Walking program ends, prizes available for most steps

  • Published
  • By Jessica Gibson
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Since mid-April, members of the Vance community have been participating in "Vance On the Move," a pedometer-based program designed to encourage daily physical activity with actions as simple as walking.

At the beginning of the program, participants checked out pedometers from the Health and Wellness Center at the Fitness Center, and began logging their number of steps daily. On June 30, participants began turning in their pedometers at the HAWC and tallying their total number of steps.

The deadline for the tally is July 8.

Different levels in the program have different step goals, starting with level one, which requires an average of 4,000 steps a day and 320,000 total steps, and increasing to the 10-K Per Day group, which will have an average total of 800,000 steps. Prizes will be awarded based on the number of average daily and total steps taken over the course of the program.

Participants receive their prizes as they turn in their steps. Members of the 10-K Per Day group will receive a certificate for their achievement. So far, said Kellie Jensen, the Fitness Program coordinator at the HAWC, "Quite a few have been in the 10,000 step range."

Vance On the Move is an off-shoot of "America On the Move," a non-profit organization that seeks to promote a quality lifestyle through physical activity and healthy eating habits.

Jensen explained that Vance On the Move is designed to get people moving to increase their physical activity. Inactivity, she said, is a risk factor contributing heavily to obesity, diabetes and heart issues. However, she added, simple changes in daily activity, such as walking more and eating healthier foods, can easily reduce the risk.

Research has found that poor nutrition and physical inactivity are two leading causes of death in America, Jensen said. "But they are easy to control with day-to-day activity," she explained. Specifically, she said, a healthy adult should be taking an average of 10,000 steps per day to stay active.

One of the participants of Vance On the Move, Paula Pitcher, a nurse at the Vance Clinic, has been logging her steps since the program began in April. She had joined the Biggest Loser competition last year, and said she was motivated to stay active after the competition ended. Citing her experience as a nurse, she said, "When it comes to exercise, you snooze, you lose! Especially as you get older and your joints get worse."

Jensen said that approximately 120 people had signed up to receive pedometers at the beginning of the program. "We're still tallying up steps," she said. "I think people have enjoyed seeing their progress and have enjoyed the challenge."

Jensen added that there will definitely be changes for next year's program. "It was a little long, 80 days long, so we'll probably shorten it," she said. "We might have some squadron challenges to add some competitive aspects," she added.

"We've gotten really good feedback from it," said Jensen, as participants continue turning in their steps. She said it was a good activity for the Vance community. Pitcher agreed, saying that she was motivated to exercise by watching other people stay active.

"Walking is easy," the nurse said. "Just get a pair of shoes, and go."

For more information about Vance On the Move and other recreational programs through the HAWC, contact Kellie Jensen, 213-6639.