WWE Testimonials provided with permission from the

North Carolina Center for Health and Wellness (NCCHW).

Q: Have you continued to use what you learned in this program?

I still use the stretches, and I walk all I can every day. My goal is to be in better shape at 75 than I was at 65.

Q: How did the program help your understanding of chronic conditions?

It confirmed what I already knew. I already had an understanding of my conditions and knew you have to move. Moving is key, it really helps the pain. When you move, it keeps your joints open and expels chemical build-up. When you are walking you move all of your joints and keep everything free.

When I started the program I could hardly walk one lap around the arena even using walking sticks. By the end, I was among the faster ones and I could walk extra laps.

Q: What is one thing you would like others to know about this program if they are considering participating?

It was enjoyable. It’s good to get together and have people to talk to. I would’ve ended up in a wheelchair if I didn’t keep moving and being active, the program helped me to keep active.

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Q: What was the most helpful part of the Walk With Ease program?

The gentleness. There was no pressure. Structure was great too, having the book to read and walking 10 minutes at a time and not all at once. The FITT tool (frequency, intensity, time, type) was helpful to let me know I was doing too much and I learned to only increase one aspect at a time.

Q: Will you continue to use what you learned in this program?

Absolutely. I will still do the stretches. Before taking this class I was in pain all the time. I would overdo it and then be in pain and unable to get up for days. Now I do 10 minutes at a time and I feel so much better. I would like to teach this program in the future because I want people to know it helps. Just follow the program. Do what you can, even if it is only for a minute.

Comments from WWE Leaders and Administrators

• “[Our] participants seem to be really enjoying the workshop and making improvements in their health.”
• “[We] have many repeaters (some a 3rd time!). They are all enjoying the class and learning from them.”

• “We have one participant who was not walking any more than around the grocery store before joining the class. She walks with a walker but is already up to over a mile of walking! That’s fantastic progress for her!”

• “[It’s] going well at the local church –80% of registrants (about 10) consistently appear, and they are all making strides (pun intended) in the distance they can walk and with the ease in which they can walk. It helps that almost all of the registrants are also congregants at the Church, as is the Leader. Therefore, she is able to remind them on Sundays or check in with them one-on-one if they miss a session.”

• “I heard from center staff about a participant that started the Walk With Ease program walking with a cane and they noticed by the end of the class, she was no longer using her cane to walk with the group. Other participants mentioned that they ‘enjoyed the program’ and another thought the class was “very fun.”

Comments from Instructor-led/Group WWE Participants

• “It gets me up and gets me going. It is so easy to just sit.”

• “It has been very helpful if you struggle with arthritis.”

• “I like the group discussion. It is a tremendous program of good walking and fellowship. I would highly recommend it to anyone.”
• “The program has made a huge difference in my being able to walk more and easier.”
• “The program got me walking with more regularity. I like walking three days a week in class with others.”

• “I found the stretches valuable and try to do them when I walk outside of class.”

• “I found it to be a lot of fun because of the people you meet. It helps ease my pain.”

• “Back in February I found out I was a diabetic and had several conversations [with the program administrator] about Walking with Ease. At this point I went to their first meeting at the Congregational Church and decided it was time to do something about the way I was eating and not getting any exercise in. I changed my eating habits by omitting fried foods, desserts, candy, etc. I started walking every day. I started watching my carbs and sugar intake. As of September 6^th, I have lost 62 pounds and I’m still walking every day and still watching what I eat. It has been a long hard road for me to do this. Because I like my sweets. But I feel so much better.

• I don’t think I would have done the Walking with Ease if [the program administrator]  hadn’t kept after me to come to the meeting. I want to thank her for the encouragement. I kept telling her I couldn’t walk because I have osteoarthritis in both knees. Today my knees are better and don’t ache like they used to. Plus, my sugar is under control…I want to thank you guys for that first meeting and the encouragement you showed me. It means a lot to me. You are always in my heart and prayers.”

• “I learned a lot from this program this year. I wasn’t aware of my habits until I started keeping track of them on paper.  I am more active than I realized including going kayaking, helping my mother, walking with my daughter, and spending time with my granddaughter. Thank you again for sharing this program with us here.”

• “Walking gave me more willpower to cut out drinking soda, as I was trying to not only become more physically fit but lose some belly fat. I now have lost and will continue to try lose more. Win-win situation!”

• “I just love talking to all of you! My depression is always better when I get out and talk with people.”

• “My endurance has improved.”
• “I just feel better all-around after walking with this group.”
• “I am happy with the book and especially like how easy it is to figure out the stretching exercises”

Comments from Self-Directed WWE Participants

• “I was able to increase my endurance, and distance over the 6-week walking period.”
• “I’m pleased with the progress I’ve made and especially that walking did ease the pain I experienced when I was more sporadic, not systematic in my exercise routine.”
• “This helped me be more intentional about walking.”
• “It was good motivation to consistently walk every week.”
• “… this program has given me an opportunity to test and prove that exercise does help – not hinder – pain from arthritis.”
• “This program made a difference in my life (health-wise).”
• “I found that I slept better when I walked regularly.”
• “I enjoyed the program very much and it has encouraged me to continue walking.”
• “It was a fun time of exercise and interaction (when walking with others)”