Walking can be done by anyone, anywhere, and at any time – all you need to do is step into your favorite pair of walking shoes. Wellmark’s WalkingWorks: Ready, Set, Step program is designed for all fitness levels and is a great way for you to get started.

Share the Fun - Participate in a Walking Event

Businesses and communities are always looking for ways to positively contribute to the overall health of the people who work and live in them. A company or community walk is a great way to do this, but it takes support from individuals like you to make it happen. Here are tips on how you can help:

• Create a committee of co-workers, family, friends, or neighbors to plan the walk.
• Map out the walking route.
• Distribute promotional materials throughout your office and community.
• Form walking teams and serve as the team captain.
• Invite business and community leaders to kick off the walk.
• Ask local retailers for donations for walk event giveaways and door prizes.
• Help with set-up and tear down.
• Share your story via e-mail, company and community newsletters, and social media sites on how walking has made a difference in your life.

If you don't have the resources or time to host a walking event, you can also participate in a community or fundraising walk. For a list of events in your community, go to the Wellness Calendar.

Moving Forward

Walking events can be a great step toward better health, but you can do more to “move more”. Here are a few tips on how to incorporate more activity into your daily routine:

• Measure distances throughout your office building so you and your co-workers can track of how many steps you're taking at work.
• Organize a shoe clinic at your office, local business, or favorite park to ensure walkers have good walking shoes and proper walking form.
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
• Park farther away from the grocery store, mall, or your office.
• Schedule mandatory stretch breaks and quick walks throughout the day, especially during long meetings that last more than an hour.
• Ask your workplace to offer incentives such as letting employees wear walking shoes to work, or giving them personal time off when they accumulate a certain amount of steps (e.g., 100,000 steps = two hours of personal time off).
• Take the long route to your walking destinations.
• Swap 30 minutes of television time after dinner with a quick walk around the block.

Contact Us

Later this year, Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield will introduce new WalkingWorks: Ready, Set, Step programs, including walking challenges, how to start a walking club, and tips on walking safety. If you have suggestions about WalkingWorks: Ready, Set, Step, please e-mail walkingworks@wellmark.com.