#ActiveLYH- STEP-tember

Who did a rain dance to make all that heat go away?!

Hooray for September and the end of the summer. Unfortunately, this also means school and stress for many of us. How can we inspire you to use the great outdoors to be healthy - inside and out?

Live Healthy Lynchburg is cheering for each of your steps. Over the past 10 years, we have had a tradition of a summer challenge - 100 miles accumulated over the 90 some days between July 1st and the Virginia 10 Miler in late September. While anyone with a pair of shoes could participate, it attracted more seasoned athletes than beginners. So this year, we’re changing it up. Instead of focusing on the total, we are trying to help build healthy habits.

Some people like to count STEPS on their phones, watches or even pedometers. Some prefer to just check the clock and count by TIME. Experts say it’s better to do what works for you and build consistency. Just like fad diets are doomed, fad exercise habits just don’t stick. Over the next 87 days, how can you make activity as routine as brushing your teeth? But maybe as rewarding as when your dog greets you at the end of the day?

Work Healthy partners will be encouraging #ActiveLYH in our community with rewards for the workplace with best participation!

Lynchburg has lots of inspiration! We will post weekly tips to try and inspire you to get active and explore the trails, parks, downtown, and favorite sights in our fair hilly city!

STEP-TEMBER!

Let’s take what you did last month and step it up a little! What’s your move?  Choose a goal to measure time or steps. Use the weekly challenges as an inspiration. Invite friends to join you.  

STEP GOAL: Adults: 8K steps/day 3x/week  or TIME GOAL: Adults 60 min/day 5x/week

Kids: 3k steps/day 3x a week                        Kids 30 min/day 5x a week

ACTIVITY CHALLENGE:

WK 10: Randolph College Labyrinth

Randolph College Labyrinth - accessible from N. Princeton Circle

You may think that meditation has to happen indoors while you sit still. Walking meditation is another option. Vietnamese meditation master and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh says that as we walk, we should imagine that we “print peace, serenity and happiness on the ground.” You can practice walking meditation anywhere. However, may we suggest a special place? Randolph College has a peaceful labyrinth that allows for a measured walking meditation. Follow the path in from the edge and it will take you all the way to the center and then back out again. Take it slow and listen to your breathing.

Use this to help you achieve your STEP or TIME goal.

Get Active at your own pace

Just like on a ski slope:

Green Upstarts are beginners!

Blue Movers are intermediates

Black Health Nuts are experts!

UPSTART: Walk the labyrinth! Pick one positive thought to focus on as you walk in and then out.

MOVER: Walk down N. Princeton first, then walk the labyrinth.

HEALTH NUT: Jog the N. Princeton loop, then cool down with the Labyrinth.