Published: Wednesday, September 16, 2015
No pills, matching tank tops and shorts. Just a pair of sneakers and a bottle of water.
Walking. It’s the healthiest exercise a person can do and one that almost guarantees freedom from the nasty diseases we all fear like heart attacks.
It’s so simple that many people disregard walking as a sissy sport, ineffective, a waste of time. But how wrong could they be.
Dr. James D’Amico and Dr. Andie Iannuzzelli, both on staff at Medford Leas, a not for profit community for older adults on Route 70, want to show their residents and
members of the community that a “Walk With the Docs Workshop” is a sure fire way to stay healthy.
The workshop on September 24 from 10 am to 11:30 am is at the Medford campus. It is part of the fall “Pathways to Learning” program offered to residents and members of the community. Visit www.medfordleas.org for a full listing of concerts, lectures, and hands-on workshops. Most of the events are free although some require registration.
Both doctors are graduates of the University of Medicine and Dentisty of New Jersey.
“Get off your butt,” might be the mantra. D’Amico said a number of residents at Medford Leas could be more active. He hopes to extend his message out to the community and have them join in the workshop.
“If I had to choose one exercise, it would be walking,” said Dr. Iannuzzelli. “If you don’t do something regularly…well you lose it. You see muscle structure deteriorate.”
Dr. Iannuzzelli says it’s easy to increase the difficulty of the exercise by increasing the speed of your walking – start off slow until you’re comfortable enough to increase the speed.
Walking, which is low impact, can help:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Prevent or manage various conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes
- Strengthen your bones.
- Lift your mood
- And improve your balance and coordination.
- There is some research that shows that a regimen of walking can head off dementia and cardio vascular problems.
The doctors will give out simple tips in terms of your walking technique, getting into a routine, setting realistic goals and staying motivated.
This introductory program will be followed by a walk in the Barton Arboretum of Medford Leas. The walk will be on paved surfaces and it’s recommended that you wear comfortable sneakers or shoes.
“Get up and go,” says Dr. D’Amico.
