(NC) – Walking is a fun, easy, inexpensive way to improve your health and fitness and feel great! One of the best ways to stay on track is to have a walking partner or even better – join a walking club with a like-minded group of people. If you're a bit shy about joining a walking club through your local YMCA or community centre, why not start one of your own? It's a great way to spend time with friends and yes.meet new people! Here's how to get started:
- Share your ideas with friends who are interested in walking (anyone with a health problem should check with their physician before starting).
- Determine your goals and objectives and how you'd like the club to work.
- Pick a location where your club will walk-for example in your neighbourhood.
- Decide when you are going to walk.
- Incorporate warm-up, cool-down and stretching exercises into the walk routine.
- Create daily or weekly theme walks such as nature walks, discovery walks, and fitness walks.
- Encourage different members to lead the group.
- Create a log sheet so that club members can keep track of their walks and the distance travelled. Post it where everyone can see.
By Kristin Jenkins for the Canadian Health Network
For more information on how to stay healthy, and prevent disease and injury, visit www.canadian-health-network.ca, a collaboration of the Public Health Agency of Canada and major health organizations across Canada.
Ten reasons to stretch
(NC)-Stretching pumps irritants and inflammation away from muscles, and increases the blood supply and flow of nutrients to muscles and joints. This process promotes tissue healing and injury repair. Here are some more reasons why stretching can be beneficial:
- Reduces muscle soreness after exercise
- Accelerates tissue healing
- Improves balance and co-ordination
- Improves posture
- Promotes muscle relaxation
- Boosts your energy levels
- Relieves back and joint pain
- Reduces the likelihood of back pain
- Promotes total body relaxation and a greater sense of well-being
- Maintains lifelong flexibility
For more information on back care and safety visit the Ontario Chiropractic Association Web site at www.chiropractic.on.ca or call 1 877-327-2273. (News Canada)
