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Logo - Outline of State of Arkansas with a footprints walking in the middle of the state.Walk Across Arkansas
September 21 - November 15

Team Categories Results (PDF)

Introduction

"Walk Across Arkansas" is a statewide physical activity campaign and friendly competition coordinated by the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture - Cooperative Extension Service, Family Consumer Sciences Department. By simply increasing the number of steps taken every day, Arkansans can improve their health—one day, one step at a time. If you’ve wanted to bring in more activity into your lifestyle, "Walk Across Arkansas" is the place to start!

How it works

We invite all Arkansans to participate in activities that will encourage movement and promote health. By simply taking a few extra "steps," you will be well on your journey towards health. "Walk Across Arkansas" is an 8-week program (offered in the fall and the spring) that is simple, inexpensive and safe. All you need is a pedometer, a team of up to eight people and a desire to get moving. Any kind of physical activity can be recorded. The mileage you gather from an entire day is recorded.

1. First, form a walking team of up to eight people. This includes anyone you know (friends, family, church members, clubs, etc.)

2. Choose a team captain and pick a name for your team. (You will have one captain + up to seven members)

3. Fill out your Individual Registration Form and give to your Captain. Be sure to sign and date your form. Team captains can return all member forms to their county agent.

4. Record your mileage from each day. You are encouraged to wear your pedometer all day. The pedometer will keep track of all your steps. Record mileage into your Individual Mileage Log. If your pedometer does not record miles walked, or you are doing other activities, here are some tips on conversions:

a. 2000 steps = 1 mile

i. Example: If you walk 5,500 steps, do the following conversion: 5,500/2000 = 2.75 miles.

b. Most people choose to walk, but our goal is to make activity fun. So, if you want to count other activities too (such as rollerblading, dancing, biking), here is a conversion chart to help you record your mileage. Select this link.

5. Try to add more activity to what you normally do so that at the end of eight weeks you can see an improvement. Most researchers agree that 10,000 steps a day is a great goal to reach for improving health. To lose weight, strive to reach 12,000 - 15,000 steps per day. If you feel you cannot reach these goals at this time, no worries. Just strive for an extra 30 minutes of walking a day in addition to what you normally do with everyday activities. For more information on setting goals, select this link.

6. Don’t forget to reset your pedometer to 0 every morning!

7. Report your weekly total to your team captain.

8. Team captains will add up all the members’ miles for the week and report the team total to your County Extension Agent.

a. Teams with less than eight members will divide total miles walked by number on team and then multiply the result by "8" to determine total miles walked.

9. Prizes will be awarded (See below for details). However, what is great about this program is that all of us are winners because you all win the benefits of health and feeling much better.

10. Plan to have lots of FUN! Please don’t forget to turn in your "Program Wrap-Up Form" to your Team Captain. This will help us keep track of how well all of us are doing!

Checklist for Captains: Captains are responsible to turn in the following forms to their County Agents:

a. Individual Registration Forms
b. Individual Mileage Logs
c. Walk Across Arkansas Wrap-Ups
d. Team Captain’s Log

NOTE: Only those teams who turn in all their forms will be eligible for prize drawing at the final recognition and awards activity.

Why should you join?

Obesity is now considered an epidemic. Arkansas is ranked as one of the least-healthy states in the country with over 60 percent of Arkansans having an unhealthy weight. Increasing physical activity is one very important way to lose weight. Moving more can also:

  • Make you feel better and reduce stress
  • Reduce blood pressure and cholesterol
  • Improve your blood sugar control
  • Reduce your risk for cancer
  • Improve your energy levels
  • Strengthen bones and muscles
  • Improve stiffness associated with arthritis
  • Control your weight once you’ve lost it
  • Sleep better
  • Control your dietary cravings
  • Reduce depression
  • Control anxiety
  • Improve circulation
  • Lengthen your life
  • Aid with mental function

And the best part yet, if you exercise with family and friends, it will also give you a chance to expand your social circle and improve relationships.

It’s a win-win situation…how can you resist?

Prizes

Since everyone is starting off at different levels, we want everyone to feel encouraged to reach their personal best. For this reason, we will be awarding 3 levels of prizes this year. After the miles are logged for Week 1, we will create 3 levels of walkers and 1 most improved:

The Olympians

These are walkers who are well-seasoned and have an edge over the competition (i.e., this group will have logged in at the top tier at the start)

Royal Jaguars

These are walkers who have already started walking for exercise and want to reach their personal best (i.e., this group will have logged in at the middle tier at the start)

Walking Warriors

These are beginning walkers who’ve decided to take back their health. They may not get in as many miles as the other tiers in the beginning, but they are certainly going to try to catch up! (i.e., this group will have logged in at the lower tier at the start)

High Steppers

Most improved team between Week 1 and Week 8.

Four prizes will be awarded, one each to the following teams:

The Olympian Award (most miles walked total in the Olympian tier)

The Royal Jaguar Award (most miles walked total in the Royal Jaguar tier)

The Walking Warrior Award (most miles walked total in the Walking Warrior tier)

The High Stepper Award (team that showed most improvement)

Agents will also receive prizes for:

Agent with the most teams from his/her county

Agent with winning teams will receive a prize.

Other useful information:

Be sure to check out the rest of the articles of interest for more educational material (i.e., safety, proper walking attire, eating right, tips on walking, etc).

Good luck and Happy Trails!

Questions?

If you have questions, please contact your County Extension Agent or the Health Specialist Margaret Harris, PhD MS at 501-671-2295, mharris@uaex.edu.

Links of Interest

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University of Arkansas
Division of Agriculture
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Last Date Modified 07/11/2008
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University of Arkansas • Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
2301 South University Avenue
Little Rock, Arkansas 72204 • USA
Phone (501) 671-2000 • Fax (501) 671-2209
 

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