On Saturday, October 12th,  40 members of New Hope and our beloved Sister Adolph from Second Baptist Church, came together in Strides for Our Health.  The group walk/run was held close to the church at BREC Independence Park with planned options including 1.4 mile or 5k (3.1) mile routes.  Members completed varied distances up to 7 ½ miles as many were inspired to keep going and do double (or triple) their initial plan.

The event started with “This is the Day” led by Sister Joycelyn Spriggs and prayer offered by Deacon Andre Anderson.   After warm-up exercises and brief instructions, Deacon Randy Gallow led the group out on the route around beautiful Independence Park.

Everyone was encouraged to do their race at their pace.  It was beautiful to see entire families participating including 4 legged babies.

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The walk/run was sponsored by the Victory Over Cancer Ministry, encouraging members to embrace regular activity for health and wellness.    American Cancer Society (ACS) guidelines for cancer prevention recommend:

  • Adults: Get at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity each week (or a combination of these), preferably spread throughout the week.
  • Children and teens: Get at least 1 hour of moderate or vigorous intensity activity each day, with vigorous activity on at least 3 days each week.
  • Everyone: Limit sedentary behavior such as sitting, lying down, watching TV, and other forms of screen-based entertainment.

After the walk/run, members received swag bags that contained fruit and snacks, and a New Hope Baptist Church Victory over Cancer branded water bottle that lists 25 ways to get more exercise.  Bags also contained education materials on cancer screening, a Living Smart Healthy Lifestyles booklet from the ACS, and a copy of Diabetes & You magazine provided by Walgreens. Volunteer information for the ACS Road to Recovery program was also included. (More about this wonderful program here.) To help support walking and/or running as a regular activity, the bag also included a map listing all the BREC walking and running trails in our area, and promotion materials from local walking/running related companies (including a coupon from Fleet Feet Sports and Pew2Pavement.)

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The weather was exquisite, everyone did their thing and had a wonderfully active time.   The event closed with a stretching routine and prayer led by Deaconess Nettye Johnson.

Per the request from participants for a repeat, the next Strides for Our Health Walk/Run be held Saturday, December 14, 2013.  Watch the church bulletin or website for time and location details.

Do you move regularly?  If so, congratulations!  Please share how do you get your activity in. If not, come join us if you are able.  It’s temple care.

To God be the glory!