The UGA Cooperative Extension has a fitness program designed to help Georgians get in shape and work towards a healthier lifestyle.
Walk Georgia is an eight-week program designed to increase physical activity and get Georgia residents moving. Participants can form teams with friends, families and co-workers and challenge each other to get fit, or sign up as individuals. Charting a virtual course through the Georgia mountains or down to the coast, participants travel across Georgia by logging their activity online.
Mary Jane Wheeler of Tifton participated in both the spring and fall sessions and has lost 50 pounds in the process.
“My job is mostly sitting at a computer and I dealt with stress by eating comfort foods,” Wheeler said. “I did not participate in any form of exercise and was quite a bit overweight.”
Now, Wheeler walks every day and said she misses exercise on the days she is not able to walk. She walks about three miles a day six days a week and eats smaller, healthier meals.
In addition to walking, activities such as aerobics, biking, jogging and weightlifting can be logged as well. The time spent exercising is translated into miles online as members move around the state virtually.
The Walk Georgia Spring 2009 session will begin in March. Registration will be open until March 9. Participants can begin logging activity on March 1. To register and learn more, visit www.walkgeorgia.org.