The Women’s Center of St. Francis and the Spirit of Women hospital network are encouraging men, women, and children of all ages to get on their feet and walk their way to better health! Walk With Spirit, a national internet-based walking club created by Spirit of Women and sponsored locally by The Women’s Center, promotes walking as a straight path to wellness. Walkers can sign up by calling The Women’s Center at (706) 257-7700 or online at http://www.walkwithspirit.org/. Members will be able to log their steps, download fact sheets, and find other walkers in their area beginning July 1.

“Walking is central to a healthy and happy life from the time we’re born through our later years,” says Melissa Johnson, director of The Women’s Center. “By joining Walk With Spirit, participants will be joining thousands of others across the country as well as in Columbus who will be taking lots of steps each day to live healthier, more active lives.”

Walking provides a number of health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease, reduced cholesterol, reduced body fat, enhanced mental well-being, and reduced risk of osteoporosis, among others. Walking has been found to be as beneficial for health as running. With the correct pace, the same cardio benefits can be achieved with less risk of injury. 

The Spirit of Women hospital network, which includes St. Francis Hospital, has teamed up with walking expert Maggie Spilner in an effort to promote walking as a straight path to wellness. Spilner was Prevention magazine’s walking editor for 20 years and has authored three books, including 2005’s Walk Your Way Through Menopause. Walk With Spirit members will not only be able to read Web site content and educational and motivational monthly e-mails written by Ms. Spilner, but they will also have access to other online educational information, tracking tools, and message boards. 

Also included in Walk With Spirit is a sweepstakes for a chance to win a trip to “Hike the Utah Canyonlands,” provided by Walking the World. After Walk With Spirit participants have logged one million miles on the Web site, they will be registered to win a trip for two to enjoy a week and a half long walk of the Utah Canyonlands.