Today, I was blessed to spend the early hours of the morning in movement with 40 members of my church family. Our 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. That was the plan. Completed distances varied up to 7 ½ miles as many were inspired to keep going and knocked out double (or triple) their initial plan. (YES INDEED!)
The morning started with “This is the Day” led by Sister Joycelyn Spriggs and prayer offered by Deacon Andre Anderson. I led the group thru warm-up exercises and gave brief instructions, then 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.
More photos at our health ministry blog
The weather was exquisite, everyone did their thing and had a wonderfully active time. After the walk/run, we did a stretching routine and closed with prayer. It was a blessed time of fellowship and stewardship.
Such a blessing! At the insistence of many participating (smile) we will repeat this church group walk/run every other month.
The walk/run was is an outreach of our church’s 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.
Do you move regularly? If so, congratulations! Please share how do you get your activity in. If not, get moving! Reach out to me, I’d love to help.
Walk, run, bike, swim, lift, stretch, play, dance… whatever you are able and love do – do it. It’s our privilege and responsibility as stewards of our bodies.
To God be the glory!