Dr Silveria on Weight Loss

Walking Groups

Many of our current health problems and lifestyle have arisen from the fact that we eat too much and too little exercise, ie too much energy and very little energy.

Therefore we have:

• Global levels obesity record
• Increased levels of type II diabetes
• Increasing levels of bowel cancer
• Increasing levels of vascular disease
• One in three people suffers from a mood disorder
• And the list goes on.

The key to many of these problems is regular physical activity, but many of us wonder, "What kind of physical activity should I do?" Well, there is a solution to this lack of physical activity and how we can solve it, and it's so ridiculously simple, I suspect that we have completely lost – on foot!

Yes, the simple act of putting one foot in front of another several thousand times a day will go a long way to improving the health of individuals and the nation. Walking is the most popular and practical way for people of different ages and abilities to be active and is the best, it's free.

Heart Foundation and other leading health agencies encourage people to find at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day and walking is an easy way to do it. To help achieve this objective, the Heart Foundation has been hiking up a big program which is free and accessible to all.

Heart Foundation Walking is a network of community walking groups operating throughout the country. You can join an established group or start your own group and register with the Heart Foundation so that you can not only help yourself, may encourage others to be active too. You can find a group to meet their own skills, you can even walk with several groups if you want and you will be rewarded along the walking path to reach milestone (ie, 25 walks). The only requirement is a good pair of walking shoes and a desire to improve their health. Walking with others is a great way to stay motivated!

Other tips to increase your walk is when you take it to work, set forth above and find a parking space farther away from their place of work and walk from there or get off the bus or train one stop early and walk the rest of the road. A weekend, think, or standing bike to your local mall for the extras that you forgot in the big supermarket.

And this walk is not just for adults. Talk to other parents in their children's classes and think about the formation of walking school buses. It's great for kids and helps you as a parent to interact with children your child will spend much of their time with more than 12 years (and that experience can be a revelation!)

And for all those couch potatoes Gray who think they may have escaped without a scratch on the foot is at stake – you're a prime target for health care providers who advocate for physical activity part of total health care. Older people suffer more problems than most and be physically fit and so makes life easier. Also maintains that the heart and circulation as strong bones and brain! But remember, always consult your physician before beginning any new exercise program, just to make sure he is good for you.

For more information about Heart Foundation Walking Mobile 1300 36 27 87 or visit www.heartfoundation.org.au / walk

See you on the track!

About the Author

HBF Health Funds, the largest health insurance provider in Western Australia.

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