Walking the Rez 2007 participants pound the pavement

The "Walking the Rez" program marks another successful year, which included a friendly competition between the north and the south. The program began back in 2004 under the direction of Margene Asay, THHS Health Education and Prevention Manager, in conjunction with the Cardiovascular/Diabetes program.

The program's open to anyone wishing to participate, is designed to encourage and increase participation in a daily exercise routine, promoting healthy living.

"Being sedentary is killing America," says Larry Pitts, who works at the Ronan Fitness Center, and quite frankly, he is a walking miracle.

Each participant is given a pedometer to track the number of steps taken. That number is later recorded in a daily log and reported to area THHS fitness centers on a weekly basis.

Another goal is to have each participant achieve 200 miles over the course of the three-month program. That breaks down to roughly five miles per day or 10,000 steps per day.

Margene stated anyone accruing more than 10,000 steps in a day could see successes in weight reduction as well as improved health. Additionally she noted that walking for a total of 30 minutes per day contributes to a reduction in the occurrence of diabetes.

Though Asay manages and oversees this project, she credits all of the Tribal Health staff for the successes realized by Walking the Rez. Because of its success here on the Flathead Reservation, other tribes are seeking to model this program, she says.

This year approximately 500 pedometers were distributed, with 250 people actually completing their walk. Ronan area participants logged a total of 71,061,900 total steps, translating into 33,839 miles. According to Pitts, that means his group crossed the United States four times. The St. Ignatius participants logged a total of 61,964,700 steps, which translated into 29,507 miles.

The oldest participant was 87 years of age and the youngest was 18 months. The youngest participant had her pedometer pinned to her diaper to record her steps and prevent her from taking it off.

Walking the Rez begins each year on February 14 and continues through Mother's Day. Those interested in participating may contact Margene Asay at (406) 745-3525, ext. 5072, for additional information.