Get WalkIN'

What are the benefits of walking?

• Weight loss or maintaining healthy weight
• Immunity buildup
• Osteoporosis prevention
• Improvement in heart health
• Sleep improvement
• Anxiety reduction
• Arthritis management
• Improved overall wellbeing
• Anger management
• Depression control
• Opportunities to socialize
• Stress and tension relief
• Blood sugar regulation and diabetes control

The faster, farther and more frequently you walk, the greater the benefits. For example, you may start out as an average walker, and then work your way up to walking faster and walking a mile in a shorter amount of time than an average walker, similar to power walkers. This can be a great way to get aerobic activity, improve your heart health and increase your endurance while burning calories.

You can also alternate periods of brisk walking with leisurely walking. This type of interval training has many benefits, such as improving cardiovascular fitness and burning more calories than regular walking. And interval training can be done in less time than regular walking

Check this site out for more details about the benefits of walking.

Although walking is not a high-intensity workout, it is great for heart health, strengthening our muscles and bones, and lowering blood pressure. Here is more information about the health benefits of walking.

View this 12-week schedule to help you get walking!

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 or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity a week, or a combination of moderate and vigorous activity. The guidelines suggest that you spread out this exercise during the course of a week. Greater amounts of exercise will provide even greater health benefits. But even small amounts of physical activity are helpful. Being active for short periods of time throughout the day can add up to provide health benefits.
• Strength training. Do strength training exercises for all major muscle groups at least two times a week. Aim to do a single set of each exercise, using a weight or resistance level heavy enough to tire your muscles after about 12 to 15 repetitions.

As a general goal, aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day. If you can't set aside that much time, try several short sessions of activity throughout the day. Any amount of activity is better than none at all. Even small amounts of physical activity are helpful, and accumulated activity throughout the day adds up to provide health benefit.

Remember it's OK to start slowly — especially if you haven't been exercising regularly. You might start with five minutes a day the first week, and then increase your time by five minutes each week until you reach at least 30 minutes.

For even more health benefits, aim for at least 60 minutes of physical activity most days of the week.

1. Grab the leash and walk your dog. Your body — and your pooch — will thank you!
   
   
2. Take your kid (or spouse) for a walk. It’s an excellent way to get some face time without screens. Keep it fun by exploring new neighborhoods or turning your walk into a scavenger hunt. Research shows that joining a group or taking a class with others increases exercise time and health benefits.
   
   
3. Try the 10-Minute Workout. Stuck at home? Boost your heart rate and brain power with this quick home workout.
   
   
4. Walk and talk. Even if you’re glued to your phone for work or personal calls, you don’t have to be glued to your chair. Make it a habit to walk and talk. Some workplaces have walking paths to make it even easier to move while at work. You can also take walks with coworkers to break up your day.
   
   
5. Tune into fitness. Don’t want to miss an episode? Walk or jog in place, do yoga or lift weights, or walk on the treadmill at the gym while you watch your must-see TV shows.
   
   
6. Ditch the car. Spare yourself the parking stress and log some more active time by parking farther away (or even leaving the car at home) and walking or biking to your destination.
   
   
7. Take the stairs. The elevator may go up, but it doesn’t make your heart rate climb. Take the stairs when you can, even if just for a floor or two. And don’t ride the escalator, climb it. Those can be active steps, too!

When you start looking for them, you’ll see lots of chances to be more active every day and get a few more steps in during your regular, routine activities. Remember, every step counts!

Read the full article here: https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/getting-active/no-time-for-exercise-here-are-7-easy-ways-to-move-more

Next Topic: Places to Walk

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.

1 Mile Happy Walk

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

Bourbon community Parks Information

https://www.bourbon-in.gov/community/parks/bourbon-community-park

Price Memorial Park is a serene outdoor space in Plymouth, Indiana, designed for relaxation and enjoyment of nature. The park features walking trails, picnic areas, and open green spaces, making it an ideal spot for families, outdoor enthusiasts, and those looking to unwind. Visitors can enjoy the beauty of the local flora and fauna, engage in recreational activities, or simply savor the peaceful ambiance of the park. It's a great place for community events and gatherings, providing a welcoming atmosphere for all.

Price's Pond has now recently been extended as part of the Greenway Trails and has new paved trails that go around the pond and through the park. There are bathrooms and convenient parking available as well as a small playground for young children to enjoy. There is a small beach for swimming and you will find it a nice place for fishing.

Address: 205 Plymouth Goshen Trail, Plymouth, IN 46563, United States (Behind the CVS in Plymouth, IN)

Meditation Walk

2 hours @ US$0.00, In-person

We invite you to join us for a Meditation Walk through Centennial Park (near Bill Nixon Field, Plymouth, IN 46563 )on Saturday 4/11/26 morning starting at 9:00 AM. A Meditation Walk offers a wonderful opportunity to be present, connect with nature, and enjoy a tranquil atmosphere. We will gather under the canopy near the tennis courts.

Open to ages 12 and older

No pets

Distance: 3 to 5 miles

Bring a bottle of water

Remember, this is a Meditation Walk--let's embrace mindfulness together.

After the walk, there will be an optional tea and coffee gathering at The Lodge. We look forward to seeing you!

Free to register! https://theunionwellness.practicebetter.io/#/5a6e214567c6b905d05edd08/bookings?s=69d3de445f3f9ee09b916491

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!

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

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

https://forms.gle/AQ6PyziG6jWtiWy97

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.