MONROE — The skies may be gray and the raindrops falling, but that hasn’t scared off 450 hearty Skykomish Valley residents who have signed up for a new walking program.
"Walkin’ in the Rain," sponsored by Valley General Hospital, includes maps with suggested walking routes around the Monroe area, low-cost pedometers and free ponchos and umbrellas.
"We made it so easy and fun and we gave them something to motivate them," hospital spokeswoman Martha Dankers said. "The key to success is if they keep it up."
To help keep people motivated, the hospital hopes to follow up with each participant via e-mail, phone calls or post cards.
Area businesses are displaying the campaign’s colorful umbrella logo to indicate that walkers are welcome to come in out of the weather, or at some businesses, have a cup of coffee.
On April 24, there will be a formal event to check up on participants and celebrate success stories, Dankers said.
The Monroe program grew out of a community goal of decreasing obesity and chronic problems such as heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol and stress.
The hospital also wanted to underscore a basic health message to children and adults: even small steps toward greater physical activity can add up to better fitness.
Hospital board member Alice Cabe decided that she wanted to be an example of someone who was not in shape, but hoped to improve her fitness through walking. She has a goal of losing 60 pounds.
Several people who signed up had heard of Cabe’s commitment and said: "If she can do it, I can do it," Dankers said.
Reporter Sharon Salyer:
425-339-3486 or
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