New walking group forming at YMCA

While teaching a few nutrition classes, Christine Breakfield, community health educator for the Callaway County Health Department, realized that there was a community interest in getting more physical activity. When she asked if people would be interested in forming a walking group, the response was overwhelmingly positive.

As a result, the Callaway County Health Department has partnered with the local YMCA to form a free walking group, even for those who are not currently a YMCA member.

The group will meet outside the main YMCA building at 6 p.m. every Wednesday from May 1 until June 19, with the exception of May 8 and June 5. If the weather is nice, walkers will walk the outdoor paved YMCA trail. During inclement weather, they will walk the indoor track.

Walkers will be encouraged to walk approximately one mile, but are more than welcome to walk more or less if desired. All ages are welcome.

Breakfield says the primary benefit to joining a walking group is accountability as members will feel obligated to continue walking with the group once they start.

"There is some collaboration ... by having physical activity goals together," said Breakfield. "I'm kind of hoping that once the members start this, they will want to keep doing it even without me there."

Registration is not required and the group is free to join.

For more information about the walking group, contact Breakfield at 573-642-6881 ext. 228 or [email protected].

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.