Page 48 - Play Coastal Mississippi - Fall26 - Winter27

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> Mississippi Coastal Cleanup Program
GOOD FOR YOU good for the Coast
VOLUNTEERING STRENGTHENS COMMUNITY
Story by Joey Lee
Here’s something most people don’t think about when they’re
trying to get in shape: some of the best exercise on the Coast
isn’t happening in a gym. No trainers, no treadmills, no fancy
classes. But there’s plenty of lifting, stretching, and cardio
involved. It’s happening on beaches, in neighborhoods, and
in the woods—and the people doing it aren’t tracking their
heart rate or counting reps. They’re just showing up to help!
If you’re looking for a way to move more or just a reason to
get off the couch that actually feels worth it, the Coast has no
shortage of ways to give back, and a lot of them come with a
side effect: you’re going to get a real workout.
The Mississippi Coastal Cleanup Program runs cleanups
regularly across Hancock, Harrison and Jackson Counties.
Since 2016, more than 10,000 volunteers have put in nearly
40,000 hours and removed over 70 tons of litter from local
beaches, waterways and wetlands.
That may not sound like exercise, but a cleanup usually means
several hours of walking on uneven terrain, bending over and
over (and over), hauling bags and covering more ground than
you planned. It’s steady, continuous movement—the kind that
improves cardiovascular health and flexibility. And unlike a
workout, you don’t stop because a timer goes off. You stop
when the beach looks better.
48 PLAY COASTAL MISSISSIPPI I OCT 26-MAR 27 COASTALMISSISSIPPI.COM