Nadine Naujoks has formed a walking group called The Foothills Mile Markers.

The group meets at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, rain or shine, at the Tom Raymond Fitness Trail, located near St. Luke’s Hospital in Columbus. According to Naujoks, the only time the group does not meet is if the weather is so bad the schools close.

Naujoks said the focus of the group is to help people improve their fitness level and lose weight, if desired.

“No matter what your fitness level, the least expensive and highly effective way to maintain or ramp up that level is by walking,” Naujoks said. “There have been too many times I’ve lost weight and then once I reached that goal, I got complacent and guess what, the weight came right back, far easier than it was to take off! So, to keep myself accountable and to help others reach their health and fitness goals, I’ve started this walking group.”

Naujoks said in addition to helping improve health and fitness, a walking group will give participants the following benefits:

• Safety
• Socialization
• Accountability
• Friendship
• Motivation

“The camaraderie of a walking group and the shared fitness success can help you walk your way to better health,” Naujoks said. “Getting support from others by walking together will actually help us stick with our health and fitness goals.”

The Foothills Mile Markers walking group is free, but Naujoks suggests everyone chip in a donation each week into a kitty. Each month half of the kitty will be donated to the Tryon Youth Center and the other half divided and given to participants as rewards for the most inches lost and most improved fitness.

Call 828-894-5746 or message the Foothills Mile Markers Facebook page for more information.

– -article submitted by Nadine Naujoks