“Ya know if you do 10,000 steps that’s the equivalent of close to five miles,” said Eamonn Murphy, a participant in the first Wellness Challenge. “This is such a great time of the year to be walking.”
Murphy plans to walk 10,000 steps every day for the next seven days. It’s part of a wellness challenge.
“I think we all have a little streak of competitiveness in that sense, so when you see the numbers ticking up on the pedometer you want to go higher and higher,” said Murphy.
The Wellness Challenge is being put on by the Cancer Resource Center of the Finger Lakes and it serves as a fundraiser.
“Ya know all kinds of exercise counts it doesn’t have to be just out and about walking,” said Murphy.
His reasons for getting his steps up this week go beyond the challenge.
“I’m a prostate cancer survivor and I had a brother who died of cancer last fall and he was an avid walker,” said Murphy. “He loved to walk around the neighborhood. His birthday was first of March so our whole family is walking in his honor for the whole month of March.”
Instead of 10,000 steps, you can commit to a seven-minute daily workout, and you can do it right on Zoom. Lee Ginenthal is one of several people leading activities on Zoom this week to get people up and moving.
“Wellness and staying active is one way to put more life in your years,” said Ginenthal. “The Cancer Resource Center was here for me almost 11 years ago when I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. They helped me through surgery and recovery and this is my way to give back.”
The services the Cancer Resource Center provides are free to people like Lee, so donations as well as volunteers keep the whole program running.
Additional challenges throughout the week include taking classes on yoga, or acupuncture, and doing things to change your eating habits. Whatever you do, it’s to create a groundwork for a healthier life.
You can sign up on their website to participate.
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