Sisters set to ‘Stroll Through Summer’

The Stroll Through Summer, a 5,000- or 10,000-steps-per-day walking program sponsored by Sisters Athletic Club, is about to hit the streets, stairwells, forest roads and trails of Sisters.

Beginning on June 29, participants can discover just how healthy their pedestrian habits are. Or aren’t. Using a pedometer, an inexpensive device which attaches to the waistband, participants can track the number of steps they take through the course of a day.

The goal for each day is 10,000 steps — approximately five miles. If walking five miles each day sounds too daunting, walkers can put it into a different frame of reference by committing to walking a certain number of steps daily.

The Stroll Through Summer will allow participants to choose a 5,000- or 10,000-step program.

Most people take between 2,000 and 3,000 steps in the course of a normal day in an office, according to Web sites for walking enthusiasts. Tate Metcalf, of Sisters Athletic Club, says that those numbers can quickly increase by parking at the far end of the parking lot or taking the stairs.

A bit of creativity can also get the numbers up. Take the dog for a walk instead of letting him run around the yard on his own; take mail into the house one piece at a time from the mailbox or walk across the road to say hello to the neighbors you haven’t met yet.

Ten thousand-step programs have been implemented in various communities and corporations.

The free program is open to anyone, Metcalf said. Register at Sisters Athletic Club. The program will culminate on September 25 with the Sisters Stride into Autumn walk (visit http://www.wondersofwalking.com for information).