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

© 2009 Aerie River. All rights reserved.

WWTD July 6 & 7, 2010

We held "Walk with the Doc" for the second time in both Yarmouth and Portland last week.

As part of our Yarmouth walk, Ian Gamble of Full Circle Synergy reviewed the T'ai Chi movement called "spring rain gently falling," before moving on to the movement he referred to as "gathering energy to the three centers of energy." According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the three major centers of energy in the body are the mind, the heart and the 'dan tian,' which is located in the abdomen.

Our Yarmouth group is pictured below. This brave ensemble gathered despite heat that climbed into the nineties, and included two of our frequent DocWalkers from last year (hat-wearers Jane and Roy) as well as two visitors from Maryland.

 

At our Cumberland Farmers Market stop at the Yarmouth Town Hall Green, we found some live chickens, being kept cool in the shade of a large tree.

Though we did not purchase any chickens, we did buy some cauliflower and purple Romaine lettuce.  These were available through Jillson's Farm and Sugar House  (Sabattus). While at the Jillson's kiosk, we reviewed the anti-cancer properties of cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli and cabbage.

Romaine lettuce (pictured below) is most often recognized as the main ingredient in Caesar salads.

Our Walk with the Doc/Portland group trekked up Congress Street to Munjoy Hill last week.  The Portland group enjoyed the benefits of Ian's wisdom, as we performed the movements noted above while standing on a picturesque spot on the Eastern Prom, overlooking Casco Bay.

Our small, but very lovable Portland group from last week consisted of Ralph, Jo, my daughter, Sophie, and yours truly.  Sophie declined to be photographed:) 

 
Join us for our next Walk with the Doc/Yarmouth tomorrow (Tuesday, July 13th) from 12-1:30 pm, beginning at the Sparhawk Mill, 81 Bridge Street.

This week's Walk with the Doc/Portland will meet on Wednesday, July 14 at 12 pm at the Maine Bank & Trust Building Congress Street Entrance on Monument Square.

For more information, call us at 847-9393 or email info@drlisabelisle.com.

DocWalking--June 2010

DocWalkers took the the streets in two Maine locales last week as we held "Walk with the Doc"  for the first time in both Yarmouth and Portland.

As per usual, our Yarmouth route followed the Royal River path, up East Elm to Main Street, then back down Bridge Street.  Two of our DocWalkers took a slightly shorter route, up a path past the Rowe School toward the Yarmouth Town Hall Green.  This year we are offering this option to those who feel they may want to go a little slower or walk a shorter distance.

Ian Gamble of Portland's Full Circle Synergy helped with flexibility and conditioning movements at three stops along the Yarmouth route.  These movements, based on the practices of T'ai Chi and Qigong, also helped walkers move their 'Chi' (the Chinese word for energy, as mentioned in a previous post). 

Last week's movements began with a focus on balance, as Ian discussed standing and walking properly, with a particular emphasis on the mid-foot.  The mid-foot happens to be the beginning of the 'kidney meridian.'  According to Chinese Medicine practitioners, meridians are the pathways in the body through which energy flows. The beginning of the kidney meridian is sometimes called the 'bubbling well' or 'surging spring' point. In acupuncture, we often stimulate an area near this point to help with insomnia.

Ian also showed us a T'ai Chi movement called "Spring Rain Gently Falling."

You'll notice that there were many references to water in our T'ai Chi discussion, which is appropriate given our river route.

 

Ian is pictured above, reviewing a balanced approach to walking with one of our DocWalkers.

Our Yarmouth group made a final stop at the Cumberland Farmers Market at the Yarmouth Town Hall Green, where we discussed the health benefits of honey.  This was being sold by Jillson's Farm and Sugar House from Sabattus.  Studies have shown that local honey can be used to help with environmental allergies (pollen, trees, etc).  It is also a flavorful substitution for sugar, in small amounts.  I suggest that patients of mine who are doing "Dr. Lisa's 90 Day Better Body Plan" use honey instead of sugar if they wish to sweeten their green tea.

The rest of our Yarmouth DocWalking crowd (Linda, Ginny and Jane) from last week is pictured below.

