Boston – Next Monday, the Boston
Public Health Commission (BPHC) will kick off its annual NeighborWalk
program just ahead of National Walking Day, an event observed around
the country on April 2. For the past ten years, BPHC’s NeighborWalk
initiative has helped Boston residents of all ages get physically active
through weekly community-based walking groups. As a free and widely
accessible resource, NeighborWalk has helped thousands of residents work toward
their fitness goals. Last spring alone, over four thousand Bostonians and
nine community organizations participated in NeighborWalk.
This year, the number of
organizations hosting a NeighborWalk group has nearly doubled to seventeen
partners in thirteen neighborhoods. This growth will allow even more
residents to lace up their sneakers and get walking this spring.
NeighborWalk groups begin on Monday,
March 31st. To find a walking group in your neighborhood, visit www.bphc.org/NeighborWalk.
There is strong evidence that
walking promotes good overall health. Research shows that taking a brisk
30-60 minute walk several days a week can help prevent and manage chronic
health conditions such as heart disease, osteoporosis, depression, and
diabetes. Walking also helps maintain a healthy body weight, improve
strength and flexibility, and reduce stress.
“Adding walking to your daily
routine is one of the simplest ways to improve your health – it’s easy, free,
and accessible no matter where you are,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, executive
director of BPHC. “There are a lot of things you can do to make walking a
bigger part of your daily life, and one of the easiest ways to get moving is to
join a walking group. National Walking Day is the perfect time to make a
renewed commitment to walking, and we want to help residents meet their goals
by encouraging people to join one of our NeighborWalk groups.”
National Walking Day, which is
sponsored each year by the American Heart Association, encourages Americans to
lace up their sneakers and walk toward improved health. To promote physical activity, BPHC
is encouraging all Bostonians on April 2 to wear sneakers to work or school and
to walk for a minimum of 30 minutes that day and every day.
Incorporating more steps in your
daily routine is simple. When commuting, think about taking the MBTA
instead of driving, as riding public transit usually involves more walking
between destinations. If you already ride the T regularly, try getting
off a stop early and walking the rest of the way to your destination. If
you do drive, consider parking in the farthest spot in the lot or around the
block to increase your step count. Take the stairs instead of the
elevator when you can. Wear a pedometer or download an app, such as
RunKeeper or MapMyWalk, to track your daily steps, and challenge yourself to
gradually and safely increase your physical activity level.
Walking groups help to encourage a
healthy lifestyle, as well as build social cohesion, enhance neighborhood
safety, and increase utilization of parks and green spaces. Walking with
others can also be a source of motivation to stay active.
“The NeighborWalk Program is a great
resource that allows our members to be more physically active by enjoying a
nice stroll,” said Gail Klimas of the East Boston YMCA Walkers. “We walk
along a beautiful greenway and our walk leader helps participants track and log
their steps. It’s a really great program.”
2014
NeighborWalk Host Organizations:
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·
ABCD
North End
·
East
Boston YMCA
·
ETHOS
·
Franklin
Park Tennis Association
·
Greater
Boston Chinese Golden Age Center
·
Hawthorne
Youth Community Center
·
HOCC
Walkers
·
Hyde
Park YMCA
|
·
Huntington
YMCA
·
Joseph
Smith Community Health Center
·
JP
Tree of Life
·
Madison
Park Development Corporation
·
MGH
Charlestown
·
Upham’s
Corner Health Center
·
Urban
League of Eastern Massachusetts
·
West
Roxbury YMCA
·
Roxbury
YMCA
|
-BPHC-
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