BMC launching ‘Walk with a Doc’ program
Finding time to exercise can be challenging, but as little as 30 minutes of daily walking can have significant health benefits, which is why Bend Memorial Clinic is introducing a new physician-led Walk with a Doc educational exercise series every Tuesday from 7-7:30 a.m. beginning Jan. 5.
The weekly sessions, which depart from and return to the Old Mill District’s Columbia Street dog park, will feature a 3-5 minute educational component followed by 30 minutes of walking with different physicians each week.
Made possible in part by a $7,500 grant from the Central Oregon Independent Practice Association, the series is part of the national Walk with a Doc program that works to encourage healthy physical activity in people of all ages, and to reverse the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle.
According to the American Heart Association, walking has the lowest dropout rate of any physical activity. In addition to the physical health benefits associated with Walk with a Doc, exercising with other people also provides benefits of motivation and socialization and there is growing research that suggests merely getting outdoors and experiencing nature has significant health benefits.
“Walking even 30 minutes a day can lead to many health benefits, from stress reduction to reduced risk for coronary heart disease, obesity, osteoporosis, Type 2 diabetes, and breast and colon cancer to name a few,” said Dr. Charlotte Lin, project sponsor and a Bend Memorial Clinic family physician. “Our hope is that the Walk with a Doc series will act as a catalyst to help people carve out a half-hour each day to walk or engage in another form of aerobic activity.”
WHAT: Free weekly Walk with A Doc educational/exercise series
WHEN: 7-7:30 a.m., every Tuesday beginning Jan. 5
WHERE: Old Mill District Columbia Street Dog Park
Walk with a Doc participants will receive a complimentary pedometer while supplies last, multiple giveaways and raffles throughout the year and a health journal to track their steps taken, minutes exercised, and calories burned.
As with many Central Oregon events, the weekly series is weather dependent and may be cancelled during winter months due to snowy or icy trail conditions. BMC’s online event calendar will have updated information on cancellations by 5:00 p.m. the Monday before each walk. To encourage people to come in January and February, participants will be entered in to a raffle each month.
“Walking in the morning helps kick start your metabolism for the day, and it gets your workout in before life’s other distractions have a chance to get in the way,” said Dr. Lin. “As physicians, we’re excited to share this time, as well as our knowledge and insights about a number of topics, with the community outside of the typical clinical setting.”