Our Walk with the Doc/Portland group also enjoyed the benefits of Ian's wisdom as I explained the importance of the kidney meridian, and lead them in the "Spring Rain Gently Falling" movement under the trees in Deering Oaks Park.

The Portland group finished its walk at the  Monument Square Farmers Market , where we discussed the health benefits of and preparation techniques for fennel, which we found at the Fishbowl Farm stand (this farm is located in Bowdoinham).

For a delicious fruit salad recipe using shaved fennel, visit our Bountiful Life WLOB blog post.

Here is our Portland DocWalking group (Hannah, Dolores, Jo & Ralph) from last week, pictured (at Dolores' request) in front of a unique shingled farm truck in Monument Square.

Join us for our next Walk with the Doc/Yarmouth tomorrow (Tuesday, July 6th) from 12-1:30 pm, beginning at the Sparhawk Mill, 81 Bridge Street.

This week's Walk with the Doc/Portland will meet on Wednesday, July 7 at 12 pm at the Maine Bank & Trust Building Congress Street Entrance on Monument Square.

For more information, call us at 847-9393 or email info@drlisabelisle.com.

Yarmouth DocWalking 2010: a Little Bit of Chi

Last Tuesday was our first "Walk with the Doc/Yarmouth" of 2010 and and the energy was palpable!

Unlike DocWalking/Portland, which takes different routes around Maine's largest city each week, the Yarmouth walk follows the Royal River path with some consistency.  This year, however, we've added a little "Chi."  Or, more accurately, we've decided to focus on the chi that is already part of our weekly walks.

Chi (pronounced "chee," and sometimes spelled "Qi") is the ancient Chinese term for energy.  In acupuncture, we use needles to move the Chi, or energy, that flows in the body.

T'ai Chi (officially called T'ai Chi Ch'uan) is a physical practice that uses gentle exercises to move energy in the body. Qigong, a 'cousin' of T'ai Chi, also helps the body to move energy, through movement and breathwork. 

I recommend that all of my patients incorporate T'ai Chi, Qigong, and/or other energy-moving practices such as yoga, into their daily schedules.  These promote strength, flexibility and balance, as well as mental well-being.  They are also very good for rounding out a traditional 'aerobic' exercise routine, and tend to promote healing in those with illness or injuries.

This year our DocWalking group is incorporating a few simple T'ai Chi movements into our walking routine (for those who are interested), with the help of Ian Gamble of Portland's Full Circle Synergy.

Ian is pictured below, along with the rest of our Yarmouth DocWalking crowd from last week.

Note the inclusion of our furry friend, Max. 
Here is another picture of Max, taken by my daughter (the youngest human member of our DocWalking group)...

 
It seems oddly appropriate that Max would be present, given that people often fail to understand the "Walk with the Doc" concept, believing instead that we are going on a "Walk with the Dog."  They have also thought we might be going on a "Walk with the Duck."

I can't really explain the logic.

Nor can I explain the pained look on my daughter's face in the group photo. 

I can, however, explain the importance of farmers markets.  Purveyors of fabulously fresh, locally grown produce (such as these early tomatoes, purchased from Valley View Farm), farmers markets have been a part of our family's routine for years.

The Monument Square Farmers Market was a part of the Portland Walk with the Doc in May, and will be again starting this Wednesday. This year, we are also able to incorporate a farmers markets into the Yarmouth DocWalk, through a stop at the Cumberland Farmers Market at the Yarmouth Town Hall Green. 

This is the first year that the Cumberland Farmers Market has been set-up on Tuesdays.  It takes place from 11-3.

Here are some snap peas, also from Valley View Farm in Auburn.  I'll write more about these on the Bountiful Blog...

In the meantime, join us for our next Walk with the Doc/Yarmouth tomorrow (Tuesday, June 28th) from 12-1:30 pm, beginning at the Sparhawk Mill, 81 Bridge Street.

For more information, call us at 847-9393 or email info@drlisabelisle.com.

Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and come prepared for the weather..and don't forget to bring your Chi!

