Like many of you out there, this year I made a pledge to myself to get healthier, make wiser food choices and exercise on a regular basis. I’m 24 years old and although I’ve never battled with weight, an immediate family member’s health scare last year inspired me to “get moving.” 

Arvest supports living a healthy, active lifestyle and that’s why we’re walking across America!  Four months ago, our Southwest Oklahoma associates kicked off the Walk Across America Challenge to encourage our associates to lead healthy, physically-fit lives.  Walk Across America is a worksite wellness program that demonstrates the benefits of daily physical activity. Each quarter, associates across the United States from will walk a separate region of the U.S., to complete a total of 8,760 miles each year per walking team!  Teams of 10 have been formed and our associates are well on their way to physical fitness.

The Walk Across America Challenge will last until the end of the year and will include fun competitions like a Dancing with the Stars Challenge and Health Food Cook-off. *Although this program is open only to Southwest Oklahoma Arvest associates, you could easily use these same ideas within your own homes and communities to make getting in shape fun! Even better, check with your employer to start a similar program at your office and inspire others to make the same health-conscious decision.

In addition to weight loss, walking lowers blood pressure, reduces stress, lowers cholesterol and requires no fancy equipment or gym memberships! For more information on beginning your journey to health and wellness, visit here and here .

*Please check with your doctor before beginning any diet or fitness regime.

P.S. - If you have any great healthy living tips or yummy good-for-you recipes, don’t hesitate to share here!