(Brockville) – The Thousand Islands Secondary School (TISS) health club along with a variety of community partners is inviting people of all ages to lace up their walking shoes and get out to Get W.I.T.H. It! (Walking In the Halls), a free, indoor walking program at TISS for those who are looking to get some winter exercise in a warm, dry environment.

Get W.I.T.H. It! began at TISS on January 6 and takes place two evenings a week for two hours at a time. Participants are invited to drop in at their convenience and choose amongst three walking route options provided by health club student volunteers: Yellow Route (basic, no stairs); Green Route (moderate, second floor included); Red Route (vigorous, variety of stairs).

Health club advisor and teacher Christie Reitsma said walkers can borrow pedometers to track their steps, as well as strength train with resistance bands by visiting the “Muscle Moment” station located in the middle of the route.

“We started with 20 people and the following week we were up to 40,” said Reitsma. “Last time we had 72 walkers. We’re getting great feedback. People love the social aspect. It’s almost more important to them than the physical aspect.”

Get W.I.T.H. It! is an initiative created by StepsCount.com, a Canadian company that promotes daily physical activity. Get W.I.T.H. It! programs have taken place previously at Almonte and District High School and Carleton Place District High School. Since January, the program has been available at TISS, Smiths Falls District Collegiate Institute and Maple Grove Elementary School in Lanark.

TISS Vice-Principal Lorraine Palmer-Smith said the Rideau Valley Diabetes Services (an outgrowth of the Merrickville District Community Health and Services Centre), has played a huge part in rolling out the program at TISS. She noted further support from Leeds and Grenville Rehabilitation and Counselling Services, the Brockville Family Health Team, the Brockville General Hospital’s Cardiovascular Rehabilitation program and the University of Ottawa Heart Institute which recently named the site a Heart Wise Exercise site – a designation that means the walking program is “cardiac friendly.”

 “Get W.I.T.H. It! is all inclusive and everyone’s welcome,” Reitsma said. “The stories we’ve heard from participants are amazing. Some are recovering from a stroke or have heart disease.”

Sarah Brown, a grade 10 student, health club member and Get W.I.T.H. It! volunteer said the program is perfect for anyone who wants to exercise in the winter but doesn’t want to worry about the weather.

“I’ve heard a lot of people who have fallen or refused to walk in the snow,” she said. “It’s nice to have a dry and warm place to walk, and it’s nice to be with your friends and a big group of people who are doing what you’re doing too. A lot of people have said they have been waiting for something like this for a long time.”

Get W.I.T.H. It! will take place every Monday and Wednesday evening from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. until the end of March.

- 30 -

For more information please call:

Christie Reitsma

Secondary Teacher

Thousand Islands Secondary School

613-342-1100

Lorraine Palmer-Smith

Vice-Principal

Thousand Islands Secondary School

613-342-1100