Katelyn Moorman – Staff Writer
According to the American Heart Association, walking can lower one’s chances of heart disease. Due to how walking is considered a low impact, it is easier on the joints than running. That means with a doctor’s approval, walking is safe for people with “orthopedic ailments, heart conditions, and those who are more than 20% overweight”. Walk with a Doc’s website also says that someone “can gain two hours of life for each hour of regular exercise”. Out of the 100 reasons listed on Walk with a Doc’s website to participate in their frequent walks, the first 10 reasons are: walking lowers “bad” cholesterol (LDL), increases “good” cholesterol (HDL), prevents and reduces high blood pressure, can reduce heart attacks by 86% ( when combined with healthy lifestyle choices), can reduce the risk of a stroke by up to 50%, can lower resting heart rate to make the heart more efficient, improves cardiovascular endurance and performance, improves circulation, keeps lungs healthy, and strengthens breathing muscles.
Walk with a Doc was created in Columbus, OH in 2005 by Dr. David Sabgir in an attempt to encourage people to be more active. Walk with a Doc now has connections and events throughout the country, one of which is in Laramie. The company describes the program as being “for everyone interested in taking steps for a healthier lifestyle”. Participants walk at their own pace and are given the opportunity to talk with local physicians during the event. There are no special rules to follow or required gear, Walk with a Doc says to simply “put on a pair of comfortable shoes and walk alone, with friends, a partner…or with a group”.
Sagan Wheeler, Physician Recruiter from Ivinson Memorial Hospital said that Walk with a Doc came to Laramie through Dr. Emma Bjore, who participated in Walk with a Doc events during her fellowship in Colorado. Wheeler said that Bjore thought the program was great for promoting physical activity and great for the community.
This is the third year that Ivinson Memorial Hospital has sponsored Walk with a Doc events. Wheeler said that she encourages everyone to come to these events, not just to get active, but because Walk with a Doc helps to “build the community” and provides an “education component”. Before each walk, there is a brief talk (around five minutes long) which educates the community on health-related topics. Previous talks, according to Wheeler, have ranged from “skin care and melanoma prevention” to dieting and nutrition. These talks have featured campus-led organizations which focus on health and nutrition, health care providers, and various physicians. Ivinson Memorial Hospital’s website details Walk with a Doc as a “national organization focused on encouraging healthy physical activity while reversing the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle”. The process of a Walk with a Doc event is simple, according to Ivinson Memorial Hospital. Just sign in, listen to a local health-care provider speak on a health-related topic, and then walk for the rest of the event.
Walk with a Doc events are held during the 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month from 1:30-2:30pm. The event will be held in the University of Wyoming’s indoor track during the winter, and Washington Park on Sheridan Street during the fall. The lead physician for the Laramie events is Dr. Emma Bjore, Geriatrics. The event is free to attend, and the next event will be on Oct 20.
