Take the Walk Across TN Challenge

Looking for a unique and fun way to become physically active? Walk Across Tennessee can provide the support and fun needed to get people moving! Choose a team of 4-6, sign up at cheatham.tennessee.edu (click on Walk Across TN Logo) and begin counting those steps on April 10, 2021.

Walk Across Tennessee is a free 8-week walking program for teams of four to six people or individuals. The teams will have a friendly competition to see who can log the most miles walking, jogging, biking, dancing or other types of physical activity.

In 2020 we had 78 participants (14 teams) who walked a total of 15,283 miles during the 8 -week program. Sixty-one participants reported increasing their physical activity levels during the event.

"I felt empowered to challenge myself, and walked more during the past 8 weeks than I have in a long time,” stated a 2020 participant.

Another participant shared, "My Dr. was very proud of me walking more! It was the only exercise he approved for me while I was getting my blood pressure down. The program helped to motivate me to do it."

“Anyone can join this walking program,” states Aneta Eichler, UT Extension Agent. “You can form teams of neighbors, friends, and family members or at specific places such as schools, worksites, churches, fitness and recreational centers, assisted living, hospitals and health departments.”

Team members do not walk together. Some may prefer to walk outside, while others walk on a treadmill. Your miles can accumulate throughout your day while working, grocery shopping, gardening, or walking for fitness. You just need a way to track your steps and record them at the end of the day.

Your team miles will be recorded weekly and a progress report will be shared to all walkers. We will be awarding cash prizes for the teams/individuals that walk the farthest in each category. Everyone who participates will take home a healthy habit . . . walking for fitness.

A very special Thank You to the following sponsors who are helping to make this a fun event: UT/TSU Extension, TN Department of Health, Colby’s Army, Cheatham Community Enhancement Coalition, Family and Community Education Clubs of Cheatham County, and Cheatham County Kids.

We encourage everyone to lace up their tennis shoes and challenge their friends to walk over the next 8 weeks. Those who accept the challenge will experience the following benefits:

• Get fit

• Lose weight

• Develop a walking habit

• Have fun

• Decrease blood pressure, blood cholesterol or blood glucose levels

For more information or to register your team, visit cheatham.tennessee.edu, email adodd2@utk.edu, or call our office at 615-792-4420.

Through its mission of research, teaching and extension, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. ag.tennessee.edu/fcs