Get WalkIN'

Sticking to your walking routine is no easy task. Many of life’s barriers can get in the way. There are ways to plan for these barriers so you don’t join the 60% of people who stop a new physical activity routine within three (3) to six (6) months. Plan ahead and take preventive measures to increase your adherence to your exercise plan. Check out this https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/basics/fitness-basics/hlv-20049447 to help keep you motivated.

Schedule Your Walk

• Make room in your day for your walk ahead of time.
• Schedule your walk as an appointment in your calendar and plan out your week.
• Avoid scheduling your walk too close to other daily events so you have a buffer.
• Lay out your walking clothes the night before.
• Keep light snacks and beverages available so you can stay energized throughout the day.

Starting a fitness program may be one of the best things for health. Physical activity can lower the risk of diseases, such as heart disease and cancer. Exercise can improve balance and the ability to move smoothly, called coordination. It can help with weight loss and boost self-esteem.

The rewards of exercise are for everyone, no matter the age, sex or physical ability.

For most healthy adults, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends these exercise guidelines:

• Aerobic activity. Get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity a week. Or get at least 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity a week. You also can get an equal combination of moderate and vigorous activity. Aim to spread out this exercise over a few days or more in a week.

  For even greater health benefit the guidelines suggest getting 300 minutes a week or more of moderate aerobic activity. Exercising this much may help with weight loss or keeping off lost weight. But even small amounts of physical activity can be helpful. Being active for short periods of time during the day can add up and have health benefits.

• Strength training. Do strength training exercises for all major muscle groups at least two times a week. One set of each exercise is enough for health and fitness benefits. Use a weight or resistance level heavy enough to tire your muscles after about 12 to 15 repetitions.

Regular exercise can help you control your weight. It can lower your risk of heart disease and some cancers. And it can make your bones and muscles stronger.

If you haven't exercised for a while and you have health concerns, you might want to talk to your health care professional before starting a new fitness routine.

When making your exercise plan, keep your fitness goals in mind. Think about what you like and don't like. Think about what keeps you from exercising. Then find ways to keep your fitness program on track.

Starting a fitness program doesn't have to overwhelm you. Start slowly and build up over time. By planning and pacing yourself, you can make fitness a healthy habit that lasts a lifetime.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/basics/fitness-basics/hlv-20049447

Activity: Have you found a walking group that works for you? Have you found some new places to walk? Share your “what works” stories with me!

Email me at: krichey@purdue.edu

• 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. Wear brightly colored clothing, and 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://www.visitmarshallcounty.in/recreation

Visit the new website with details on recreation in Marshall County are much more!

Saturday, June 6, 2026
Kiwanis - Plymouth, Indiana is hosting their annual Kids Triathalon in Centennial Park! Here is the link with more information on the event and how to register your kiddos:
https://app.givegrove.com/kids2026

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!

Save the Date!

https://livewellkosciusko.org/physical-1

Mission: Live Well Kosciusko is a local nonprofit on a mission to transform lives and grow a thriving and healthy community.

This organization promotes physical well-being, financial well-being, social well-being, career & purpose well-being, and community well-being.

"As part of our dedication to fostering a vibrant and healthy community, Live Well Kosciusko partnered with local organizations to bring the Gallup Well-Being Index survey to the county in 2020. This survey offered valuable insights into the state of well-being across for Kosciusko County residents."

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/

April 24, 2026

Congratulations to KCV (Kosciusko County Velo) Cycling Club on the groundbreaking yesterday for phase II of the new bike park!

The park, which is at the Hauth Trailhead along Pierceton Road

(Hauth Trailhead, 900 E. Pierceton Rd, Winona Lake) will eventually have a pump track, jump lines, skill zone and a kids’ bike playground. This park will be a wonderful asset to the community and be a major draw for bike tourism around the midwest.

This project is another example of community partnership and how it benefits us!

For more information visit the KCV website

https://kcvcycling.org/

There are plenty of activities for kids and families each day of the Fat & Skinny Tire Fest, presented by @K21 Health Foundation!

The Fat & Skinny Tire Festival also includes road bike events, kids events, casual tours and rides, entertainment, and much more. Involvement from the community is second to none in Warsaw and Winona Lake, and there are plenty of non-cycling activities for families and friends to see and do.

Check out the schedule each day and for more information visit fatandskinnytirefest.com.

Join us May 15-17th in Warsaw and Winona Lake, Indiana.

Kosciusko County Freedom Fest will celebrate America's 250th birthday in Warsaw on June 5,6,7 2026 at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds at 1400 East Smith Street, Warsaw, right on Winona Lake.

Join the Stars, Stripes & Steps Challenge or join the Freedom 5K! Information below or visit their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580110891106

https://link.thestepupapp.com/FFZdNB?fbclid=IwY2xjawRJ745leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe5HlvNeBM50e3Z_QgCevzd280WdLYWFS9tvfFLdaUTMa7p1R5_YDw9TwtyhY_aem_qn49lEUqiUKeDvWTMsVc0g

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

Dates: September 25-27, 2026

Combining the fun of some of our favorite season ending events, this weekend is for the whole community with trail runs, a 6 & 12 hour MTB race, kid’s MTB clinics, Kid’s Night Ride and more If you don’t want to race, ride, or run, that’s ok! Come for great merchandise, kids bike events, live music, and food trucks. All events raise awareness and money for our community to be active in the outdoors at the Hauth Trailhead Expansion and the future Winona Lake Bike Park. You won’t want to miss this great weekend!

Races will be scored and have prizes, but our goal is to have fun and not take things too seriously. This is a fun community fundraising event, thus scoring will not be done professionally, and may require participant involvement and a level of honor code/trust.

There are many more featured events here! Check out the schedule https://kcvcycling.org/initiatives/winona-lake-trails/events/winona-lake-trail-fest/

To submit your steps weekly please use the Google Form link below!

https://forms.gle/AQ6PyziG6jWtiWy97

or

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScMsw7ee_kQjkatpnaMkBduGnoDpgSvrWE6aEs2Yi5y0tMnmA/viewform

Input a total of steps for the entire week. You will use the same link each week but please only submit steps for the previous 1 week of steps.

**If the link is not working try copying and pasting it into the browser directly. It looks like Kosc. firewall may be blocking the link from this page***

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

Purdue University is an Equal Access / Equal Opportunity Employer.