Sitting is the new smoking…. We have gone from a lifestyle of constant movement to one of inactivity. Not too long ago we lived in a society where we grew our own food, hand scrubbed our own clothes, pumped and hauled our own water, and walked anywhere we needed to go. Flash forward 100 years and we spend most of our day sitting in a car, on the sofa, or at a desk and push buttons to complete the tasks that our ancestors had to exert a significant amount of energy to complete.
I have said it once and I will say it again, our bodies are made to move! Yes, many of us carve out an hour or two for some for of formal exercise, but is that really enough? New research is showing that those who are more active throughout the day on top of regularly scheduled exercise have markedly improved health as compared to those who are sedentary, as well as those who participate in formal exercise and are sedentary the rest of the day. In other words, make time for formal exercise and also aim to include light to moderate activity throughout the day.
I for one do not always move enough during the day, but I am making it a priority to incorporate more movement into my life. Just like any other healthy lifestyle change, it takes a plan, effort, and time to make anything a habit. To help encourage you to make movement a priority MiniNutrition is hosting our first Walk the Rock – Community Walking Challenge! The Challenge began Monday, May 16th and encourages teams of four to accumulate as many steps as possible over the next six-weeks. It’s as simple as that!
Why a team walking challenge?
The Walk the Rock Challenge is a friendly competition, but first and foremost it is a tool to motivate, inspire, and support healthy living. Having grown up playing sports, I truly appreciate the motivation and strength you can find when working as a team. With a group of like-minded individuals by your side you always have someone to turn to for help. Whether you’re competing in this challenge or not, always aim to lead by example and encourage those around you who could use a little encouragement.
I was inspired to create this walking challenge by my friend Michel Kuratek-Kremer who led a similar challenge at the Nantucket Cottage Hospital last spring. If you haven’t met Michel yet than you may have seen him walking or jogging around Nantucket Island. Michel will be helping to coordinate this challenge and is a wonderful example of practicing what he preaches. Nantucket is small island and is simple to travel around by foot or by bike if you set your intentions to do so.
If you are participating in the walking challenge or not, try and make a little extra time to move throughout the day. Believe it or not small changes can make a large and lasting impact on your health. Give it a try!
Our 20 Teams who are Walking the Rock are….
Nantucket Community School
3 Girls and a Guy
Cham Girls
The Quad Squad
Walk it Like it’s Hot
NES Teachers
Sole Sisters
The Mill Hill Parkers
Wicked Step Sisters
Trailer Trash
Walk This Way
Blister Sisters
Holy Walkamolies
Stubby Steps
Smiles for Miles
Team BV
Hospital Health Steppers
IsleHelp
CPS Teachers
Between a Walk and a Hard Pace
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