One of Oklahoma’s greatest opportunities to elevate the health of its citizens lies in cities and towns making choices that promote fitness. Once physical   education is reintroduced into to our schools, we can look to our communities to provide more incentives and facilities that promote integrate fitness into our daily lives.

Our state’s abundant sunshine and mild winters help set the stage for outdoor activity, which is what many people prefer over working out indoors. So does the close proximity to lakes and parks Oklahomans enjoy.

But for any hometown to qualify as a “Fit City”, we still have work to do. Here’s a list of amenities that say “this community cares about fitness.” And you can never have too many -- at least, until the obesity epidemic is history.

	Being pedestrian-friendly
	Neighborhoods with sidewalks
	Abundant walking/biking trails, parks
	Streets/roads with bike trails
	Pedestrian-friendly drivers
	Schools with walking trails
	High per-capita health/fitness club membership
	Availability of yoga, pilates, tai chi, martial arts and other forms of physical movement training for all ages

An initiative of the Turning Point Council, Walk This Weigh is designed to improve the health of all Oklahomans by:

	Raising public awareness through a fun and innovative approach to reducing weight and increasing physical activity
	Advocating nutritional and physical activity policies and standards in schools, worksites, healthcare systems and governmental entities
	Implementing healthy community design and smart growth strategies

Currently, there are eight Turning Point communities participating in this campaign:

1. Bristow

2. Cherokee County

3. McIntosh County

4. Kingfisher County

5. Jackson County

6. Muskogee County

7. Norman

8. Choctaw County (as part of the Choctaw Nation Diabetes and Wellness Program)

What it is: An exercise program intended to help get Oklahomans fit and have fun doing it!

Promoting Walking

Walking is the perfect exercise for all ages. Pedometers have been shown to motivate and engage kids. There’s no special equipment and minimal opportunity for injury.

It can easily integrated into daily routines.

For years, Tulsa has seen sculling teams gracefully gliding on the Arkansas River. And the recent redevelopment of Oklahoma City’s North Canadian River has seen a rowing club take shape on its banks.

Both rowing and cross-country skiing are recognized as providing the best total-body, aerobic exercise possible, since it engages all muscle groups. Plus, it’s low-impact.

The University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma City University now have rowing teams that compete (and inspire increasing numbers of people to give rowing a try).