Clinton County has a 38% physical inactivity rate according to the 2023 County Health Rankings. Adults indicated the need for new programs that encouraged walking and other healthy lifestyle habits. To address this need, the Clinton County Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent became certified as a program leader and offered the Walk With Ease Program from the Arthritis Foundation. While walking is the central activity, Walk With Ease is a multi-component program that also includes health education, stretching and strengthening exercises, and motivational strategies. Seven individuals completed the six-week series (a total of 18 sessions) and increased their walking routines from five minutes to an average of 40 minutes three times per week. 

Regular physical activity can help keep your thinking, learning, and judgment skills sharp as you age. It can also reduce your risk of depression and anxiety and help you sleep better (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023). Participant comments revealed the following: “We can all see the health benefits from it. We feel better and have more endurance. We’ve also learned about other programs we can get involved with to help us maintain a healthy lifestyle.” Another participant shared that “This program was very good for socialization. It kept us committed with a group of people to encourage each other to keep on going and do what you can. I think being in a group is an encourager and we have all done more than what we set out thinking we could do.”. Follow-up conversations with participants 60 days after Walk With Ease revealed that all are continuing their walking programs and feel better about how the increased physical activity has improved their overall health. 

Walk With Ease was an effective strategy to assist adults in developing a personal walking and physical activity routine that can be implemented long-term for sustainable health changes.