Staff take up the Hiking for Health Challenge at Westmoreland State Park

If you read last month’s blog article about the staff at Westmoreland State Park “Walking the Talk” as they gave back to the community by collecting food for the Northern Neck Food Bank, you will see they are at it again! 

Getting on the trails

This time literally as Virginia State Parks has long promoted a healthy lifestyle by getting out and getting active on the trails and by using the amenities the parks have to offer. So the staff at Westmoreland State Park decided to “take up the gauntlet” by starting a “Hiking for Health” program.  The idea is for each person to walk 10,000 steps a day and eat a little healthier too. They have instituted a Walk it off Wednesdays and Fit Fridays. 

Staff hike

Walk it Off Wednesdays

The staff were given pedometers and told to keep a record of their daily steps. They also have been hiking the trails as a group challenging each other to go a little farther each time.

Fit Fridays

Fit Fridays at the park will include a staff covered dish lunch, healthy of course, and on occasion cooking classes from the Westmoreland County Ag Extension Office.

Having a little fun at a fitness station

Take it from this Health Nut

As someone that has spent years and years studying nutrition and have on many occasions been called a “Health Nut”, sometimes eating healthy is a real challenge when you stay on the go all the time. And while to this day, I can still count the times I have actually eaten at a fast food restaurant (I admit I do stop at a particular icon for their unsweetened iced tea, shhh!) 

Eating out can be a real education when trying to watch, fat, calories, and sodium and empty carbs! And in the same sense taking lunch can be a challenge too as many of the convenience foods while low in fat, are high in sugar and sodium. And yes salads do get boring sometimes! Although, I have seen people eat more calories and fat with a salad than you would think possible. But it is not all about the rabbit food! There are lots more choices available now with health foods stores and organic sections in the local chain markets.

Eat Local

Here in the Northern Neck we are very fortunate to have local farmers markets and lots of produce stands. The great thing about the produce stands, the staff can recommend interesting ways to fix produce. I know I have tried many types of vegetables I never would have even thought of because a suggested recipe was right beside the item.  

 Having the support of a group and the encouragement from the people that you work with is a great way to start any program.  I applaud the staff at Westmoreland State Park for their efforts in trying to commit to a healthy life style in 2015.

Getting a little encouragement on the rowing machine

Do you want to start the New Year off right?

Why not try out one the many and varied trails at Westmoreland State Park or a Virginia State Park near you. Something some of the parks have added in the last few years are the fitness trails. The fitness trails have stations along the way to stop and do things like row, pull-ups, pushups or stretching. 

Fossil hunting on the beach

Don't like exercise?

Another fun way to get your exercise at Westmoreland State Park is by fossil hunting! Bending, stretching, doing squats and of course the hike to fossil beach burns off calories and you won’t even think of it as a workout!

Other "park staff" getting ready to hit the trails!

Westmoreland State Park is located along the Potomac River, about 6 miles near the town of Montross. Click here for a Google map. To plan your hike, click here for a trail guide or for more information on the park please visit the website or call the park office at (804)493-8821. 

Happy New Year from your family and friends at Westmoreland State Park!