Walk The Walk Doc

Doc Walking 2009

By Lisa M. Belisle, MD, MPH
Originally published May 14, 2009, The Maine Switch

I am a rain-runner. And a night-walker. And a snow-plodder. I wander wooded paths and city streets with equal enthusiasm. My life is more satisfying when I plan rambling into my day. Meandering keeps my body healthy and my soul sane.

I often meander by myself, I am never alone. My camera is my constant companion. Sometimes I will send pictures directly to a specific recipient, but usually I will post them on my blog or upload them to Facebook or Twitter. I want my friends to see my world: the rain, the night, the snow. Likewise, I enjoy knowing where my friends are wandering. I feel that I am with them in spirit, taking in the D.C. cherry blossoms or catching rays in Cocoa Beach.

While it is lovely to be with others in spirit, it is even more gratifying to amble with a warm body by my side. My daughter and I frequently saunter down to the local coffee shop; my husband and I stroll by the light of the moon. When my far-flung siblings return to Yarmouth, we’ll often take a long run out to Cousins Island. There is nothing better than roving the roads with a friend.

Last summer I engaged in regular group roving sessions as part of “Walk with the Doc (WWTD).” WWTD met at the Sparhawk Mill in Yarmouth (where my office is located) every Tuesday. Our numbers were small, but our participants were dedicated. Ginny, Beverly, Kathy and Angela and I luxuriated in our gentle 45-minute excursion along the Royal River to the East Elm park, up to Main Street and back down Bridge Street.

WWTD was immensely enjoyable. The group stopped intermittently for photo-ops and rest breaks, if needed. Between breaks, we would chat. Sometimes the topics were health-related, sometimes not. I learned a lot about the women who walked with us. We discussed our families and our lives. We talked about parenting young children, and grandparenting older children. It was a sneaker-clad bonding fest.

When autumn rolled around, we put our bonding-fest on hold. Though I am a winter wanderer, I did not expect the same of others. I run the Royal River path regularly, even in the snow, and I know how treacherous it can be. So we took a hiatus.

I’m happy to report that our WWTD hiatus is over. We will take to the path at 11:45 on Tuesdays, weather permitting, starting on May 19, 2009. There is no charge. All are invited to join us at 81 Bridge Street. Participants should wear sneakers and comfy clothes — and be physically capable of a 45-minute walk (check with your health care provider if you aren’t sure).

Participants should also come prepared to enjoy the lush greenery of the spring and the companionship of others. They should have a tolerance of meandering, camera-carrying doctors. They should have a desire for a healthy body and a satisfying life.

Hope to see you there.

__________________________________________________

81 Bridge Street, Suite 113 • Yarmouth Maine 04096 • (207) 847-9393
info@drlisabelisle.com

Posted at 04:53 PM in Mindfulness, Walking | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

October 22, 2009

Meet the Doc Walkers...Guest Post by Katherine Dall

Hippocrates wisely proclaimed, “Walking is man’s best medicine.” Little did he know that thousands of years later the new benefits of walking would change, restore, and save lives in the 21st century.

Ginny Garneau, a Cumberland citizen, looks like the perfect picture of health. She could easily pass for one of those professional athletes featured on a box of Wheaties. However, you would never know that this trim and toned lady with the healthy glow has high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis. Ginny says, “Walking helps all three diseases. I joined the Tuesday walks, because of Dr Lisa. I am always learning something new from her that I can use in my daily life. Lisa is a great leader! Every Tuesday I look forward to an uplifting walk with interesting, vibrant, and caring people. Also, I walk 12 miles a week, and I take Zumba classes at Greely Elementary School every Thursday evening from 6:30-7:30.” (Zumba is the popular dance/aerobic fitness workout that is combined with lively Latin music.) For several years Ginny belonged to a fitness club where she participated mainly in aerobics. Eventually she changed her exercise routine to help meet the needs of her body and her active life style. Daily walking plus upbeat Zumba classes motivate this amazing senior citizen to lead a happy, healthy, “on the go” life.

Beverly Wyse, a former preschool teacher, trained ballet dancer, and model from Cumberland is a life-long walker who feels as if she has been walking forever. Her childhood memories include walks through Maine woods picking violets, and hikes to nearby farms feeding horses. As a teenager in the 1960’s, summering on Branch Pond she was motivated to walk in order to spend time with friends. Walking was a way of life. Today she explores Scarborough beaches and cliffs with close friends to maintain an energized, active and balanced life style. (Along her coastal treks she sometimes runs into Glen Close who also, reaps the same healthy benefits of regular walking.) Beverly ‘s alternative exercise program focuses on step aerobics, weightlifting, and spinning four times weekly at Foreside Fitness. In the winter months she is engaged in x-c skiing. During the past two years, this enthusiastic walker has thoroughly enjoyed the Doc Walk, because she loves the genuine camaraderie of an organized group that shares her views on health and fitness. Walking outside in the fresh air eliminates her stress as she appreciates her bond with nature and new friends. Beverly also, receives beneficial acupuncture treatments from her mentor, Dr. Lisa who alleviates her pain, improves her health, and inspires her to stay in motion.

