The Heart Foundation is encouraging people who are keen to take up walking to give it a go this Heart Week (May 4 to May 10), with walk events across the nation.
Northern Rivers walking groups include Suffolk Park Wanderers, Alstonville Health Warriors, Heart and Sole Pottsville, Goonellabah Wanderers, East Lismore Walkers, Kingscliff Wanderers, Banora Point Walkers, and Walking For Pleasure (Tweed Heads).
You can join an existing group or start your own here.
Walk for heart
For more than 30 years, the Heart Foundation Walking program has supported hundreds of thousands of people across Australia to start and stay walking.
Beginning in Queensland as the Just Walk It program in 1995, Heart Foundation Walking now boasts hundreds of groups across the nation.
‘Heart Foundation Walking is free, but the benefits are priceless. It’s come-one-come-all, with groups walking all year round in over 830 locations across the country,’ exercise physiologist and Heart Foundation physical activity advisor, Elizabeth Calleja, said.
‘At the Heart Foundation, we work every day to achieve our goal of heart health equity for everyone. We do this by supporting more people to be active by building and supporting a community of walkers.
Our Heart Foundation Walking program is Australia’s largest free walking network and offers people a variety of locations and ways to walk with us,’ said Ms Calleja.
‘The Heart Week Walk events aim to highlight the importance of regular physical activity in preventing heart disease, which continues to be Australia’s leading cause of death.’
Advantages of regular walking:
- Lowers risk of heart disease and stroke .
- Helps manage blood pressure and cholesterol and body weight .
- Helps prevent and manage type 2 diabetes .
- Supports bone strength, balance and coordination (reduces falls/fractures risk) .
- Boosts mental wellbeing (improves mood, memory/focus; can reduce stress/anxiety).
- Builds social connection and overall wellbeing when walking with others.
You can find out more about Heart Foundation Walking and groups in your area here.
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