If the hot, humid summer weather kept you from being as active as you would like, the Walk North Dakota program can help you get moving again.
The North Dakota State University Extension Service program challenges you to walk 200 miles during an eight-week period. The next session runs Sept. 11 to Nov. 5.
To reach the 200-mile goal, you'll need to walk about 10,000 steps a day at least five days a week. That's the equivalent of walking five miles a day.
"But don't worry if you can't manage that many steps," says Linda Hauge, Walk North Dakota coordinator. "Walk as many steps as you feel comfortable walking, and keep trying to walk a little more each week."
This is how the program works: Put on a pedometer in the morning and record the number of steps you've taken by the end of the day. Then report those steps every two weeks. If you don't have a pedometer, record one mile or 2,000 steps for every 20 minutes you walk.
You can report your progress online at http://www.walknd.com or on a mail-in postcard. You'll receive an email message reminding you when to report if you do it online.
Join Walk North Dakota as an individual or part of a group. Groups that haven't participated in the program should send an email to info@walknd.com. You don't need to live in North Dakota to participate.
The registration fee is $10 for anyone age 19 or older and $5 for youth 18 and younger. North Dakota 4-H'ers can participate free of charge.
Go to the Walk North Dakota website at http://www.walknd.com to register. For more information, contact Hauge at (701) 231-7964 or info@walknd.com.
Since May 2004, when the program started, 4,150 participants have walked 1.6 billion steps, or about 802,734 miles.
