Walking The Rez is a good step towards better health

ST. IGNATIUS — Folks participating in the 8th annual Walking The Rez event took their first step in a seven-week walking journey today, Valentines Day. The physical fitness walking sojourn goes through Monday, April 1.

Walking The Rez is the Tribal Health and Human Services fitness centers healthy lifestyle and fitness event with the goal of getting as many Flathead Indian Reservation residents, regardless of race and age, involved in healthy activities year round, in this case it starts with the first step of Walking The Rez.

“Our goal is to get everyone out walking or doing a fitness activity,” said Margene Asay, THHS fitness centers’ manager. “We hope once they start doing daily fitness activities, that they will continue through the year.”

The participants symbolically walk the reservation roadways at their chosen pace and place. Asay said to meet the goal of 1,000 minutes of walking each participant should walk at least 30 minutes three or four times a week for seven weeks. For those keeping track of mileage it takes approximately 2,100 steps to equal one mile.

Due to the potential for an accident walking along the highways the event organizers chose to make it a symbolic route and let participants walk wherever it is convenient for them, in high school gyms or along roadways, at fitness centers, at walking tracks, or anywhere their doggies feel safe.

Participants can pick up the Walking The Rez forms at any of the THHS fitness centers. They then can report their progress to the fitness centers each Monday.

For more information, contact Margene Asay at 745-3525, ext. 5072, or the tribal fitness centers in: Arlee – 726-2302; St. Ignatius – 745-4242; Ronan – 676-0138; and Elmo – 849-5616.