DALTON, Ga. -- Russell Jones logged 434 miles last fall and walked across all 159 counties in Georgia.
A design technician with North Georgia Electric Membership Corp., Mr. Jones didn't take off work for the journey. His trip was a virtual one with Walk Georgia, a program sponsored by the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension.
Walk Georgia is an eight-week online program that takes place in the spring and fall, said Janie Reeves, family and consumer science agent for the Whitfield County Extension Office. Residents sign on at www.walkgeorgia.org to participate and log information about physical activity.
All types of activities -- from hunting to gardening -- count.
"If you were doing something rather than walking, you would put your time in and then the computer converts it to virtual miles," Ms. Reeves said. "It enables participants to do a virtual walk across Georgia. For instance, you could say, 'I walked to Savannah and back.'"
As participants chart their course, they learn facts about Georgia's counties and tips for staying healthy, she said.
"The whole purpose is to promote fitness for all of our Georgia citizens," said Ms. Reeves.
About 100 residents from Whitfield County participated last year, she said, and her office hopes for even more this spring.
WALK GEORGIA PROGRAM GOALS* Develop regular physical activity habits* Get healthier and more physically fit* Have funSource: www.walkgeorgia.orgHOW TO WALK GEORGIA* Visit www.walkgeorgia.org* Register for the spring Walk Georgia program by March 5* Track activity from March 1-April 25* The program is free and anyone can participate. Register as an individual or as a four-person team.Source: www.walkgeorgia.orgSHARE YOUR STORIESHave you lost a lot of weight? Tell us how you did it. Share your success stories, frustrations, diet and exercise tips, before-and-after photos, recipes and questions and story ideas. E-mail us at news@timesfreepress.com and please put "shape" in the subject line.
About 3,800 people throughout the state participated in Walk Georgia last fall, logging 353,000 miles, said Ms. Reeves.
Jean Pritt, training coordinator for North Georgia Electric Membership Corp., said about 40 of the company's employees participate in Walk Georgia each year.
"In order to encourage our employees to have an active lifestyle and promote health, we encourage them to participate in the Walk Georgia program," Ms. Pritt said.
Matt Hayes, manager of operations at North Georgia EMC, is on the same Walk Georgia team as Mr. Jones. Last fall, they finished the Walk Georgia program as one of the top teams in the state.
Mr. Hayes has lost 20 pounds since starting the program, which he described as "a catalyst" for a healthier lifestyle. He now weighs 165 pounds.
"When you think about it, you're keeping those numbers daily, so (any lull in activity) just kind of stares you in the face," he said.