Jane and Roy Haugen are members of Volksmarch, an international non- profit sports club that promotes self-paced, non-competitive group walking. During the past three years, the Haugens have participated in 5K walks with the American Volkssport Association which offers fun, fitness, and friendship for its chapter members in Southern Maine. These two seniors have spent 35 years walking, running, and cross country skiing together. They also, worked out for 14 year in a USM exercise program to stay in shape. When they read Dr Lisa’s wellness column in Switch, and listened to her medical advice on the radio (WLOB 95.5 FM) they were inspired to join her weekly walking group.

“Lisa encourages others, and has a great philosophy about life that focuses on regular exercise and eating well,” states Jane. This kind of encouragement is important for this former runner and speed walker. Jane was forced to switch her walking, snow shoeing, and cross country skiing workouts from challenging inclines to a flat terrain, because she has to deal with osteoporosis. “It’s important to treat the whole body to stay mentally and physically active. Keep moving, hit a high, and just keep going,” advises Jane. Her husband Roy also, strongly believes that regular walking relieves his stress, and strengthens his whole body while making him feel better. This sports-minded couple has proven that you can age well in Maine (all year long), if you keep in step as a team by sharing the “Spirit of Walking” with others.

The common thread that ties the Doc Walkers together is a mutual desire to stay healthy and fit. This year Dr Lisa extended the program for an extra month into September to accommodate those individuals who looked forward to their weekly group trek along the Royal River. The final Tuesday walk eventually ended at the Royal Bean to celebrate several months of friendship and invigorating exercise. As we slowly approach winter, some of us will continue walking while others will become involved in cold weather sports and aerobic fitness to maintain a certain level of well being.

The final step is to invite you to put some old-fashioned fun back into your life by joining the Doc Walkers next spring in Yarmouth. You will be warmly welcomed by the regular members, and their inspirational mentor, Dr Lisa Belisle who will gladly lead you in a walk that is guaranteed to produce wellness while adding a HEALTHY dimension to your life.

Posted at 03:39 PM in Walking | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

October 14, 2009

A Weekly Walk with the Doc...Guest Post by Katherine Dall

Walking weekly with Lisa Belisle, THE WALK THE WALK DOC, for the past two years has been a positive motivator for improving personal health and fitness. My involvement in her Yarmouth based walking group gave me confidence to participate in the 5th ANNUAL SAFE PASSAGE 5K RUN & WALK in Cumberland this spring. I managed to push a 30 pound, two year old toddler for 1.5 miles in a jogging stroller to the Greely High School starting line. When the gun went off, little Zach received the ride of his life, while we chased 309 runners in a fast paced, 3.1 mile foot race through the streets of Cumberland. After this invigorating 5K run, we jogged home for an additional 1.5 miles. It was an exhilarating experience for this 66 year old woman who owed her successful race to the walking doc.

Every Tuesday morning at 11:45, I look forward to a leisurely, 45 minute stroll that starts at the historic Sparhawk Mill on Bridge Street. This is free time to escape a busy schedule, re-energize, and connect with new friends who like to stay in shape. Armed with digital cameras, and lots of enthusiasm, the group enjoys a trek through the Royal River Park, a picturesque sanctuary offering some dramatic views of waterfalls, and dam sites on the scenic Royal River. Sometimes we slow our pace to appreciate the lovely surroundings while engaging in meaningful conversations. We always stop at a roaring water fall to photograph “a few special moments in time” before continuing on the trails that lead us to the main street village and finally back to the old textile mill.

Most of us will never run a 26.2 mile marathon, but we do know that regular walking is a beneficial, low- impact, aerobic exercise that alleviates stress, improves sleep, reduces the risks of life threatening diseases, strengthens bones, and promotes longevity while providing a wonderful sense of well being and inner peace. My grandfather, Judge Walter H. Foster always said, “ If you wish to lead a healthy, productive life and live to be 100, you must walk at least five miles daily.” This avid, life-long walker who encouraged his 11 grandchildren to walk every day was shy of his longevity goal by only three years. Hopefully I will be able to follow in his footsteps.

My walking experience started at age eight when I walked two miles daily to school. This exercise regimen continued through high school, college and into my 60’s. When I was invited to join Dr. Lisa’s group, I was grateful, because the Doc Walk eventually motivated me to increase my personal walk and jog sessions to five days weekly. Soon there was a noticeable rise in my energy level followed by a decrease in weight gain. Just a few years ago my personal physician was amazed when she observed the results of my bone density scan. It was equivalent to that of a 25 year old woman. Recently a cardio-vascular test revealed that my arteries were plaque free. The combination of regular exercise and nutritious eating habits continues to make a difference in my well being. Life- long walking has also, given me the necessary strength to include some competitive running, tennis, biking, hiking, and down - hill skiing into my exercise routine. However, walking has proven to be my therapeutic choice, because it never injures my back causing a disc to rupture.

President Thomas Jefferson strongly believed that walking was the best possible exercise, because it improved mental and physical health.

Regular walking allows an easy means of transportation along with a safe and affordable form of cardio- vascular exercise. It definitely helps one to take aging in stride.

Posted at 12:57 PM in Walking | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)