Walking for Health Incentives

AARP Program Makes Hiking an Attractive Option

Aug 7, 2009 Rosemary E. Bachelor

The Step Up To Better Health program sponsored by the AARP logs miles walked as a trip down famous American trails, helping participants increase distance each day.

This inspiring program facilitated by the American Association of Retired People has participants walking more steps each day, no matter how active the person has been. Each day, clip on a small counter that records every step. Next, use an online log to record progress as though it were a trip along such famous routes as the Appalachian Trail, Lewis and Clark Trail, Alaska Military Highway or Highway 50.

Walking Program Gets People Moving

This motivational 10 week walking program is designed to boost daily activity. Wearing a step counter and tracking steps online provides incentive to move along and begin enjoying the benefits of an active lifestyle. There is also access to health and fitness articles, healthy recipes, and health-related resources on the web.

Clip on the step counter in the morning and wear it all day. At day’s end, record the steps online (or jot down and log them online the next day). Track the progress on one of those four famous American trails.

It’s simple and everyone can do it. Tracking steps shows activity level and how easy it is to increase steps. Some people double their daily steps in just a few weeks. Whether walking, jogging, dancing or playing tennis, any activity that gets a person moving contributes to the total step count.

Four Difficulty Levels for Walking

The four trails have differing lengths, so no matter what a person’s current activity level is, the walker is challenged to have fun while exercising. These four routes, measured by the number of steps a participant takes, are:

Alaska Military Highway (average 4,286 steps a day)
Appalachian Trail (average 6,114 steps a day)
Highway 50 (average 8,780 steps per day)
Lewis and Clark Trail (average 10,571 steps a day)

Pick a time of day that lends itself to a daily walking routine, a time during which other obligations won’t interfere. Each time the walker logs in to the personal step-up-to-better-health home page, the page shows progress along the route. Clicking on cities provides educational material for that location. Next click the goal link to view the trail and number of daily steps required to complete the route in 10 weeks.

Stretching Horizons for Walking Success

One goal is making physical activity a daily habit, without it becoming monotonous. This program keeps the walking routine fresh with new ideas. The program not only has an educational component, but also is a good fit for those personality types that respond well to challenges.

Walking is the healthiest, easiest activity for most adults, particularly those over 60. When the 10-week program ends, just feeling so much better should provide the incentive to keep going.

How to Start the Walking Program

This program ends with a printable achievement certificate, but that’s not really the end. An online written component of the AARP step-up-to-better-health program contains other resources to keep walking a fresh, new experience.

Getting started is easy. Check In with the AARP Step Up to Health program, see the preview video and register to receive instructions on how to get the step-up home page.

The copyright of the article Walking for Health Incentives in Fitness is owned by Rosemary E. Bachelor. Permission to republish Walking for Health Incentives in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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