Trek way to better health and walk to work Friday

A faithful reader emailed that this Friday is National Walk to Work Day and suggested a column be devoted to the subject. Typically our page-mate, Natalie Litzell, is responsible for the exercise portion of healthy living and last Wednesday’s newspaper ran a story extolling the virtues of walking.

What more could we add? Well, today is Hug a Newsperson Day (it’s amazing what you can find on the Internet) so, looking forward to some affection we’ll touch on the virtues of walking to wherever you need to go.

Before starting on any exercise program, talk to your medical provider. Your practitioner knows best what you can and cannot do safely. Although we tend to think of walking as a rather benign exercise, it’s important that you’re healthy enough to start, to know how fast and how far you should go and whether there are any restraints you should know about.

So, what are we going to do on Friday? We’re going for about a 30-minute walk. If you live further away from work than that, park your car about 15 minutes from your place of business and walk to and fro. If Friday is your day off, walk around the block a few times.

Take the stairs. Every step you take will improve your overall health. And don’t just do it this week. Do it all the time. Make it a habit.

Be sure you’re wearing good supportive athletic shoes. Dress for the weather and carry your dress shoes, umbrella and other personal belongings in a small backpack. This way you’re arms are open for some good swinging.

Why? Because walking for 30-60 minutes each day greatly reduces your risk of dying from heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes. Who needs more motivation than that?

Oh, you do? Then, how about walking is excellent for your cognitive function? It’s also good for your bones and can actually increase bone density. Also walking helps alleviate symptoms of depression and improves physical function. Plus, researchers say that walking reduces the risks of breast and colon cancers.

More? It can lower your bad cholesterol, raise the good, lower your blood pressure and, what a surprise, can keep your weight under control. All that for a low-impact, relatively easy, can do it anywhere (just about) regime.

You don’t need to push yourself too hard, but if you like the exhilaration of a very brisk walk, walk slowly the last five minutes to wind down. Be sure to stretch a little before you set out and after you reach your destination.

Any good exercise program is coupled with a good nutrition plan. For a terrifically informative workshop on nutrition, join Audrey Buck, Bonner General Hospital’s Director of Dietary on Monday, April 9.

Buck is a registered licensed dietician and certified diabetes educator, and well versed on eating for a healthy lifestyle.

Also on the agenda this month for BGH Wellness Series is a workshop on healthy activity and exercise presented by Jody Thoreson, R.N. on April 16.

And on April 23 the topic will be stress management. This session will be facilitated by Brianna Thoreson, licensed clinical social worker.

All these classes are held at BGH’s conference room, 510 N. Third at noon.

For more information call 263-1441.

Kathy Hubbard is a trustee on Bonner General Hospital Foundation Board. She can be reached at kathyleehubbard@yahoo.com, 264-4029. Source: www.mayoclinic.com.