April 4 is National Walk to Work Day
Sacramento, CA (PRWEB) March 31, 2014 -- Walking is man's best medicine. – Hippocrates
The California Podiatric Medical Association (CPMA) is encouraging Californians to save on gas and beef-up the family budget, buff that heart muscle, battle the bulge, and beat the blues by ditching the car and taking a brisk walk to work on Friday, April 4th to celebrate National Walk to Work Day and kick off April’s Foot Health Awareness Month.
Created by the US Department of Health and Human Services and endorsed and promoted by Prevention Magazine, the California Podiatric Medical Association along with a number of other health care oriented organizations across the nation to promote healthier living, National Walk to Work Day will celebrate its 10th Anniversary in 2014.
Held the first Friday in April, National Walk to Work Day began as a way to help address Americans’ increasingly sedentary lifestyles and the resulting dramatic increase in the nation’s waistline. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) between 2009 and 2010 more than one-third (35.7%) of American adults and 17% of children and adolescents were obese.
The aim of National Walk to Work Day is to increase awareness of the damaging and costly effects of obesity, including (according to the CDC) increased risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and certain types of cancer, and to show how something as simple and inexpensive as taking a walk can lead to improved overall health.
“The cost of our living increasingly sedentary lifestyles is staggering,” says California Podiatric Medical Association President Dr. Carolyn McAloon, a podiatric physician and surgeon practicing in Castro Valley, California.
“Study after study indicates that moderate exercise for as little as 30 minutes per day can reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, stress, and depression. By walking at a moderate pace for just 30 to 60 minutes each day, you are giving yourself proven health benefits far beyond any promised by a pill,” says Dr. McAloon.
The California Podiatric Medical Association (CPMA) offers some simple tips to help celebrate the 10th Anniversary of National Walk to Work Day:
Leave the car at home as a great first step toward building more exercise into a workday schedule.
• If possible walk or bike to work to celebrate the day.
• Take public transportation and walk to work from a bus stop.
• Park as far as possible from your building and walk across the parking lot.
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
• Invite co-workers and enjoy a brisk lunchtime walk.
• Participate in a community walk after work with friends or family.
• Use a pedometer to help you log more steps.
• Finally, make sure to wear a good pair of comfortable walking shoes. If feet hurt after walking one is less likely to make it a regular routine.
“The journey to better health can be as simple as taking a walk,” said Dr. McAloon. “It comes to us human beings naturally. In addition to almost all of us being able to do it with relative ease, it is also inexpensive. All you really need is a good, comfortable, properly fitting pair of walking shoes.”
“And remember,” Dr. McAloon concluded, “Your feet shouldn’t hurt. Don’t ignore foot pain – it’s not normal and could be a symptom of a serious underlying systemic disease such as diabetes. If foot pain is ongoing or recurring, see a podiatric physician for evaluation and treatment.”
To find a local licensed podiatric physician visit http://www.CalPMA.org.
Founded in 1912, the California Podiatric Medical Association (CPMA) is the leading and recognized professional organization for doctors of podiatric medicine (DPMs). DPMs are podiatric physicians and surgeons, also known as podiatrists, qualified by their education, training and experience to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and structures of the leg.
CPMA, keeping Californians on their Feet – Healthy, Active and Productive!
2430 K Street, Suite 200, Sacramento, California 95816
(800) 794-8988 ● (916) 448-0248 ● Fax (916) 448-0258
http://www.calpma.org
Althea Finley, California Podiatric Medical Association, http://www.calpma.org/, 800-794-8988, [email protected]
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