Get WalkIN'

Now that you’ve started walking, it’s time to set an overall goal for the frequency and duration of walking that you would like to achieve over the next six (6) months. You are more likely to reach your overall goal if you break it down into several small, short-term goals. Short-term goals are specific, daily actions, or behaviors that lead you to your goal. Don’t forget to write your goal down and revisit it frequently.

More details about goal setting can be found here.

Step counters or activity monitors can help you keep track of your walking and measure your progress toward goals. There are a range of activity monitors, from straightforward, inexpensive pedometers to high-end devices like Fitbits with numerous features. Track your progress by recording how long and how far you walked each time and how you felt during those walks.

You can use a pen and paper or an app on your smartphone, such as MapMyWalk or Walkmeter. Over time, you will see how the benefits of your walks add up, and the next day’s walk won’t seem as intimidating when you see how much you’ve already done! Try to increase the duration of your walk each week until you reach your goal.

Click here for an example of a printable tracking tool.

• Park farther away from buildings or stores.
• Walk during your lunch break.
• Instead of having coffee with friends, take your coffee to-go and walk with them.
• While at work, walk to a colleague’s desk instead of calling or sending them an email.
• Stand up and walk around whenever you have a call on your cell phone.
• Walk the sidelines at local sporting events instead of sitting in the bleachers.

Shop late in the day. Because your feet tend to expand by the end of the day, it’s best to try on new shoes when your feet are at their largest.

Choose socks first. The thickness of your socks affects how your shoes fit, so find some you like and take them to the shoe store. Avoid 100% cotton socks, which stay damp if they get wet, setting you up for a blister. Synthetic or cotton-synthetic blends will wick away moisture.

Give it a bend. Grab the toe and heel of a shoe and pull them toward each other. The shoe should bend easily at the ball of the foot. If it doesn’t, look for another style that does. The flexibility offers a greater range of motion and an easier push-off.

Look for a low heel. Stay away from shoes with big bulky heels, which can hinder the natural rolling foot motion of walking and may make you more prone to tripping.

Check for wiggle room. Allow at least one finger’s width between your longest toe and the front of your shoe, as your feet may swell more in warm weather and on longer walks.

Take a test walk. To get a feel for the shoe, take a few laps around the store. Try on a few different brands, with one on each foot for a side-by-side comparison. If you notice any rubbing, discomfort, or sore spots, try a different pair.

Read the full article HERE

An ounce of prevention

When you have discomfort or pain in your feet or lower body, you won’t be motivated to get off the couch and get active. Luckily, there are many ways to up your comfort and prevent some common sources of pain when exercising.

• Take a stand. Alternate periods of sitting, standing and moving throughout the day. If you’re on your feet a lot, put them up when you sit down to take a break. If you’re more sedentary, try a standing desk or walking breaks. Experts suggest standing or walking for at least two hours per eight-hour workday, or about 15 minutes out of every hour.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight can put extra stress on your joints, including your feet and knees.
• No fungus among us. Wear flip flops or water shoes in public showers, locker rooms, restrooms, pools and other wet areas.
• Cross train. Vary your activities to avoid repetitive impact. Walk, bike, swim, run, dance or skate. With so many fun ways to move your body, you don’t have to limit yourself to just one.
• Before and after. Warm up before working out, and cool down and stretch afterward. Make sure your routine includes stretching and strengthening exercises for feet, ankles, calves and knees.
• Insert here. Try orthotics or shoe inserts for additional support, pain relief and comfort. They can help with some common issues like foot discomfort, lower back pain, plantar fasciitis and knee pain. Over-the-counter shoe inserts can include arch supports, insoles, heel liners or cups and cushioning pads.

Activity: Set a weekly walking goal and write down three (3) ways in which you will accomplish this goal. Place your goals somewhere you will see them everyday: the bathroom mirror, the refrigerator, on the inside of your front door.

Next Topic: Benefits of Walking

Questions: Email me, Karen Richey, your local Purdue Extension Educator, at: krichey@purdue.edu

• Always wear bright colored clothing. Do not assume that you are visible to others or vehicles. Be cautious when walking.
• Always walk facing oncoming traffic.
• Use the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, look for a smooth, stable surface alongside the road. If there are guardrails, see if there is a smooth, flat surface behind the barrier where you can walk. If you need to walk on a paved shoulder, stay as far away from traffic as possible.
• Be careful on bridges and narrow shoulders of the road.
• Be sure drivers can see you. If you walk during low-light hours, such as dawn or dusk, be sure you have reflective material on your clothing or walking shoes, and carry a flashlight.

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/36e36c8fd9da455999ea37bc41216d2f

Approx. 1.2 miles. One of three walking tours of Culver, Indiana, focusing on historic sites and architecture.

https://www.plymouthin.com/topic/index.php?topicid=50&structureid=24

https://www.plymouthin.com/egov/apps/map/viewer.egov?view=map;id=3

Located in Plymouth, IN

News 2025:

Greenway Trail Extension Project - River Park Square:

Construction on this project has been completed! We are currently working on the plants and flowers that will be placed along the trail.

