We Are All Special Walkers
It’s good to see so many dedicated walkers out walking on a regular basis in our community. Autumn begins Tuesday and we already feel a tint of coolness in the air.
Notable is the efforts that so many of our walkers put in to consistently walk several times each week, all year round. No, I am not talking only about those who go the fastest or walk the longest. I am talking about the people that walk overcoming difficulties.
- The number of 80 plus year old walkers that are regular walkers in our community is truly impressive. In fact, they are some of the best walkers. You can tell they have made walking an important part of their lives.
- The walkers who bounced back from heart operations, knee and hip replacements and other medical procedures and are determined to do what they can to fight back.
- The walkers that walk while dealing with ongoing health problems or limitations, like sight problems, back problems, foot or ankle problems, or walk with a cane. You know it’s not easy for them to walk but they do.
- The walkers who decided to do something to improve their health, who decided to get up, walk out the door and start a habit of walking on a regular basis.
Yes, these walkers are truly an inspiration and admired for their dedication. Village at Deaton Creek has a wonderful parkway for walkers extending two miles from front gate to rear gate.
Walking is accessible to people with health problems
Walking makes it easier to move hip and knee joints so that you feel less pain. The motion actually lubricates the joints, so walking is good for people with arthritis or injuries to the knees and other joints.
Walkers are more likely to stay independent
A study found that older people who regularly walked were 41% less likely to develop a disability that could require them to go to a hospital. By walking you are decreasing the risk of disability and you’ll be able to stay independent longer.
Walking can reduce your risk of death
A study shows women who walked just 4,400 steps per day had a 41% decreased risk of death compared to women who walked only 2,700 steps per day.
Walking improves cardiovascular fitness
Walking reduces the risks of having high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, which are all problems that tend to affect us older people.
Clearly walking for fitness works!
