Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who can participate?
A: Walk Mississippi and Live Healthy is for everyone! You can walk individually or form a team with your family, colleagues, students, church members, exercise club, or any other group.
Q: How much should I walk each day?
A: To walk about 180 miles across the state in six weeks, you’ll need to log about 8,000 steps per day.
Q: How will the program benefit me?
A: Walk Mississippi and Live Healthy is a fun way to fit more physical activity into your schedule and learn more about the benefits of eating healthy. Other benefits may include strengthened relationships with family and friends, weight loss, increased energy, controlled stress, lowered blood pressure, and healthier lifestyle.
Q: Is only walking allowed?
A: No! You can do any type of physical activity as long as you increase your heart rate or break a sweat. Running, hiking, biking, swimming, tennis, basketball, and other types of physical activity all count.
National physical activity guidelines recommend children and adolescents ages 6 through 17 years should do 60 minutes (1 hour) or more of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily.
Adults should move more and sit less throughout the day; any amount of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity gain some health benefits. Some physical activity is better than none.
For substantial health benefits, adults should do at least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) to 300 minutes (5 hours) a week of moderate-intensity exercise. For vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity, aim for 75 minutes (1 hour and 15 minutes) to 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) a week.
An equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity aerobic activity can work, too. Ideally, plan to spread your aerobic activity throughout the week.
Q: Is Walk Mississippi and Live Healthy free?
A: Yes, Walk Mississippi and Live Healthy is 100% free! Register today!
Q: Do team members have to be physically active at the same time?
A: No, team members do not have to be physically active together at the same time.
Q: How do I calculate my miles when involved with other activities besides walking?
A: Each week when you log your activities, an activity calculator will be available to help convert your activity into miles.
Q: Why are you asking for information about my health, physical activity, and nutrition?
A: Collecting this information is needed to evaluate the impact of Walk Mississippi. By combining responses from all participants, MSU Extension can determine if Walk Mississippi achieved its goals and identify areas for improvement.
Q: How do I keep track of my miles?
A: Each week you’ll receive an email with a link where you can log and update your distance and minutes of activity so you can easily monitor your progress.