March 11, 2013.  Visit www.walkgeorgia.org to register yourself or your four-person team.  Call your friends, start several teams at work and compete with each other, get your children involved – whatever it takes to Move More, Live More!



Mitzi Bacon is Sumter County Extension agent, Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service. Contact her at 924-4476.