By CARLA MORRICAL-FREDERKING

Special to The Hays Daily News

With wintery weather still in the forecast, many in Kansas will be pleased to know that Walk Kansas 2010 is scheduled March 7 to May 1.

While returning participants typically describe the program announcement as a sure sign spring is coming, Sharolyn Jackson, state program coordinator, credits much of the enthusiasm for the Kansas State University Research and Extension fitness challenge to the team approach.

"Joining friends, co-workers or family members (to form a team of six) to log minutes of exercise equivalent to covering the 423-mile distance across Kansas in eight weeks can make improving health easy -- and fun," she said.

Walk Kansas was introduced in 2002 as a walking program but has been expanded to include 10-consecutive-minute segments of a variety of physical activities to match participants' interests, skills and abilities. Examples of qualifying activities include aerobics, ballroom dancing, bicycling, swimming, tennis, canoeing, some team sports, strengthening exercises and mowing the lawn with a push mower.

The fitness challenge is structured so that even beginners can be successful, Jackson said. Those who are new to physical activity and wanting to improve health are encouraged to schedule 10-minute exercise breaks to accomplish the 30-minutes of physical activity recommended at least five days a week.

Taking 10-minute breaks also can be a good way to add physical activity to hectic schedules, she said.

The majority of Walk Kansas teams are successful in covering the distance. Many also report weight loss, muscle toning, increased energy, stress management and a more optimistic outlook resulting from physical activity. Many also report a greater awareness about choosing foods that contribute to health, said Jackson, who is the family and consumer sciences specialist for the northeast Kansas Extension area.

In addition to logging physical activity, participants will be asked to note daily consumption of health-promoting fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that only 19 percent of Kansans currently meet the daily recommendations for fruit and vegetable consumption, Jackson said. More than half of Kansans fail to reach weekly recommendations for physical activity.

Many chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and heart disease, can be prevented or managed successfully with diet and physical activity, said Jackson, who noted that, in Kansas, more than 70 percent of healthcare costs are attributed to chronic illnesses.

Walk Kansas is offered by county and district K-State Research and Extension offices. The program typically includes a kick-off event, and a weekly newsletter with food, nutrition tips, recipes and motivational tips.

Walk Kansas attracts more than 20,000 Kansans each year. More information about participating in Walk Kansas is available at county and district K-State Research and Extension offices and online at www.walkkansas.org.

In Ellis County registration packets and sample T-shirts will be available starting Feb. 8.

Carla Morrical-Frederking is the Ellis County Research and Extension agent for family and consumer science.