This past weekend, I ran/walked in Baltimore's Charles Street 12 mile race. It seemed like a good idea —at least during the time when my children talked me into joining them. Fast forward several weeks at 5 a.m. on the morning of the race, and it no longer seemed like that great of an idea! Regardless, I managed to get the day started and prepare for the day, despite my pre-race jitters. I was really impressed by how many people got up early on a Saturday morning to participate in a fun and healthy activity. Also, I was pleasantly surprised to see many people, who like me, were running/walking and were there not to impress others with times, but just participate.
As I ran, I passed or was passed by many inspirational people. The guy running in front of me had on a T-shirt that said "I'm running faster than everyone sitting on the couch." What a great message! It doesn't matter how fast you go or how far you go — it only matters that you're off the sofa doing it.
In 2012, The Partnership for a Healthier Carroll County conducted a Community Health Needs Assessment. The seven areas that need improvement in order of priority were identified: obesity, diabetes, heart disease, mental health, cancer, lack of exercise and substance abuse.
The statistics show that 68.9 percent of adults in Carroll County are overweight or obese and only 33.6 percent report engaging in moderate physical activity at recommended levels.
Leadership teams and action teams were developed to establish objectives and action plans for improving indicator data collected from the CHNA. The team's goal to improve on many of the seven areas focuses on eating healthier and encouraging more activity.
Out of the work of The Partnership Chronic Disease Prevention and Intervention Leadership Team grew Walk Carroll, a walking and exercise program designed to "inspire those who live, work or play in Carroll County." The program targets the "lack of exercise" improvement area, while also addressing obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
The Partnership's website cites walking or being active as a major factor in reducing the risk of many serious health conditions such as obesity, heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer, high blood pressure, anxiety and depression. It can improve mood and promote healthy sleep patterns.
The program targets people of all ages and activity levels. The point being that anyone — regardless of how old or young, active or inactive — can get off the couch and begin participating in a fun and healthier lifestyle.
Victoria Barry, community health improvement areas specialist for The Partnership, states that thus far Walk Carroll has 325 participants. Forty to fifty of those walkers log their walks with "Walk Maryland," an option if participating. The program's kick-off event was on April 5 and had walkers from various age groups. 71 percent were between 18 and 64 years old, 14 percent were below 18 and 15 percent were 65 and above.
One of the participants, Iris Wingert, a 63-year-old walker, learned about the program through an advertisement in the paper. She has only missed one event. She is excited about the program and enjoys the opportunity to walk in various sites through the county. Although she always walked, she finds that Walk Carroll is motivating and offers fun, new venues to explore where she can walk by herself after learning about them. She adds that she also enjoys the prizes and giveaways offered at the walks, and she has won some "pretty cool stuff." While attending, she also picks up the literature provided that discusses the significance of well-balanced meals and using sunscreen, to name a few. When asked if she is happy with the events, she replied, "I'm so glad they have this in Carroll County showcasing the importance of exercise and walking." She added, "You don't get bored because of the variety of venues. It's simple, everybody should do it!"
Free walking activities around the county, which are often in conjunction with local farmers markets, are posted on The Partnership's website or emailed to those who have registered to receive notifications. There are five posted walking events upcoming in September and October.
Creating a healthy lifestyle for yourself is not about how fit you are, it's not about how far you can walk, or if you're a novice or serious walker — it's about getting out there and getting active. After all, I was passed by a man running and juggling six balls in the air the entire time, no kidding.
So, let's go, Carroll County, let's get walking! Walk Carroll!
For information on upcoming events, go to the Partnership website at http://www.healthycarroll.org or call 410-871-7648.
Upcoming events
•Saturday, Sept. 6 from 9 a.m. to noon in conjunction with the Taneytown Farmers Market at Taneytown Memorial Park off Md. 140. Join us for walks, health information, prizes and the opportunity to buy fresh, local, healthy food!
•Saturday, Sept. 13. Walks at 9 and 10 a.m. We will be meeting and parking at the Finksburg library branch and then together walking Sandymount Park.
•Sunday, Sept. 21 at 10 am at Sykesville Main Street in conjunction with the Sykesville Farmers Market. Parking at South Branch Park across the Patapsco River Bridge. Come walk with Mayor Shaw through Main Street and around town and explore the fresh, local food at the market.
•Sunday, Oct. 5 at 2:30 p.m. following the Total Health Expo at Carroll Hospital Center's new Tevis Center for Wellness. The walk will be across from the hospital at Landon C. Burns Park.
•Saturday, Oct. 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Westminster City Park, 11 Longwell Ave. Join us to celebrate 6 months and "re-kick-off" the Walk Carroll program. There will be plenty of health information and resources from community partners, great prizes and raffles, free ZUMBA session, "healthy" trick-or-treating, and of course, many group walks. Feel free to wear your comfortable and walking-friendly Halloween costumes.
Jill Rosner is a registered nurse, certified geriatric care manager and owner of Rosner Healthcare Navigation. She provides patient advocacy and care management services to clients with health and aging issues. Contact her at JillRosnerRN@aol.com.
