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Living Well In Yalobusha County

By Pamela Redwine
County Coordinator
MSU Extension Agent III

The 4-H North Half Cookout contest will be held here in Yalobusha County on Tuesday, June 25.  We need volunteers to help us recruit and train youth for this contest!  If you are interested in volunteering, please join us for a training on Thursday, April 11, at 5:30 p.m. at the Extension office.  We will go over contest rules, food categories, food safety and grilling safety.  Call 675-2730 to register for the training.

The first Wednesday in April is National Walking Day.  The American Heart Association sponsors this day to remind people about the health benefits of taking a walk.  Wear your sneakers (or take them with you) to work, and at some point in the day, you are encouraged to take a 30-minute walk. 

Here are some great ways to make that 30-minutes more enjoyable:

• Wear comfortable clothes.

• Take a friend to pass the time.

• Make sure to stretch those muscles.

• Drink plenty of water.

• Move your arms, too.

• Make sure you have good posture.

 HOW TO OBSERVE

Take thirty minutes out of your day to go for a walk and use #NationalWalkingDay to post on social media.

HISTORY

As part of the American Heart Association’s efforts to promote healthy living, National Walking Day was started in 2007. 

Starting a Walking Program

        Choose a safe place to walk. Find a partner or group of people to walk with you.

• Wear shoes and good socks that cushion your feet and absorb shock.

• Wear clothes that keep you dry and comfortable. Synthetic fabrics absorb sweat and remove it from your skin.

• Wear a knit cap in the winter to keep your head warm. In the summer, opt for a baseball cap or visor to shield the sun.

• Do light stretching exercises before and after you walk. Do not bounce while you stretch.

• Your walk should have a beginning (walk slowly for 5 minutes), a middle (increase your speed for the next 5 minutes), and an end or cool down (walk slowly for 5 minutes).

• Try to walk at least three times per week. Each day, increase your walk time by 2 to 3 minutes. The 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans suggest 30 minutes of exercise 5 days a week.

• To avoid stiff or sore muscles, start gradually. Over several weeks, begin walking faster, going farther, and walking for longer periods of time.

•The more you walk, the better you will feel. The more you walk, the more calories you burn!

References:

American Heart Association. Start! Walking Program. Retrieved November 13, 2008, from http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3053034

How do I start a walking program? Mississippi in Motion Information Sheet 1774, (POD 11-05) Mississippi State University Extension Service.

Be safe when walking/jogging. Mississippi in Motion Information Sheet 1776, (POD 11-05) Mississippi State University Extension Service.

Save The Date

Join Pat Rodrigue on April 2 and April 11 at 4 p.m. at the Extension Office for 4-H Art Workshops. She will be working with 4-Hers on art entries for several upcoming contests. If you plan to come please let the Extension office know so that Mrs. Pat will know how many to prepare for.  

Sewing for Service will meet on Monday, April 1 at 10 a.m until noon. at the Extension office.  We have the equipment we just need volunteers to help sew.

The Create Club will meet on Wednesday, April 10 at 10 a.m.  This month our project leader is Marilyn Haynes.  The club will be making a Mississippi Wood Door Hanger (size 23” x 14“).  All supplies will be provided for a cost of $4.

The North Central Area MHV meeting is scheduled Thursday, April 11, in Carroll County at the Shongaolo Presbyterian Church in Vaiden.  This meeting is free and open to all Yalobusha County MHV members. For more information please contact me at the Extension office at 675-2730.

The Looped with Love Crochet MHV Club will meet on Thursday, April 4 at 10 a.m.  If you have been wanting to learn a new hobby, this is a great place to start.  This club is open to the public and meets twice a month.  

The Healthy You Exercise class meets every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9 a.m. at the Multi-Purpose Building in Coffeeville.  The class is free. Just make sure to wear cool, comfortable clothes, good walking shoes and bring water to drink.

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