聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 Members of the Preeceville Walking Club have been walking for the betterment of their physical and mental health, beginning on November 2.
The group plans to conclude its season at the end of March. The walking program is hosted at the Preeceville Legion hall and is open to everyone.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淲alking is good for everyone,鈥� said Jackie Blotski, co-ordinator. 鈥淚t is something everyone can do at his or her own pace.
鈥淲e walk every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.,鈥� Blotski said. 鈥淲e have 15 to 20 walkers, mostly women, but with a few men joining in which is very pleasant to see.
鈥淲alking also helps with weight loss, controlling blood pressure and has numerous other health benefits,鈥� she said.
Walking is the number one preferred physical activity for Canadians. It has many benefits from being a way of getting from one place to another to improving one鈥檚 health and sense of well-being, said a release. 鈥淲alking makes you feel better and more energetic. It鈥檚 a good way to relax, an enjoyable way to visit with family and friends, a natural way to move that is practically injury-free, it strengthens bones and can help control one鈥檚 weight.
"Staying motivated is easy,鈥� Blotski said. 鈥淢aking a habit of walking takes about three weeks to a month. Walk with other people, make a contract with yourself, set measurable goals and reward yourself when you achieve them. Learn as much as you can about walking, organize special walks with different themes, use walking to help others and make a personal log to keep track of the number of times you walk, how far and how long."
The walkers had an opportunity to get a hands-on look at and experience with Nordic walking poles.
"We had Jessica Lewgood of Estevan come in and talk about these special poles that can be used for indoor or outdoor walking,鈥� she said. 鈥淪he was sponsored by Saskatchewan Senior Fitness and showed us a set of two different poles. One set helped with balance and posture and the other helped increase fitness level.鈥�
