Walk with Ease was identified by the Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) Team as an action that - when combined with other actions in our community - has a reasonable chance of making a difference in physical activity in our community. This is an on-going program in our community.

The priority population/customers for Walk with Ease are adults who wish to increase their physical activity, and the program aims to make a difference at the individual/interpersonal/organizational and community change level. Implementation will take place in the community and virtually.

Walk with Ease has been conducted in person (pre-pandemic) and self guided (post-pandemic).  Our goal for ongoing implementation is to find a balance between both delivery styles in an effort to better meet our communities need.  

The partners for Walk with Ease include:

In 2022 the program remained as an online self-led program and there were 2 newly registered participants to the Walk with Ease (WWE) program increasing the total Madison County participation to 11 for 2021 and 2022. In March it was recognized that the online portal for registration was not active and that was corrected. In August due to the lack of new participation there was an advertisement for the program and registration details published in the Madison County Employee Newsletter to try and promote involvement.

In the Fall we contacted the two new participants in an effort to collect feedback on the program and to inquire about completion. One answered, providing limited feedback and they in fact were not able to complete the program. 

Land of Sky Regional Council is attempting to recruit and train leaders for the Walk with Ease program in hopes of restarting an in-person version in the near future.  Furthermore, the HEAL team is looking to local providers for collaboration in regard to promoting participation. 

In 2023, the self-led program continued to be offered online and there were 3 newly registered participants to the Walk with Ease (WWE) program increasing the total Madison County participation to 14 for 2021-2023.  None of the 3 participants completed the post program survey/evaluation. 

Land of Sky Regional Council attempted to hold in-person sessions twice during 2023 but did not receive enough registrants to hold the program.  

The HEAL Team has provided resources to help generate more interest among potential participants.  This will help to improve outreach to community with the target of generating more regsistrants and participation. In addition, plans are to partner in the future with a local senior center to eliminate transportation barriers. 

Lastly, a local community health worker has started a "Walk With Me" program.  The group meets on Tuesday's and Thursday's to walk together and has enrolled 6 participants.