 

DocWalking/Portland--"Secret Garden"

Walk with the Doc/Portland: back by popular demand!

We will be resuming "Walk with the Doc/Portland," this Wednesday, June 30th at noon.  Initially scheduled to last just four sessions in May, our DocWalkers asked that the Portland adventures be extended into the summer months.  I look forward to seeing each of them--and anyone else who would like to join us--this week!

Our final May WWTD/Portland jaunt, sponsored by the MaineHealth Learning Resource Center, took us down Commercial Street, along Portland's waterfront, and back up India Street. One of our Portland DocWalkers, photographer Richard Sandifer, graciously invited us for a stopover at his India Street studio garden along the way. Thus our May 26 outing earned the "secret garden walk" designation.

I've had the good fortune to know Richard and his wife, Monica Gonzales, since 2008, when Richard donated his services for the release party of Our Daily Tread,a book created to benefit the children of Safe Passage. 

Taken at the Portland Museum of Art, Richard's striking photos--along with daily quotes and other information about the book--are available for viewing on Our Daily Tread's Facebook page.

Note: We encourage you to become a fan of Our Daily Tread's Facebook page, or visit the website. Once you've seen the book, we know you'll want to purchase a book to support this worthy cause.

Richard and Monica went on to raise money independently for Safe Passage through one of their yearly "open studios." They plan to do this again on Friday, September 17th.  For more information, visit Richard's website.

My husband and I also know Monica through her job as an educator: she was a long-term substitute teacher for our son's high school Spanish class.  She is now a full time teacher at Windham. I'm always amazed by the number of connections people have by virtue of living in Maine!

As part of the "secret garden walk," Richard graciously took time from his busy schedule (he had a photography shoot right after we left) to discuss one of his pet projects. Richard and Monica have been nurturing their garden for many years. Richard has created all of the garden features by hand, including walkways made from bricks salvaged off of Portland's East End Beach. 

As Richard writes on his blog:

Upon entering the garden, a sprawling brick patio awaits; as you turn the corner at the garden shed, the hill slopes upward, leading into a man-made canyon formed by the soaring brick wall of St. Peterʼs Italian Catholic church. The garden features a series of patios, steps and walls built from brick, cobblestone, and naturally formed granite. Much of the material in the garden has been salvaged from various sites, so these stones have a rich history of Old Port foot and hoof traffic. Leafy hostas provide a lush green background for plantings that include a variety of wildflowers, as well as hanging terra cotta pots whose chains create a track for the racing morning glory vines which grow vigorously skyward."
 

Richard's garden is so impressive that it was part of the Portland Education Foundation's "Secret Garden Tour" last weekend.

In addition to our own private DocWalk garden tour, Richard also shared a much-appreciated pitcher of ice water. 

We each left with our thirst quenched and one of Richard's prized Morning Glory Seedlings in hand.

Here is a picture of our "secret garden" DocWalking group:

 

And a picture of our friend, and very loyal DocWalker, Ralph:

On this week's WWTD/Portland, we will revisit a route we took in May: down Congress Street, through Deering Oaks Park, past the City of Portland's Community Health Center and the Preble Street Center/Wayside Soup Kitchen. We will finish at the Monument Square Farmers Market. 

Join us this Wednesday, June 30th, beginning at 465 Congress St, Portland (Maine Bank & Trust Building, ATM Entrance).  Remember, wear comfortable shoes and come prepared for the weather. Also come prepared for a little bit of T'ai Chi. 

More info on T'ai Chi/DocWalking on the next blog post.

Our next Yarmouth Walk with the Doc of 2010 will begin at the Sparhawk Mill, tomorrow at noon.

For more information, call us at 847-9393 or email info@drlisabelisle.com.

DocWalking/Portland--"Poetry" & "Park Promenade"

Yes, we DO have DocWalking--rain or shine!

 
Last week was our third "Walk with the Doc/Portland," sponsored by the MaineHealth Learning Resource Center. Because of the weather, our group consisted of only two people, but Liz & I enjoyed our "Promenade in the Park" nonetheless.  Our slightly drizzly 'promenade' took us down Congress Street, through Deering Oaks Park, past the City of Portland's Community Health Center and the Preble Street Center/Wayside Soup Kitchen.