Greenway Trail Extension Project - Price's Pond:

Construction on this project has been completed! We are working on a few finishing touches that will be done in the springtime(2026)!

Argos Parks and Recreation information

https://www.townofargos.com/community/parks-recreation

William L. Foker Park is located along Pond Street in Argos, IN. It features a large pond that is popular with those who want to take their family fishing. There is a paved trail for walking and biking that encircles the pond along with a playground, pavilions, cornhole, kayaking launch, and restrooms. Restrooms are not open year round, but the park is close to stores and gas stations with public restrooms. Parking on site is attached right to the paved trail, making this a much more accessible location. The pond is not very large so the walking path is beginner friendly.

Address: (no address listed) Just south of 107 Pond St, Argos, IN 46501 on Pond Street.

Marshall County's America 250 is hosting a Cemetery Walk at Oak Hill Cemetery on Saturday, April 18th at 1 pm! This event is free and open to the public. America 250 celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. There will be live storytellers relating the biographies of the listed women. These women are buried in Oak Hill and their fathers were Revolutionary War patriots. Plan to be there about 15 minutes early. Generally visitors walk from one grave site to the next to hear the stories of those buried there.

Address: 1300 Chester St, Plymouth, IN 46563

Save the Date!

To find more information and register visit:

https://runsignup.com/Race/IN/Culver/CulverCommunitySchoolsBoosterClubColorRun

Choose between a fun 1 mile walk/run or a 5k. The 1 mile route will run around the Culver Schools Corporation and the 5k route will run through downtown Culver. The race will start at the front of Culver Community High School, Door 32. Both routes will finish on the Culver Middle/High School football field. This will be a fun run with several color stations manned by our athletes ready to toss color powder on you as you pass by! Registration includes a white race t-shirt and neon sunglasses to wear to show off your colors! Join us for the after party on the football field!

Our new Storywalk® is up! Grumpy Monkey has Spring Fever just like the rest of us so dodge the rain, take a walk and enjoy this cute story. For more information contact the Culver Library (574) 842-2941.

Save the Date!

Download the digital guides to water and greenspaces, including trails you can walk in Kosc. Co! Check these out as you get started. https://visitkosciuskocounty.org/digital-guides/

RideWalk.com has these great walks with special interests in Warsaw, IN.

https://ridewalk.com/maps/recommended-walks/ Click the title in yellow to view the actual route. The total distance and elevation is listed under each description.

Date: May 16, 2026

Address: 409 IN-14, Silver Lake, IN 46982

Join the Lilly Center for a wildflower identification hike held on the beautiful trails at Wildwood Acres Land Trust. The Hike will be led by Gavin King, the regional manager for ACRES Land Trust, where he'll teach participants how to identify local wildflowers and plants.

The hike will take place on easy trails with minimal hills; however, comfortable, close-toed shoes are recommended as there will be a lot of walking. The Lilly Center will provide light snacks and identification books to borrow during the event. Spring is in full bloom, so let's celebrate its arrival by learning how to identify its lovely blossoms!

This event is underwritten by Depuy Synthes, Zimmer Biomet Foundation, and City of Warsaw Stormwater Utility.

Disclaimer: Event Photography
We often take photos at events that may be used in future Lilly Center communications. Please tell a staff member if you do not want your photo used in Lilly Center media. Event by Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams https://www.facebook.com/events/2312231295925866

Kosciusko County is home to 12 nature sites, each with trails for you to explore with your friends, family, pets, or on your own. We created The Kosciusko County Trailblazer Challenge Passport to challenge locals and visitors to visit all 12 nature sites. It’s free to sign up and if you check in at at least 5 nature sites you win a Kosciusko County Trailblazer Challenge water bottle or fidget spinner. All prizes are while supplies last. Live Well in The Moment in Kosciusko County by participating in our Trail Blazer Challenge Passport! Sign up now: https://visitkosciuskocounty.org/engage Visit our website: https://visitkosciuskocounty.org/ Follow us on Facebook: / visitkosciuskocounty Follow us on Instagram: / visitkosciuskocounty

The StoryWalk is located along the Beyer Farm Trail at Pike Lake in Warsaw. This month's featured book is "Green on Green" by Dianne White, a lyrical picture book that celebrates nature, family, and the changing seasons with a colorful adventure.

The StoryWalk features 19 stations with pages from children's books along a 0.66-mile boardwalk and asphalt path. Location: The trail is located behind the Firemen’s Building (1013 Arthur St. Warsaw, IN) and runs along the Beyer Farm Trail towards Pike Lake Campground.

The StoryWalk is a partnership between Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department & Warsaw Community Public Library with Spanish translation provided by Language Matters Programs. The goal of StoryWalk is to encourage families to enjoy a less stationary, more interactive storytime.

Karen Richey

Email: krichey@purdue.edu
Website: extension.purdue.edu/Marshall
Location: 112 W Jefferson St, Plymouth, IN, USA
Phone: 574-935-8545
Facebook: facebook.com/marshallHHS

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