By LESLIE WILLIS

Many articles in health magazines feature celebrities and models who participate in yoga, jogging, or kickboxing. They make it appear as if people are doing nothing but exercising all day long.

Many newspaper articles have appeared, reporting on research about chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cancer along with one of the major underlying chronic conditions, physical inactivity. But the reality of today’s society and our health is often very different.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than one-third of all adults do not meet the recommendations for aerobic physical activity, and 23 percent report no leisure-time physical activity at all in the preceding month.

The CDC recommends 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (i.e. brisk walking) or 1 hour and 15 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity (i.e. jogging or running) weekly.

For some people, meeting these guidelines might be difficult due to time constraints, lack of accountability, or limited measured walking routes. Meanwhile, others are meeting them, but would like to interact with new people and share their favorite walking path.

The Town of Davidson, Parks and Recreation Department would like to help connect both groups of individuals. Attend one of the start-up meetings for the Davidson Walking Club on Tuesday, Sept. 27 at either 9:30 am or 6:30 pm at the Parks and Recreation Office (416 Armour Street). If you are unable to attend one of the meetings, contact Leslie Willis at 704-940-9699.

Leslie Willis is the Town of Davidson’s Healthy Living and Wellness Supervisor.

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PARC says the program is aimed at toward seniors who are looking to socialize with their peers and enjoy fitness at the same time.

Meet at the playground at the tennis courts in Bailey Road Park, 11536 Bailey Road, off NC 115. Walkers will follow the trail that loops around the park.

Seniors can walk as long as they want, and it’s free. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing. The first Wednesday the club will meet will be May 18. For additional information, please contact Ryan Wertz at 704-896-2460, ext 188.

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Meredith Johnston (left) and Mary Alice Mitchell are faces you may recognize. They've made a conscious effort to walk instead of drive their cars in town. The children (from left): Garrett Johnston, Campbell Johnston, Payson Johnston, Carolina Mitchell, John Mitchell and Grady Mitchell. Photo courtesy of Tommy Mitchell

By AMY REISS
The Charlotte Observer

You’ve seen them. As you drive down Concord Road or Main Street here in Davidson, you notice them out of your car window. Then again, the next day. And the next.

Two women, walking. One pushes a stroller. Just ahead of them, five boys ride their bikes.

In a walking community like Davidson, it’s not surprising to see runners, bikers and students hurrying to class. But Mary Alice Mitchell and Meredith Johnston are more than occasional pedestrians.

Both have made a conscious effort to forgo their cars whenever possible and adopt walking as a way of life.

The two met at the end of 2005, when Johnston moved onto Conroy Avenue in the St. Alban’s neighborhood, right next door to Mitchell. Their friendship began with a shared passion – running.

The two quickly became running partners, getting up five mornings a week and knocking out 41/2 miles. On Saturdays, they do 71/2.

And that other woman you see with them?

That’s their friend, Ann Boye, who often joins them.

Their shared love of exercise led them to take their kids to the first Walking Wednesday of the year at Davidson Elementary in September 2008, right when their oldest sons started kindergarten. Walking Wednesday is held the first Wednesday of each month, when Davidson Elementary encourages all pupils to walk or bike to school and increase awareness of the importance of physical activity.

It was an instant hit.

“We just decided it was really good for them and fun for us, so we said ‘Let’s do it again tomorrow.’ And we’ve been doing it ever since,” Mitchell said.

The families have a bit of a routine. Each morning, they head over to Davidson Elementary with Johnston and Mitchell walking and pushing Carolina Mitchell, 3, in a stroller. Their sons – Campbell, Payson and Garrett Johnston, ages 7, 6, and 6 respectively; and Grady and John Mitchell, ages 9 and 8 – ride their bikes, stopping at designated corners.

After dropping off the boys, the moms take Carolina to Davidson College Presbyterian Church preschool, then trek over to the Lake Norman YMCA, where Mitchell teaches yoga.

Even in rainy weather, the families are out there, sheltered by umbrellas. But there are always exceptions.

“If it’s below 18 degrees, we don’t walk, there’s just too much complaining,” said Mitchell. “But if it’s 19 degrees, we do,” she added, laughing.

Although anyone’s children might whine about freezing weather, that’s about the only time the Mitchell and Johnston kids do – with one exception.

“They complain if they don’t have each other,” said Johnston.

Although the families each remain two-car households, they make concentrated efforts to consolidate errands and frequent local businesses so they have to use the autos as little as possible.

The moms pick doctors, hair salons and businesses such as the local CVS that they can walk to. They do still drive to the Harris Teeter.

“It’s too hard to walk back with all those groceries,” said Mitchell, but she tries to make one big trip rather than lots of little ones.

Another benefit? “I’m not constantly going to Target and spending lots of money,” said Mitchell.

“It forces you to be more efficient in planning errands,” said Johnston.

The two hope that their lifestyle is contagious.

“We love to hear that we’re an example for others,” said Johnston.

Mitchell agrees.

“We have the privilege of living in a walkable community, so we take advantage of it. And if people want to do it, we’ll tell them it’s not as hard as it seems.”

This story is reprinted with permission from The Charlotte Observer as part of DavidsonNews.net’s local news partnership with the Observer.

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