During week 2, our "Poetry in Motion" walk brought us past the Wadsworth-Longfellow House on Congress Street to Longfellow Square, where we paused briefly by the statue of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Longfellow is one of Portland's most famous poets, and (like me) a graduate of Bowdoin College in Brunswick. 

Side note: as a child, one of my favorite Longfellow poems was The Village Blacksmith, which begins:

Under a spreading chestnut tree
The village smithy stands;
The Smith, a mighty man is he,
With large and sinewy hands
And the muscles of his brawny arms,
Are as strong as iron bands.

Don't ask me why this particular poem was of interest to me.  Something about the chestnut tree, I think, or perhaps the brawny arms...

After our pause, we continued down State Street to Spring Street, past the Portland Museum of Art, and back up to Congress Street through the Old Port.

Here is a picture of our "Poetry" DocWalking group:

The "Poetry" group included our special MaineHealth guest, Dr. Vance Brown (third from right). Dr. Brown is the Chief Medical Officer at MaineHealth.

Once we returned to Monument Square, our Farmers Market chat focused on spring parsnips, which, though spindly, are quite sweet and often used in place of carrots. 

We also discussed salad-making using fresh greens.

Join us for DocWalking tomorrow (Wednesday, May 26th) from 12-1 pm, beginning at 465 Congress St, Portland (Maine Bank & Trust Building, ATM Entrance). For more information, click here or call 1.866.609.5183.

The theme of tomorrow's walk will be "On the Waterfront." Our route will follow Commercial Street to India Street, where we will make a special stop at the studio of photographer Richard Sandifer, who will share his beautifully crafted patio garden with us.

Wear comfortable shoes and come prepared for the weather!  Remember: we DO have DocWalking--rain or shine!

Our next Yarmouth Walk with the Doc will begin in June. For more information, call us at 847-9393 or email info@drlisabelisle.com.

DocWalking/Portland--"Observation"

Last Wednesday was our first "Walk with the Doc/Portland," sponsored by the MaineHealth Learning Resource Center.

The walk's theme was "Observation," as our wanderings took us up Congress Street to the Portland Observatory on Munjoy Hill.  The Portland Observatory was created in 1807 by Captain Lemuel Moody as a signal tower for ships in Casco Bay.

According to the Greater Portland Landmarks website, the Observatory "Stands 221 feet above sea level...[and] is open to the public during the summer months.

At the top of Munjoy Hill, our group (minus MaineHealth Learning Resource Center health educator Jean Kolb) paused for a quick pic under the lilacs...

Note: to the far right in the photo above is our special MaineHealth guest, Julie Osgood. Julie is the Senior Director of Operations in Clinical Integration at MaineHealth and the captain of MaineHealth's Trek Across Maine team, which raises money for the Maine chapter of the American Lung Association. 

Our walk ended at in Monument Square, at the Portland Farmers Market, with a discussion of basil plants and the use of basil in cooking (for a delicious walnut pesto, click here).  We also touched on the topic of "Community- Supported Agriculture."

This Wednesday's walk will take us to Longfellow Square, as we celebrate one of Portland's most famous poets, and engage in "Poetry in Motion." Our special MaineHealth guest will be Dr. Vance Brown, Chief Medical Officer at MaineHealth.

Join us for DocWalking tomorrow (Wednesday, May 12th) from 12-1 pm, beginning at 465 Congress St, Portland (Maine Bank & Trust Building, ATM Entrance).

Wear comfortable shoes and come prepared for the weather! 

For more information, click here or call 1.866.609.5183.

Our next Yarmouth Walk with the Doc will begin in June. For more information, call us at 847-9393 or email info@drlisabelisle.com.

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.

                                   

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.

                                                                                                  

DocWalking 9/29/09

Final river walk of 2009, capped off by a visit to Yarmouth's Royal Bean.  See you in 2010!

DocWalking 9/22/09

Kathy brings a furry friend:)