Our Healthy Carolinians theme for October was “Walk-tober” to celebrate our “Walk Across Sampson County” events. The results have not been fully tabulated yet, but I can report on a few items. This year, we had 40 participants at Royal Lane track on Walk Across Sampson County Day, which was held Saturday, Oct. 16. Two people participated because they learned about the event on line. They were vacationing in Myrtle Beach and stopped in our fair city to walk with us on their return trip home to Maryland. Several dogs joined their owners for trips around the track, including The Sampson Independent’s own Katie Holland and one whole kids soccer team did 2 lap along with some parents, coaches and siblings! Together, we all walked 73.68 miles. That’s across Sampson County from Autryville to Turkey twice, or a bit further across Sampson County than from Newton Grove to Ivanhoe.

The facts are, if you can walk, it is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to get your exercise. And the Sampson County Partners for Healthy Carolinians have a number of places and times available for your convenience and even comfort. Don't want to be outside? The Clinton Rec Department and the Center for Health and Wellness both offer indoor walking opportunities. Work second shift? The Royal Lane Track has lighting from dusk until dawn to accommodate shift workers, early birds and late birds!

So, even though Walk-tober is coming to a close, the benefits can still be yours. With the holidays approaching and all that tempting food, make a commitment to yourself and your health to get moving, get active and get that excess weight off. November and December will be the 2010 Holiday Challenge. Use it to your advantage, instead of getting further behind.

To find out more about the Holiday Challenge, contact Casey Stevens at 910-592-7161 or on our website at www.scpfhc.org.