Walking Wednesday
Public Health Week — Walking Wednesday Contest
Join your colleagues in coordinated walking activities throughout the county. Track and record the amount of time you walk during this day. This information will be used to calculate how far we can collectively walk in one day in the name of physical activity. Whether individually or together as a group, a little bit of exercise during the day will help relieve the stress of the day, burn off a few extra calories, and lift your spirits. Click on the links below walking maps and tracking tools. Also, walk as a department or program.
Register your participation in Walking Wednesday at www.surveymonkey.com/s/VYWB7M6 and your program might be selected to receive a healthy refreshment break. The Deadline to register participation is 5 pm Thursday, April 5, 2012.
Last year participants walked a combined total of 1,035 minutes which translates to 51.75 Miles (average walking speed of 3 miles per hour). That’s about the distance from Downtown Santa Ana to Carlsbad (as the crow flies). The Public Health Lab Team were the winners of the contest walking a total of 320 minutes.
The Benefits of Physical Activity
Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. It can help:
- Improve your heart health
- Reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease
- Reduce your risk for type 2 diabetes
- Reduce your risk of some cancers
- Strengthen your bones and muscles
- Improve your mental health and mood
If you're not sure about becoming active or boosting your level of physical activity because you're afraid of getting hurt, the good news is that moderate-intensity aerobic activity, like brisk walking, is generally safe for most people.
Start slowly. Cardiac events, such as a heart attack, are rare during physical activity. But the risk does go up when you suddenly become much more active than usual. For example, you can put yourself at risk if you don't usually get much physical activity and then all of a sudden do vigorous-intensity aerobic activity, like shoveling snow. That's why it's important to start slowly and gradually increase your level of activity.
If you have a chronic health condition such as arthritis, diabetes, or heart disease, talk with your doctor to find out if your condition limits, in any way, your ability to be active. Then, work with your doctor to come up with a physical activity plan that matches your abilities. If your condition stops you from meeting the minimum Guidelines, try to do as much as you can. What's important is that you avoid being inactive. Even 60 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity is good for you.
The bottom line is … the health benefits of physical activity far outweigh the risks of getting hurt.
|
