UMs can get more active while
‘Walking with Jesus’


By Rick Waters
Director of Health and Education
Most experts agree that some physical activity each day is essential to a well-rounded wellness program. Most also agree that walking is an ideal form of exercise for most people. It requires little equipment, can be done almost anywhere and can be continued throughout most of our lives.
“The Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity and Health recommends 30 minutes per day of accumulated physical activity on most, preferably all, days of the week,” William Sakula says on WeightWatchers.com. “Unfortunately, about half of all Americans do not meet these guidelines. About a third of the population is completely inactive.”
The Rev. Eilene Bisgrove, a deacon in the North Carolina Conference with a doctorate in public health nutrition, has developed an innovative program designed to meet the recommended level of exercise for preventing or reversing heart disease. It’s called “Walking with Jesus.”
The program includes a two-mile walk five times a week with accompanying Bible study.
“Walking with Jesus” is suitable for individuals as well as small groups and affords exercise for body, mind and spirit.
The “Walking with Jesus” packet contains a pedometer, study booklets based on the seasons of the Christian liturgical year, resource guide, daily exercise journal and maps of Palestine at the time of Jesus.
If you’ve been waiting to start a walking program or would like to add some zest to your present walking regimen, consider “Walking with Jesus.” It will be introduced at the June 6-9 Southwest Texas Annual Conference session in Corpus Christi.
Information about the program will be available at the Clergy Care booth in Exhibit Hall A at the American Bank Center.
Remember, you don’t need to be involved in Clergy Care Wellness to participate in Walking with Jesus.