Walking is offered this spring.

The spring session of the Walking for Wellness fitness program begins Monday, Jan. 31, on the Kent Campus. The 12-week program is open to all faculty and staff and runs through Friday, April 22.

Participants can walk at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The cost is $20 for Student Recreation and Wellness Center members and $25 for nonmembers and includes a free pedometer.

The walking program started in 2007 and is a collaboration between the Student Recreation and Wellness Center and OneWellU, the university's wellness program. Participants log the number of steps walked, and there is also an optional weigh-in at the beginning and end of the 12 weeks. At the end of the spring session, prizes will be awarded for the most pounds lost and the most steps walked.

Kent State employees who have participated in the Walking for Wellness program say it's a good way to get some exercise in during the workday. Elly Styles, a student accounts receivable clerk in the Office of the Bursar, joined the walking program more than a year ago and has been walking faithfully during her lunch hour. "It has helped me both physically and mentally, gets me moving and clears my head," she says. "It's a great benefit."

Style's coworker, Kathy Mims, adds that the walking program "gets me away from my desk and allows me a chance to get my exercise in, rain or shine." Mims is the supervisor of student accounts receivable in the Bursar's Office.

Another participant, Barb from Kent, is retired from the university and noted that walking on a regular basis has improved her health. "I have more energy, eat less and sleep all night; I will definitely continue in this program and highly recommend it to others."

There are some new additions to the walking program for spring. Participants will be able to enter their total weekly steps online, through a portal on the Student Recreation and Wellness Center website. There will also be a biweekly newsletter e-mailed to all members. The first person to correctly answer the newsletter's question of the week will win to win a prize.

Employees interested in joining the walking program can register at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center's pro shop. Registrations will be accepted through Sunday, Feb. 13.

For questions concerning registration and additional information, contact Ben Cope at 330-672-4798 or bcope1@kent.edu.

By Carla Wyckoff