Creston’s 2016 Walk with your Doc was a success on May 12, with nine doctors and over 50 community participants, ranging in age from toddler to the young at heart.
Everyone chipped in and helped out, from Laura of the Creston and District Community Complex, who led a warmup, then took on participants on the walk, to balloon people to an enthusiastic group. The weather even co-operated — perfect cool temperatures and the rain held off.
The idea of Walk with your Doc is to highlight the health benefits of incorporating physical activity in daily life. Activity helps improve physical, mental and emotional health. This year, the walk went along Canyon Street through town, along the Millennium Trail to Millennium Park then back to the Creston and District Community Complex.
Walk with your Doc is an initiative started in 2010 by the Doctors of BC. This year, there were over 50 walks planned around the province.
Since 2010, Walk With Your Doc has been spreading the word to British Columbians about the health benefits of daily walking. Each year, during the week of May 10, the World Health Organization’s international Move for Health Day, doctors across B.C. host walking events for their patients and often for their community too. To date, over 200 walks have been organized, with hundreds of doctors and thousands of people participating. Walkers receive a free pedometer (while supplies last) to help track their steps and continue their healthier lifestyle.
BC doctors prescribe walking to patients as a preventive measure against chronic illness. Visit walkwithyourdoc.ca/why-walk to learn the associated health benefits of walking.
Walk With Your Doc is a grassroots initiative of Doctors of BC’s council on health promotion (COHP). The first event was started in Vancouver by Dr. Ron Wilson, chair of the athletic and recreation committee, who wanted to make a meaningful difference for his patients in a simple and fun way. The idea took hold, and COHP turned it into an annual event. Each year, Walk With Your Doc grows in numbers and in 2014 held a record-breaking 58 walks, with 300 doctors and 2,700 participants.
This year Doctors of BC had the support of the Physiotherapy Association of BC and the BC Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA). Both associations are dedicated to increasing physical activity and improving overall health and wellness of British Columbians.
To learn more about Doctors of BC, visit DoctorsofBC.ca.
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