Join this University of Tennessee Walking Program!

It's Free!

Looking for a unique and fun way to motivate your employees, church members, county residents, or students to become physically active? Maybe you are looking for a way to help motivate yourself to become more physically active. Whatever your needs are, Walk Across Tennessee can provide the support and fun needed to get people moving!

What is Walk Across Tennessee?

Walk Across Tennessee is an 8-week walking program for teams of eight people. The teams will have a friendly competition to see who can log the most miles walking, jogging, biking, dancing or other types of physical activity.

Team members do not have to walk together. Some may prefer to walk outside, while others walk on a treadmill. You may choose from a variety of activities by using physical activity equivalents . Members of the winning team will receive a prize!

The team who walks the farthest "across Tennessee" will win, but everyone who participates will take home a healthy habit . . . walking for fitness.

The program materials contain all the information and forms needed to implement Walk Across Tennessee!

Why Join This Walking Program?

• Get fit
• Lose weight
• Meet new people
• Developing a walking habit
• Have fun
• Decrease blood pressure, blood cholesterol or blood glucose levels

Who Can Join?

Any one can join this walking program. You can form teams of neighbors, friends, family members or at specific places such as schools, work sites, churches, fitness and recreational centers, assisted living, hospitals and health departments.

Why Walk?

Over sixty percent of adult Tennesseans are overweight or obese. The lack of physical activity is a major reason why children, teens and adults are overweight. Developing the walking habit is a simple and inexpensive way to move more.

Moving More Protects Your Health

Participants have reported these benefits:

• Keeps you at a healthy weight
• Improves your mood and your ability to cope with stress
• Helps you sleep better
• Strengthens your immune system to fight infections
• Increases your flexibility to reduce falls
• Makes you feel more energetic
• Helps you lose weight if needed

Moving More Fights Chronic Diseases

• Arthritis --- strengthens muscles around the joints
• Cancer --- helps to protect you against some cancers
• Diabetes --- improves blood sugar control
• Heart Disease --- lowers blood pressure and blood cholesterol
• Osteoporosis --- helps to strengthen and build bones
• Overweight and obesity --- drop pounds and keep them off

Publications

Read these publications for tips on how to be physically active.

• Tennessee Shapes Up - More More! Make Physical Activity a Routine Part of Your Day! (SP633)
• Tennessee Shapes Up - Move More (SP426-A)
• Fitness Get Moving! (SP526-L)
• Physical Fitness: Add Activity to Your Life! (SP526-M)
• Tennessee Shapes Up - Weight Management Program For Good Health/SP706.pdf
• Physical Activity Equivalents

Click here for Wrap Up Survey

Click here for Chart of Miles Between Cities

FINAL RESULTS

Want to Join or Offer a Walk Across Tennessee Program?

Contact:

Joan L. Wherley
UT Extension Agent
4215 Long Lane, Ste. 200
Franklin TN 37064
Telephone (615)790-5721
Fax (615) 790-5606
Email jwherle2@utk.edu

Community Committee Members:

Jerry Painter - Fitness Coordinator, Certified Personal Trainer, Registered Yoga Instructor. He currently teaches Ashtanga Yoga.

Jayne Wochomurka

Kathryn Honig - Health Science, Nursing and Counseling, Active in Brentwood Y "Fit Women". Kathryn is a firm believer in the power of a consistent fitness program to affect permanent and positive change in one's entire life.