Mississippi’s First Lady ushered in City Park’s inauguralcommunity walk Thursday with her popular catch phrase “Let’s GoWalkin’, Mississippi” and led approximately 200 Lincoln Countiansalong the new path.

Marsha Barbour, Gov. Haley Barbour’s wife, is the publicspokeswoman for the “Let’s Go Walkin’ Mississippi” program, whichis sponsored by Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Mississippi.

She has personally attended many of the 11 community walks held inthe state since May, said Wade Overstreet, program director. Theprogram started in the state in October 2006.

“It’s goal is to teach people the health benefits of walking,”Overstreet said. “I think we’re getting there. We’ve been verypleased with the success of the program.”

To help people get started, Blue Cross/Blue Shield gaveparticipants a free information packet and pedometer. More than50,000 pedometers have been distributed at the community walks, hesaid.

Mayor Bob Massengill said it was appropriate that the city’s firstcommunity walk be held at its newest walking trail. A grand openingfor walking trail at City Park is tentatively scheduled for nextmonth.

Although open to the public, the trail is still beingcompleted.

“This walking trail is brand new,” Massengill said. “We’ll havelights up and exercise stations installed probably in a fewweeks.”

Barbour and Massengill said it important to educate residents onthe benefits of regular exercise and to encourage them to begin aroutine walking program.

Massengill said he was delighted to see the diversity of people whoattended the walk, where he saw a mother push her 15-month-old babyin a stroller and a 96-year-old woman make the walk.

Barbour said what makes walking a healthy experience is that anyonecan do it.

“Children can do it. You can do it as a family,” she said. “You canadopt the best program you can to fit your lifestyle.”

The state’s first lady said she has been walking for about 20years.

“I started jogging when I was young and then the joints went bad,”Barbour said. “Walking is a healthy alternative.”

She said an exercise regimen of any kind is necessary in a statethat leads the nation in obesity.

“I don’t like the obesity word. I prefer waist management,” shesaid as the crowd chuckled.

Walking, she said, offers a host of health benefits includingweight control, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, strongermuscles and bones, enhanced moods and can help people to sleepbetter.

Barbour also took advantage of her visit to Brookhaven to promotereading. She visited Mamie Martin Elementary School to read to acombined class of kindergartners.