Talking about getting out and exercising is one thing but actually doing it is an entirely different matter.
To literally walk the talk, the Canadian Diabetes Association offers Prince George residents a 10-week Walk & Talk program starting Saturday, where a guest speaker will take on the subject of making healthier lifestyle choices before everyone heads out for a 40 to 50 minute weekly walk at different locations around the city.
Everyone participating can be assured there is a pace set for all fitness levels.
With as many as 70 people taking part during each session held since 2014, experience has shown best practice is for leaders to set the pace up front while other volunteers are at the end of the procession to make sure everyone is comfortable and no one is left behind during their exercise session.
"We always bring in speakers and we have literature and a lot of other things that address living with diabetes but we had nothing practical to offer and physical activity is something that you can talk about until you're blue in the face but people will not get out there and move unless there is motivation," said Boyanne Young, northern region branch coordinator, Canadian Diabetes Association. "I like to have somebody to walk with and I love the outdoors so I put it out there that we should walk the trails around Prince George."
On the first day, participants are asked to fill out a survey before they start that lets them know where they're at with their physical activity and their health in general and they are asked to do it again at the end of those 10 weeks to see the changes they have undergone during the program, added Young.
"The program has totally surpassed my expectations," said Young. "It blew me away. We were getting between 60 and 70 walkers a week and it would snow and it just didn't matter."
People were eager to attend this self-management program.
"Participants are also encouraged to check in with each other as they work on their action plan to achieve their goals toward making healthier, realistic, and sustainable changes," said Young.
The Walk & Talk program is geared to create a sense of community among individuals with common goals and enable each participant to improve their diabetes health, added Young.
To register and for further information on the Walk & Talk series call 250-561-9284 or email [email protected].
