DEIRDRE GRAHAM
THE Heart Foundation has launched a program to motivate more people to take up regular walking, and Riverland walking groups have extended a warm welcome to people to join them.
A Heart Foundation survey of more than 7000 Australian adults found two in three said they knew that exercise can lower their risk of heart disease, the nation’s single leading cause of death.
Yet two-thirds of these people said they failed to meet Australian physical activity guidelines of 30 minutes of moderate exercise five or more days a week.
At the same time, 44 per cent of respondents said they had been told by doctors they need to be more active.
The foundation launched its Personal Walking Plan last week, a free six-week program that provides participants with a walking plan tailored to their current activity levels, as identified during an easy, two-minute sign-up process.
The Riverland is home to several Heart Foundation walking groups including in Renmark, Loxton, Barmera and Berri.
Happy Wanderers Renmark group organiser Lyn Wilkinson said that Renmark group has 40 walkers.
Its oldest is Pauline, at 88, and youngest Sally, at 53. At 73, Lyn has wracked up 1402 walks since joining.
As well as helping keep members active and mobile, Mrs Wilkinson said the twice-weekly walk has emotional and social benefits for those who take part.
“Because of our age, the older we get, we tend to be less mobile,” Mrs Wilkinson said.
“The Heart Foundation recommends walking regularly (and) I love it, being out in the fresh air, meeting people.
“It is a lovely riverbank to walk along, so it is all good.”
The Renmark group walks Mondays and Thursdays from 9.30am next to the town’s tourist office.
It was the first group formed in South Australia, more than 16 years ago.
The Heart Foundation says the new personal walking plan will be delivered via weekly emails and texts, which are designed to both support and motivate participants, and also deliver information about the many other benefits of walking beyond fitness and heart health.
To get started with a free Heart Foundation Personal Walking Plan visit Walking.org.au.