Having trouble sticking to that resolution to get more active -- Just Walk!
That’s the message two local organizations are giving as a way to encourage Tucsonans to get out and move. And they plan to help you get started.
El Rio Health Centers and Pima County Medical Society have joined a national movement to get patients to walk a mile with a physician the first three Saturdays every month.
“All of our missions involve improving public health,” said Bill Fearneyhough, PCMS executive director, “We want our neighbors all to become more active and one way to do that is to show them they indeed can walk a mile.”
Health benefits:
- Reduces the risk of coronary heart disease
- Improves blood pressure and blood sugar levels
- Reduces the risk of osteoporosis
- Aids in maintaining body weight and lowers the risk of obesity
- Enhances mental well-being
- Reduces the risk of breast and colon cancer
- Improves blood lipid profile
- Reduces the risk of Type 2 diabetes
PCMS, and El Rio each host one walk on three different Saturdays every month. Each walk is led by a physician who gives a brief overview of the benefits of exercise and answers general questions during the walk.
The walks are open to anyone and the courses are generally flat with some small hills. Wear comfortable shoes. You may bring a cane or walking stick, and a bottle of water. Be sure to dress for the temperatures. Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the walk start.
El Rio: meets at Rudy Garcia Park, 2 E. Irvington Road. For questions / schedule call: 977-6445
PCMS: walks use Rillito River Park. Use the parking lot on the east side of Swan, just south of the bridge. The group meets at the ramada by the water fountain. For questions / schedule call 795-7985.
Just Walk - a walk with a doc - is a program founded in 2005 by David Sabgir MD, a board-certified cardiologist in Columbus, Ohio. It has spread to 40 sites throughout the country. Just Walk is a non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging healthy physical activities for people of all ages and fitness levels.
For more information about Just Walk, log onto www.walkwithadoc.org.