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Literally "walking the walk' Mar. 26, 2015 @ 06:36 AM Hats off -- and running/walking shoes on – for the workers at the Orange County Health Department. They are setting an example for us all. Here’s the thing: We all know, even if we often want to avoid the knowledge that we’re in the midst of what can only be called an obesity epidemic. We all know that those New Year’s resolutions we made a scant three months ago to exercise more, eat less and choose our food more wisely, to shed those extra pounds we’ve put on and reduce our stress in the process – we know they’ve long since gone in the dead- letter pile with last year’s, and the ones from the year before. We know we should spend a lot less time on the couch, that another evening of binge-watching a season of “Game of Thrones” while binge- eating mint chocolate chip ice cream is not good for us. Still, we persist. And if people who work for the health department aren’t going to set an example, well, who is? That’s why we’re impressed with the Orange County Health Department team. They are, as The Herald -Sun’s Keith Upchurch reported Wednesday morning, “walking” to California. Not literally, of course. We couldn’t spare them for the time that cross-country trek would take. And not individually – this is a team sport. About 20 staff members, though, have committed to walk a total of 3,000 miles during an eight -week period (roughly the distance to the West Coast Orange County). They’re toting up their mileage each week, recording their individua l distances with pedometers and other devices. They’ll collectively burn close to 300,000 calories. “We are very excited to embark on this health journey as a staff,” Colleen Bridger, Orange county health director, said. “It is a great way for us to practice what we preach every day and raise awareness of public health.” The participants have been inventive. Some are using “standing desks” so they can take stationary steps as they work. One wor ker has hooked a treadmill up to her desk and walks while she works. Colleagues have been seen holding “walking meetings,” which sounds not only healthier but more interesting than being trapped around a conference table. “We often talk about the importance of physical activity, and we want to show the community we’re actually walking the walk,” said Stacy Shelp, the department’s public information officer. Good for them – and many of us could benefit from joining them on that walk.