If you have a hitch in your get-along, the free Walk with Ease program might be able to help.
Offered through the University of Missouri Extension in partnership with Catholic Charities for Central and Northern Missouri, Missouri Arthritis and Osteoporosis Program and Live Well by Faith, this virtual program aims to reduce joint pain and improve participants' balance, strength and walking pace.
According to the MU Extension's Lynda Zimmerman, a program like this can help people who don't exercise often or have trouble walking ease back into it while minimizing the risks of injuries and pain.
"A lot of times when people start a walking program, and this could be if you have arthritis or if you don't, they get gung-ho and start by doing the maximum," she said. "Then they pay for it. They get soreness. It discourages you from wanting to do it again. You can prevent those kind of things by knowing where to start."
Though targeted at people who have arthritis, the program is open to all who are interested, regardless of age - particularly in Cooper, Morgan, Moniteau, Cole, Callaway, Osage and Boone counties.
Register no later than this Sunday by calling 573-634-2824 or visiting bit.ly/2Zkwo5R. Registration is capped at 60 people; a waiting list is available. The program kicks off with an orientation session 9-10 a.m. Oct. 3.
"In that session, we're going to make sure everybody can connect and use Zoom, and just feels comfortable with it," Zimmerman said. "You don't have to have a computer, you can use any sort of device - a phone, an iPad, a tablet, a laptop."
During the program, which runs Oct. 5-Nov. 12, participants will be asked to walk on their own or with a buddy three times each week, tracking each session in a provided weekly activity log. Participants can choose their own distance and pace, and program instructors will provide advice.
"For one person, it might be 10 minutes a day three times a week if they're not doing anything at all," Zimmerman said. "For another person, a goal might be 30 minutes three times a week. It's very individualized and we'll try to walk them through that, no pun intended."
Then, once a week, they'll meet virtually via Zoom with fellow participants and trained instructors to discuss successes and challenges, ask questions and receive education about physical activity and walking.
Participants may choose from among three weekly meeting times:
Noon-1 p.m. Mondays
Noon-1 p.m. Wednesdays
5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursdays
Participants will also receive a walking guidebook and access to online resources.
"The goal is they'll continue walking after those six weeks are over," Zimmerman said.
Zimmerman said the Extension previously offered the course in Boone County and received enthusiastic feedback.
"The participants did love it, the flexibility of it," she said. "They felt it really did help them develop a good solid walking program."
If interest remains high, the organizations will continue offering the course on an ongoing basis.