Shuswap Family Resource Centre is Increasing Fitness with “Walk for FIT!”

The Healthiest Babies Possible program, hosted by Shuswap Family Resource Centre in Salmon Arm, is hosting the second year of its free 22-week Walk for FIT! program. The program was created by Pregnancy Outreach Program Coordinator/Outreach Worker, Trish Johnson.

Each week the group meets at a park downtown and receives a map of that day’s 45-60 minute walking route (including distance, so participants are aware of their accomplishment), and nutrition information. The walks vary in length and difficulty. At the end of each walk, participants stretch and enjoy a healthy snack together.

Each participant receives a pedometer (donated by SportChek) to tally their weekly steps. The steps are placed on a map of Canada that is updated weekly and displayed at the Shuswap Family Resource Centre. The goal of the program is to enhance participants’ nutrition knowledge, offer an opportunity for participants to motivate each other and provide a healthy example for their children. The group aspires to do enough total steps to equate to a walk across Canada!

Last year, Canadian Tire donated two prize packages (a yoga mat, hand weights, water bottle, and resistance bands) that were awarded to the participant who took the most steps and to the participant who demonstrated commitment by attending walks on a regular basis.

Walk for FIT! is open to postnatal participants in the Healthiest Babies Possible program.