Family focuses on health with Walk Kansas

Friday, March 26, 2010

By Jason E. Silvers

Herald - Tribune

FORT SCOTT, Kan. -- Sandra Eisenbrandt and her family are walking their way to healthier lifestyles.

Eisenbrandt, 50, has participated for the last few years in the Walk Kansas program, an eight-week fitness challenge sponsored by the Kansas State Research and Extension Office that began earlier this month and continues through May 1.

"I like to get out and walk and be healthy ... to me, it's fun," she said. "It's about living longer, it prolongs your life. Eating right and exercising ... it changes you."

She has three children; Micah, 16, Gabrielle, 28, and Carey, 12, who participate with her in the program in order to lose weight and develop healthier eating habits, and their efforts have paid off as they have each lost weight and now make healthier food choices. Her other son, Nick, 24, used to take part in the program but has moved out of town and is now unable to, Eisenbrandt said.

This year, about 300 Bourbon County residents are using the Walk Kansas program to help them start or continue making healthy lifestyle changes by getting more physical activity and eating more fruits and vegetables. Participants are encouraged to take small steps toward living healthier lives.

In the eight-week program, teams of six people keep track of their physical activity and their consumption of fruits and vegetables. Each team's goal is to collectively log physical activity equal to 423 miles -- the distance across Kansas from east to west. One person serves as team captain and is responsible for collecting and reporting totals from teams each week.

The program emphasizes walking because it is an activity that most people can do, and often at a convenient time and location. Other forms of physical activity can be counted as well. About 150 minutes of physical activity each week is recommended for each participant.

Eisenbrandt said she encourages individuals who want to participate in the program to get a friend involved with them to serve as not only a teammate, but as a coach and support system throughout the duration of the program.

"My son used to get me up every morning and say 'Come on mom, let's go,' because there were times I didn't want to get up out of bed," she said.

This year, Eisenbrandt is on the Walk Kansas task force, which helps plan and promote the program and also recruits people and businesses to build teams for participation. Last year, her team logged the most miles and most fruits and vegetables consumed during the program, and her team lost a combined 45 pounds in an optional weight loss competition.

"She's very serious about physical activity, walking with her children and as team captain, pushing her teammates to be active and eat healthful ... they have seen health improvements," K-State Research and Extension Family and Consumer Science Agent Ann Ludlum said. "(Sandra) is very committed to living a healthier lifestyle."

Eisenbrandt, who once weighed more than 410 pounds, is now down to a more healthy weight and is over the cravings she once had for chocolate.

"I just had to have it but I don't eat it now ... maybe once a month," she said.

Eisenbrandt said many people are busy and have hectic schedules, but devoting one hour each day to exercise combined with eating healthier on a regular basis can go a long way.

"Once you get used to it, then it's not a big deal," she said. "It's a mindset. It all depends on how important it is to you."

Various prizes that will be given away at the conclusion of the Walk Kansas program serve as motivation for some participants, Eisenbrandt said, but she participates because she enjoys exercising and learning about different foods.

"I just enjoy it," she said. "Exercising should be in everyone's daily plan."

For more information on Walk Kansas, contact Ludlum at (620) 223-3720, or visit www.walkkansas.org.

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